Current Affairs
- 16.2.2026
Joint likeminded statement on the occasion of the second anniversary of Alexei Navalny`s death on 16 February 2024
Joint Statement by Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, 16 February 2026.
Statements - 16.2.2026
Minister Adlercreutz’s trip to Greenland has been cancelled
The visit was cancelled because the connecting flight to Greenland was cancelled due to weather conditions.
Press releases - 15.2.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territory
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territory on 15–16 February.
Press releases - 13.2.2026
Minister Adlercreutz to attend meeting of ministers for Nordic cooperation in Copenhagen
Minister Anders Adlercreutz, who is responsible for Nordic cooperation will travel to Copenhagen to attend a meeting of the ministers for Nordic cooperation on 18 February.
Press releases - 12.2.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend Munich Security Conference
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany on 13–14 February. At the conference, she will speak at a high-level event on comprehensive security.
Press releases - 11.2.2026
Foreign Ministry’s consular services assist over 245,000 Finns around the world in 2025
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 245,000 customers in 2025. In addition, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 6,700 times over the course of the year.
Press releases - 9.2.2026
Swedish Foreign Minister to attend Hanalys foreign policy forum in Finland
Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will visit Finland on 10 February. Minister Malmer Stenergard has been invited by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen to attend the Hanalys foreign and security policy forum in Hanaholmen on 10 February.
Press releases - 6.2.2026
Finland to Strengthen Gender Equality Efforts in Ukraine with EUR 3 Million Contribution to UN Women’s Ukraine Country Programme
Finland will allocate EUR 3 million to support UN Women’s Ukraine Country Programme for the years 2026–2028. This long term commitment underscores Finland’s dedication to advancing the rights of women and girls and contributing to Ukraine’s reconstruction. Strengthening gender equality also supports Ukraine’s path toward EU approximation.
Press releases - 5.2.2026
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to visit Finland
Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, will visit Helsinki on 5 February and meet Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. Their discussions will focus on the current situation within foreign and security policy.
Press releases - 5.2.2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković to visit Helsinki
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković will visit Helsinki on 6 February and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
Press releases - 4.2.2026
Finland launches EUR 20 million project to support education in Ukraine
Finland is boosting its support for the reform of Ukraine’s education system through Learning2gether2. The project is a EUR 20 million investment in Ukraine’s EU approximation, reconstruction and long-term education reform. It will be implemented in 2026–2029.
Press releases - 3.2.2026
Minister Tavio to visit Washington D.C. to promote Finnish-US commercial cooperation
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Washington D.C. in the United States from 4 to 5 February. The aim of the visit is to expand relations with the US administration and to discuss topical commercial and economic issues and bilateral relations between the two countries.
Press releases - 3.2.2026
State Secretary Rajala to visit Washington DC
Pasi Rajala, State Secretary to Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, will visit Washington D.C. in the United States on 3–4 February.
Press releases - 30.1.2026
Finland’s Consulate General in Houston to begin provision of consular services
On 30 January 2026, the President of the Republic approved an amendment to the Annex to the Decree of the President of the Republic on the Locations of Finland’s Diplomatic Missions and the Provision of Consular Services in the Foreign Service.
Press releases - 28.1.2026
EU foreign ministers to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Middle East and situation in African Great Lakes Region
EU foreign affairs ministers will convene for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 29 January. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Press releases - 26.1.2026
African Development Bank President, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah to visit Helsinki
The President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, will visit Helsinki on Monday 26 January. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier development financier on the African continent and a key partner for Finland in advancing sustainable economic growth and development in Africa at a time when global economic and security policy shifts are reshaping development funding.
Press releases - 23.1.2026
Statement by the Nordic Baltic States on Russia’s destruction of energy infrastructure in Ukraine
Joint statement by the the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden on 23 January 2026.
Statements - 23.1.2026
Minister Tavio to join Team Finland trade mission to Poland
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Warsaw on 26–27 January with a business delegation focusing on comprehensive security and the energy industry. This will be the first Team Finland trade mission since the reform of its international operations.
Press releases - 22.1.2026
Public Sector Investment Facility, PIF Concept Review 2026 opened
The Public Sector Investment Facility (PIF) is one of Finland’s development policy instruments for financing investments in developing countries. PIF provides financial support to such public sector projects in developing countries that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that make use of Finnish technology and expertise.
News - 16.1.2026
Ministers Valtonen and Tavio to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 19–23 January. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the meeting.
Press releases - 16.1.2026
Appointments of non-resident Ambassadors to Bolivia and to Bosnia and Herzegovina
At the presidential session on 16 January, the President of the Republic appointed non-resident Ambassadors to Bolivia and to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Press releases - 16.1.2026
Call for project support applications for 2027–2030 opens for Finnish civil society organisations
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has opened a call for applications for project support available for Finnish civil society organisations (CSOs). The call is open from 16 January to 27 February. Applications can be submitted for discretionary government grants for development cooperation projects in 2027–2030. The grant is awarded from the development cooperation appropriations for Finnish CSOs’ development cooperation.
News - 16.1.2026
International Press Center closes
The International Press Center (IPC), which has been administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, is closing. The reasons for the closure are the center's reduced activity in recent years and the need to allocate resources to other communications activities.
Press releases - 15.1.2026
Crisis preparedness from media literacy to ocean currents – Nordic cooperation under Finland's and Åland's Co-Presidency in 2025
Finland and Åland led the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025. The priorities for the Co-Presidency were children and youth as well as societal security.
News - 15.1.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Lithuania
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will meet Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys in Vilnius on 16 January.
Press releases - 14.1.2026
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to visit Helsinki
Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Yvette Cooper will visit Helsinki on 14 January and meet Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. In addition to discussing bilateral matters, the ministers will visit the Finnish Border Guard patrol vessel Turva to to be briefed the security situation in the Baltic Sea.
Press releases - 10.1.2026
Finland’s withdrawal from Ottawa Convention to take effect
Finland’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention will take effect on 10 January. Finland remains committed to the humanitarian objectives of the Ottawa Convention.
Press releases - 9.1.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend security conference in Sälen
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend a security conference in Sälen, Sweden, on 12 January.
Press releases - 8.1.2026
Pia Nyblom appointed as Foreign Ministry’s Director General of Administrative Services
On Thursday 8 January, the Government appointed Pia Nyblom as Director General of Administrative Services at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Press releases - 7.1.2026
One year at the helm of the OSCE: an overview of Finland’s 2025 Chairpersonship
Finland’s term as Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ended on the last day of 2025. Last year marked 50 years since the CSCE meeting in Helsinki and the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. The principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago because they represent the essence of humanity: the yearning for freedom, cooperation and peace.
News - 6.1.2026
Joint Statement by the Nordic Foreign Ministers on Greenland
Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on 6 January 2026
Statements - 5.1.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit German state of Bavaria
On 7-8 January 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit the German state of Bavaria, where she will attend a meeting of the parliamentary group of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) in Seeon Abbey. She will also meet representatives of Finnish and German companies in Munich.
Press releases - 2.1.2026
Unified export promotion network serves Finnish companies worldwide
As of 1 January, the foreign operations of Business Finland related to export promotion have been integrated into the structures of the Finnish Foreign Service. The reform will strengthen the Team Finland network and provide a better platform for a unified team for export promotion.
Press releases - 30.12.2025
Joint Statement on the Gaza Humanitarian Response
Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, 30 December 2025
Statements - 23.12.2025
Season's Greetings and Happy New Year
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland wishes everybody a joyous holiday season and a happy and peaceful New Year 2026!
News - 22.12.2025
Ministry for Foreign Affairs decree on fees for 2026 enters into force
The new decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on fees charged for services provided by the Finnish Foreign Service in 2026 enters into force on 1 January 2026. As the decree does not propose any adjustments to the fees, the current fees for services will remain unchanged.
Press releases - 22.12.2025
Non-resident Ambassador appointed to Vanuatu
At the presidential session on 22 December, the President of the Republic appointed a non-resident Ambassador to Vanuatu.
Press releases - 19.12.2025
New measures to boost Finnish food exports
The Finnish Government has made progress on its objective of doubling food exports by 2031. Business Finland’s foreign operations will be integrated into the structures of the Foreign Service, creating new opportunities to boost food exports through enhanced cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Press releases - 17.12.2025
Finland to support sustainable economic growth and industrialisation in Africa through African Development Fund
Finland will participate in the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (AfDF-17) to support sustainable economic growth in the poorest countries on the continent. The objective of the African Development Fund (AfDF) is to reduce poverty by promoting the economic and social development of African countries. Finland is also involved in supporting Africa’s debt sustainability.
Press releases - 16.12.2025
Finland participates in the establishment of Claims Commission ensuring accountability in Russia’s war of aggression
Political State Secretary Pasi Rajala will lead Finland’s delegation at the diplomatic conference in The Hague on 16 December 2025 for the adoption of the Convention Establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. At the conference, State Secretary Rajala will sign the convention on behalf of Finland.
Press releases - 12.12.2025
EU foreign ministers to discuss Russia’s war of aggression, situation in the Middle East and China
EU foreign ministers will convene for a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 15 December. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Press releases - 11.12.2025
Minister Tavio to join President Stubb and his wife Innes-Stubb on state visit to the Netherlands
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit the Netherlands on 11–12 December as part of the official delegation accompanying President of the Republic Alexander Stubb on his state visit. Minister Tavio will also attend the programme for the business delegation.
Press releases - 10.12.2025
Migration and human rights discussed at the Council of Europe
An informal conference of ministers of justice of the Council of Europe held in Strasbourg today, 10 December discussed topical migration issues and the role that the European Convention on Human Rights plays in addressing them responsibly.
Press releases - 10.12.2025
Joint Statement delivered to the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe, 10 December 2025
Joint Statement delivered to the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe, 10 December 2025
Statements - 9.12.2025
European Court of Human Rights delivers judgment in case concerning involuntary treatment and medication and oral hearing in the Administrative Court
On 9 December 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its judgment concerning Finland in a case about involuntary treatment and medication and failure to grant an oral hearing by the Administrative Court. The ECtHR unanimously held that there had been a violation of Article 5 (right to liberty and security) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as the Administrative Court had not conducted an oral hearing in a matter concerning committal to involuntary psychiatric treatment. Regarding Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and Article 13 (right to an effective remedy), the ECtHR considered the application inadmissible.
Press releases - 9.12.2025
Statement by Minister Valtonen at the UN Security Council meeting
Statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen at the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, 8 December 2025.
Speeches - 9.12.2025
Kauppapolitiikka magazine: Security is the sum of its parts
The December issue of Kauppapolitiikka trade policy magazine takes the reader to the heart of national preparedness. Our theme article explains why Finland is regarded as a superpower of peacetime preparedness and what commercial opportunities comprehensive security offers. The interview section features Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto, who talks about Finland's economic outlook.
Press releases - 9.12.2025
Finnish MPs visit Zambia
A delegation of Finnish Members of Parliament from the Development Policy Committee visited Zambia on 22–28 November to discuss with the country’s political leadership the development of cooperation between Finland and Zambia and to learn about topical development issues in the country.
News - 8.12.2025
Foreign Ministry opens call for applications for government grants for foreign and security policy in 2026
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs opens a call for applications for discretionary government grants for civil society organisations (CSOs) and communities whose activities are relevant to Finland’s foreign and security policy and its international commitments and that support the promotion of international activities of Finnish businesses and the development and provision of services aimed at helping businesses to expand internationally.
News - 7.12.2025
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to visit New York
Minister for Foreign Affairs Valtonen will visit New York on 8 December. She will speak at the UN Security Council and participate in a panel discussion on Youth, Peace, and Security.
Press releases