Current affairs

Finland applies a holistic approach to democracy. Democracy is inextricably associated to human rights, rule of law, good governance and to anti-corruption. Democracy is more than civil and political rights, it is also about economic, social and cultural rights. Due to historical circumstances, differences in cultures, and stage of development, democracy is practiced in diverse forms around the world. Many democracies face challenges with issues such as gender, corruption, law and order.

New ambassadorial appointments to Washington, Alger, Brussels, Mission to NATO, Tel Aviv, Kathmandu and Dar es Salaam

On Thursday 10 February, the Government decided to propose to the President of the Republic seven new appointments. The President of the Republic will appoint the Ambassadors in the presidential session on Friday 11 February.

”Finland operates as an intermediary in a regional project to support energy partnerships between various players,” says counsellor Katriina Koivisto, describing the three-year-long project launched this year in eight East African and Southern African countries.

The Baltic Sea Action Summit that was held in Helsinki on Wednesday, 10 February was a success in the opinion of the arrangers. The summit attracted a large and high-level group of participants to Finlandia Hall to tell about their commitments to protect the Baltic Sea. The summit was hosted by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and Mr Ilkka Herlin, the Chairman of the Baltic Sea Action Group, who together convened the summit.

Africa’s strategic importance is constantly increasing. The continent should not be considered merely from the perspective of development policy but also from wider viewpoints of security and trade, Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb emphasised on 8 February at the launch of the policy paper “Africa in Finland’s Foreign Policy”.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen has granted the sum of seven million euros for establishment of the Dar es Salaam Institute for Sustainable Development in Tanzania. The Cabinet Finance Committee approved the appropriation in its session on 23 September. The funding now granted will be disbursed during the years 2009–2012.

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb will participate in the Nordic–African Foreign Ministers Meeting, to take place in Helsingør, Denmark on 11–12 March. This informal forum of dialogue has been convened since 2001, the site alternating between the Nordic countries and Africa. At the meeting, the foreign ministers of the Nordic countries and ten African countries exchange ideas on topical issues.

Finland and Tanzania conducted negotiations regarding forms for development cooperation at the beginning of October. A decision was taken to continue processes proven to be good, and new opportunities opened up as well.

No decision has been made by the Government of Finland to cut aid to Tanzania.