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Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
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Prime Minister Marin meets with German Federal Chancellor Scholz in Berlin

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Prime Minister Sanna Marin met with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Wednesday 16 March 2022. In their meeting, Prime Minister Marin and Federal Chancellor Scholz discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the development of European security and defence cooperation and the EU’s economic and energy policy.Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dramatically changed the security situation in Europe, with Russia’s actions challenging the very foundations of the European security system. “Germany and Finland, together with the European Union and its partner countries, have strongly condemned Russia’s aggression and continuous military violence against Ukraine. Russia’s attack is targeting Ukraine, but it is also an attack against the security order of Europe as a whole,” said Prime Minister Sanna Marin.The European Union has responded to Russia’s invasion with unprecedented speed, determination and unity by imposing severe and comprehensive sanctions. Prime Minister Marin and Federal Chancellor Scholz also discussed ways to further support Ukraine. Finland, Germany and the European Union have been assisting Ukraine financially, with humanitarian aid and by providing protective equipment and arms. Marin and Scholz also discussed the repercussions that can be seen in the European Union in terms of energy prices, security and defence policy solutions, the economy and growth. “Germany is a central country in the European Union and will play a key role as we develop the EU to be an even stronger player in foreign, security and defence policy. We share the view that the EU must improve its capabilities,” the Prime Minister said.Marin highlighted Germany’s importance for Finland when it comes to security and defence policy. “We share the same security environment, also within the Baltic Sea region.”Prime Minister Marin said it is essential for the EU to eliminate its dependence on fossil fuels, which we import precisely from Russia, as soon as possible.
“We need to invest in renewable energy sources and liquefied natural gas terminals, and explore ways to support each other in the transition to cleaner energy.” Reducing the EU’s dependence on Russian energy was a key item on the agenda at the informal meeting of EU heads of state or government in Versailles on 10 and 11 March. The topic will be discussed next at the March European Council. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

The Government prepares new report on changes in the current security environment, led by Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a fundamental change has taken place in the security and operating environment of Finland and Europe. The Government has launched the preparation of a report assessing the foreign and security policy environment that has changed and the changing operating and security environment as well as their implications for Finland.The report will discuss Finland’s foreign, security and defence policy, but also the economic impacts in the situation that has changed, security of supply, preparedness, border security, cyber security and hybrid influence activities.The Government has appointed a coordination group to prepare the report, headed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto. The coordination group, led by the Foreign Minister, will coordinate the preparation of the various sections of the report concerning matters that fall under the competence of the administrative branches of several ministries. All ministerial groups will be represented in the coordination group. Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto will also lead the Ministry’s working group assigned to prepare the foreign, security and defence policy sections of the report. In addition to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Office of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence are also represented in the working group. The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy as well as the Ministerial Working Group on Preparedness, Ministerial Working Group on Internal Security and Strengthening the Rule of Law, Ministerial Working Group on the Digital Transformation, the Data Economy and Public Administration will discuss matters within their respective areas of responsibility. The government report is due to be submitted to Parliament in early April. Based on the report, Parliament is expected to hold an extensive discussion on foreign and security policy.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland supports stronger EU role in international standardisation

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — At the beginning of February, the European Commission adopted a new EU standardisation strategy and simultaneously issued a proposal for amending the regulation on standardisation. On 17 March, the Government submitted to Parliament information on the strategy, amendments to the regulation on standardisation and Finland’s position on them.The European Union has prepared a new standardisation strategy to improve the functioning of the system and to promote the utilisation of standards, particularly in support of the green transition and digitalisation. The aim of the proposed regulation is to change decision-making on European standardisation so that the standards can take better account of European values, for example.On 17 March, the Government submitted to Parliament information on the standardisation strategy, amendments to the related regulation on standardisation and Finland’s positions on them. A Europe communication on the standardisation strategy and a Union communication on the amendment of the standardisation regulation were submitted to Parliament.Standards are commonly agreed requirements or recommendations for products and services, for example. They improve the quality, safety and compatibility of products and services. The aim of the new EU standardisation strategy is to ensure that standards meet the needs of a changing world and that they are used to support the EU’s competitiveness to the best possible extent. The new strategy also takes into consideration the importance of standards for business and society as a whole as well as the objective of international leadership in European standardisation. Well-functioning standardisation supports the EU internal marketIn general, Finland welcomes the standardisation strategy and the proposal to amend the regulation. A well-functioning and efficient standardisation system promotes the effectiveness of standards and supports the functioning of the internal market and the transition towards a climate neutral economy. The proposed amendment to the regulation supports the strategy’s objective of developing European standardisation.One of the strategy’s objectives is to strengthen the EU’s role in standardisation at the international level. There is a great deal of competition for leadership in international standardisation. According to the new standardisation strategy, the EU’s key sectors should make more efficient use of standardisation.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Good solutions put to practice – boost to scaling good practices for sustainable urban development

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Municipalities and cities across Finland have developed their activities towards better environmental, social and economic sustainability. The project ‘Levers for a Sustainable City’ (VIPU) looks for solutions for faster scaling of good practices. Besides urban development, the tools created can also be used for other purposes.Municipalities and other organisations have been active in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, but even good outcomes may remain as isolated and scattered achievements or fade out after the development project has ended.The project ‘Levers for a Sustainable City’ (VIPU) developed new methods for scaling and tested how the means that have proven good can be turned into concrete actions in the municipalities. The project also produced a set of criteria for identifying a good practice for sustainable urban development: A good practice must have an impact on more than one dimension of sustainable development. The solution must find demand in the municipalities, the outcomes must be such that they can be proven, and the needs of different stakeholders must be taken into account at the different stages of the process. In order to be truly put to practice, the solutions must also be carefully documented.Scaling of good practices can refer to operations of very different scales. In the narrowest sense it may mean the adoption of a good practice that will consolidate the activity and make it more effective in the location where it was created. Expanding the practice takes the solution to other environments and locations or to a national scale. The greatest impact is achieved when the solution is mainstreamed and leads to more comprehensive changes in society, e.g. in the legislation or people’s values.Scaling requires tools to support the practical implementation of the solution and its adaptation to new conditions. “Wider introduction of good solutions makes it possible to achieve sustainability goals more quickly and efficiently. The work done in the project clarifies the concepts related to scaling, structures the often quite general way we talk about scaling, and offers tips for concrete work on this. The results also help us recognise the obstacles to disseminating good practices and find solutions to overcome these,” Programme Manager Virve Hokkanen says.Good practices do not evolve, develop or pass on without people who do the practical work – those who develop their own activities and those who have the curiosity to follow the achievements of others. “At the core of good practices there always seems to be an enthusiastic individual or team who knows what to do and why. It has been great to see how willing these people have been to share with others what they have learned, and how contagious their enthusiasm may be,” says Senior Researcher Kaisa Schmidt-Thomé who led the project. “These teams truly create something new, and it would be important to give their achievements the attention they deserve,” she says.The project was implemented as part of the Sustainable City programme that aims to boost the sustainable development of cities and municipalities, coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment. The work was done by a consortium of Demos Helsinki, Finnish Consulting Group FCG and Tyrsky Consulting, supported by a steering group composed of representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, General Secretariat on Sustainable Development at the Prime Minister’s Office and municipalities. The Sustainable City programme will continue the work on scaling and develop tools for this. The programme offers support to cities and municipalities both for the communication activities to disseminate good practices and dialogue between municipalities and for the concrete deployment of good solutions.Read more about the sustainable cities

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Working Life Forum gives everyone a chance to join in current debate on working life

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The new national event on working life will provide a platform for developing the Finnish world of work in the long term. The world of work has changed rapidly in recent years. For this reason, it has been necessary to reassess workplace practices, management and trust at all workplaces.Amidst these changes, Finland needs a common understanding of the current picture of working life and a shared view on paths to the future. It is essential that the conditions for working are good in all tasks and working-age people stay fit for work throughout their careers.Management should also be able to respond to changes in society and accelerate the anticipation and development of skills needs. It is essential to ensure that the world of work can renew itself and act in changing circumstances. In the transformation of working life, new models are created for workplaces and the service system to increase wellbeing, competitiveness and employment.Working Life Forum Finland 2022 to be held in AugustThe Working Life Forum Finland 2022 will give everyone a chance to join in the current debate on working life. To create solutions for the future of work, a broad-based public debate is needed.In addition to topical subjects such as crises and resilience, the Forum will discuss the role of continuous learning in working life, efforts to strengthen wellbeing and coping at work, the benefits and disadvantages of rapid advancement of digitalisation, the importance of trust and the challenges of management amidst changes, as well as internationality.“The Working Life Forum is an event for discussing the world of work. It gives us a chance to en-gage in long-term and determined development efforts that enable us to form a more accurate picture of the world of work and build a better working life for everyone,” says Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen.Technological development and digitalisation have also opened up interesting new opportunities.“In future, those workplaces will succeed the best that know how to reinvest not only in technological innovations but also in core activities, the organisation of work and management practices. Amidst the digital green transition, updating the skills of employees and enabling continuous learning are central to productivity,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.Changes have not been easy for everyone. Cooperation and the spirit of trust at workplaces help people cope in changing circumstances. Good working conditions have a positive effect on people’s mental and physical fitness for work and on productivity. Finnish working life also needs a common understanding of mental health as a success factor. Mental health is an investment that needs to be strengthened by developing work and preventing problems at the workplace level. This will also help reduce sick leave and disability retirement due to mental health problems. Workplaces need skilled employees who are fit for work.By working together we can build the best possible working life. The Working Life Forum 2022 invites all Finnish workplaces and working life actors to discuss joint development efforts in August. This work does not require just the input of workplaces; it requires everyone to work together. Successful and healthy workplaces will grow, employ people and increase wellbeing and productivity around them.The Working Life Forum Finland 2022 will be held at Little Finlandia in Helsinki on 31 August 2022. It will be organised by the Government’s WORK 2030 programme together with a wide network of partners.Read more about the Working Life Forum Finland 2022 on the event page and register for it.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Mihkelson’s visit to the USA focuses on security of Baltic States and helping Ukraine

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson participates in the joint visit of the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Washington, USA, and speaks at the hearing of the Helsinki Commission of the United States Congress.

Mihkelson said that the hearing of the Helsinki Commission would focus on the security of the Baltic States. “It is important to give our US colleagues a detailed overview of the current situation in our region and find additional ways for enhancing the security of the Baltic States through potential deterrence and defence measures,” Mihkelson explained. “The NATO allies have done very much to strengthen the security of the Baltic region and we are very grateful to them for that, but today’s security situation requires additional measures.”

“We have to give Russia a clear signal that the Western countries will not leave democratic Ukraine alone and we will do all we can to ensure that the defenders of Ukraine and of the free world receive the weapons that will help them to victory,” Mihkelson said. In his opinion, it is necessary to act swiftly and jointly to save the civilian population from the war that is acquiring the dimensions of a genocide.

During two days, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian parliaments have meetings in the US Congress as well as in the Pentagon and the Department of State and leading think tanks.

The Helsinki Commission is an independent US government agency whose task is to monitor compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advance comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental, and military cooperation in 57 OSCE countries.

The hearing at the Helsinki Commission will take place on Thursday at 4 p.m. Estonian time and will be streamed online.  

Public discussion at the think tank Atlantic Council will be held on Friday at 2.30 p.m. and can be followed live.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

EU Environment Ministers meet in Brussels to discuss Fit for 55 package

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The EU ministers responsible for the environment and climate change issues will meet in Brussels on 17 March to discuss the EU’s Fit for 55 package, the Battery Regulation and the Deforestation Regulation. Finland’s representative at the meeting will be Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari.The Environment Ministers will hold a policy debate on the elements of the Fit for 55 package that are the responsibility of the Environment Council (Emissions Trading Directive and amending it with respect to aviation, Effort Sharing Regulation, LULUCF Regulation, Regulation setting CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans, and Regulation establishing a social climate fund). The negotiations on the package have intensified and the aim for France is to adopt a general approach on the proposals in June.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finance ministers reach agreement on Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — On Tuesday 15 March, the EU’s finance ministers reached an agreement in the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on establishing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko represented Finland at the meeting in Brussels.The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism also prevents the increase of emissions outside the EUThe meeting reached a general approach on the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The CBAM is part of the Fit for 55 Package presented by the European Commission last July to implement the objectives set in the European climate law to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions and promote the transformation of the EU into a carbon-neutral society by 2050. The CBAM is intended to prevent carbon leakage, i.e. the transfer of production outside the EU to countries with more lax environmental standards in situations where the EU is intensifying its climate measures. It is also intended to promote the wider use of carbon pricing and the intensification of climate measures in third countries as well as to complement existing EU carbon pricing policies, in particular the EU emissions trading scheme. The CBAM will impose a payment on products coming from outside the EU that is the same as the one that must be paid for corresponding products manufactured inside the EU within the scope of EU emissions trading. The mechanism would apply to five product groups, i.e. cement, steel and iron, aluminium, fertilisers, and electricity. Full compatibility with WTO rules and with the EU’s other international commitments is a key consideration in the design of the mechanism.  The CBAM is also intended to be one of the EU’s three new own resources, which were the subject of a separate European Commission proposal on 22 December 2021. The proposal for a regulation now approved at the meeting includes some amendments to the proposal issued in July 2021. The main amendments concern the administrative model for the mechanism, i.e. official duties have been transferred from the Member States to the EU level.  Preparations for the implementation of the first stage of the proposal must be completed by the end of 2022, because the regulation is due to enter into force at the beginning of 2023.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy supports refurbishment of Government Palace and modernisation of premises

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — In its meeting on 16 March 2022, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy decided to support the plan to modernise government premises.The Government Palace and the office building at Kirkkokatu 14 are in need of refurbishment, and the plan includes the necessary refurbishment of these properties. At the same time, the courtyard wing of the Government Palace, which was built in 1900 as the Senate’s printing shop, will be replaced by a new, larger building.  The plan also includes the refurbishment of the Kirkkokatu 12 pavilion building, which is in the ‘Government Block’ (the block located between Kirkkokatu and Hallituskatu).In this connection, the functions of the government and its ministries will be brought together in the immediate vicinity of these two blocks in what will be called the Government Campus. This will make it possible to sell some of the current ministry buildings. With respect to the Government Palace block, the project also includes the construction of shared meeting rooms, a significant improvement of the level of security and the construction of accessible entryways in all of buildings. The repairs and alterations will take into account the significant cultural heritage value of the blocks.The project is being prepared in collaboration with Senate Properties and the Finnish Heritage Agency as well as with the City of Helsinki in land use planning issues. The construction of the new building requires a change to the local detailed plan. The implementation of the plan also requires a budget procedure and several readings, for example, in the Ministerial Finance Committee. The overall planning process examined different combinations of refurbishment and new construction, and the alternative supported by the committee best meets the objectives set for the project. Multiple functional benefits being soughtThe project only involves the development of government premises and will not affect the administrative structures of the ministries. The project seeks to support the activities of the government and its ministries with more uniform, modern and secure premises, which would improve collaboration in the government and support the development of new ways of working in the ministries. The modernisation of the premises will also bring significant benefits for sustainable development, savings in energy consumption and reductions in emissions. In addition, indoor conditions will improve and spaces will be used more efficiently. The project encompasses several buildings and construction projects. The preliminary estimate of the construction and refurbishment investments is approximately EUR 290 million. It will be possible to sell some of the premises currently used by the government as part of the plan. The sales price of these premises is currently estimated at approximately EUR 140 million. The investment is estimated to increase the government’s rental expenditure by approximately EUR 9 million a year.Construction is planned to take place in several stages. The goal is to begin construction in 2023. According to the plan, the modernisation project would be completed in 2029. The investment will have a significant employment generating impact during 2023–2029. The administrative blocks are historically valuable and they are at the heart of the government’s cultural heritage.  The project will help ensure that the blocks continue to be used for their historical purpose. The oldest part of the Government Palace was completed  in 1822 to house the Senate of autonomous Finland. The building was renamed the Government Palace in 1918 following Finnish independence. The previous refurbishment of the building started in 1974 and was completed in 1996.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finnish and Swedish ministers to discuss bilateral cooperation and changes in the security environment

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen and Sweden’s Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Morgan Johansson will meet in Finland on 16 March to discuss the countries’ cooperation in civil preparedness, rescue services and the implementation of the police cooperation agreement. The discussions will also touch upon cooperation between the national coast guards.“We are facing complex global challenges to our security. Finland and Sweden are preparing for these challenges in close cooperation at both political and public official level. The challenges include not only changes in the security environment but also climate change and vulnerabilities of the increasingly digital society”, says Minister of the Interior Mikkonen.“Our societies are facing many different threats that we must address. The pandemic has posed a challenge for both of our countries, and the climate crisis is a global challenge. And now the security situation in our neighbouring areas is weakening,” says Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Johansson.Close cooperation between neighbouring countries will boost the competence and activities of the authoritiesDue to the recent changes in the security environment, it is increasingly important that cooperation between Finland and Sweden is close, intensive and direct at all levels. Cooperation in maintaining and developing civil preparedness is an important part of the countries’ joint preparedness for any further changes in the security environment. The letter of intent on closer cooperation between Finland and Sweden in the field of civil preparedness and rescue services, signed in February 2021, is now more important than ever. During 2021, the countries enhanced their cooperation in civil preparedness issues related to the EU and NATO and in the field of joint exercises, statistics and research, for example. This close cooperation will be continued. The implementation of the police cooperation agreement signed last year is also an important part of the cooperation between the two countries. A government proposal for adopting and implementing the agreement in Finland is currently under preparation. Developing cooperation between the national coast guards is also an integral part of the cooperation between the countries. Ministers will attend a public discussion event at HanaholmenAfter their bilateral meeting, the Ministers will attend a public discussion event at Hanaholmen. The discussion is part of the Hanaholmen Initiative, an education programme aiming to develop the networking and competence of civil preparedness experts in Finland and Sweden. The education programme is based on the initiative of the Prime Ministers of the two countries. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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