NordenBladet — At the presidential session on Friday 25 February, the President of the Republic appointed three new ambassadors and a non-resident ambassador.
Teemu Tanner. The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Teemu Tanner to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Oslo from 1 September 2022.
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
NordenBladet — The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) brings together nearly 200 Member States to launch the negotiations on a global plastics agreement. UNEA is the highest environmental decision-making body in the UN. The Finnish delegation in Nairobi, Kenya, is headed by State Secretary Terhi Lehtonen from the Ministry of the Environment.The Assembly will discuss several draft resolutions, three of which relate to plastic pollution and marine plastic litter. One of the key objectives of Finland and the European Union is for Member States to begin negotiations on a legally binding global plastics agreement. Finland aims for an ambitious agreement covering the full life cycle, sustainable production and consumption of plastics, and the circular economy. The competing proposals are more focused on the end of the plastics life cycle and on waste management, the voluntary reduction of single-use plastics and the prevention of marine litter.
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
NordenBladet —
Today, President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns and Vice-Presidents of the BA Aadu Must and Andrius Kupčinskas signed a statement regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on behalf of the Assembly.
“On this morning of 24 February 2022, we, the members of the Baltic Assembly, are appalled at the reality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Considering the gross violation of the independence of Ukraine and international law, the Baltic Assembly:
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet — The Merikasarmi building of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is lit up on Thursday 24 February in blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine.
Finland firmly supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, self-determination and territorial integrity.
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
NordenBladet —
F-35 fighter jets, sent to the Baltic region by the U.S. Government in response to Russian Federation’s aggression towards Ukraine, arrived at Ämari air base, Estonia.
“This morning’s large-scale attack towards Ukraine by the armed forces of Russian Federation has brought active and extensive military action to Europe. This aggression confirms that intelligence released by the United States was at top level and NATO’s plan to strengthen the Baltic Sea Region with additional forces is extremely necessary and appreciated, “said Lieutenant General Martin Herem, Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces. Lieutenant General Herem added that since NATO sees the Baltics and Poland as a single area of operations, the decision by the United States will have an impact on the Baltic and Polish region as a whole.
“United States´ decision from this week to strengthen Allied presence in Estonia with its most modern aircraft shows the US readiness to defend its Allies,” Minister of Defense of Estonia, Kalle Laanet said. “We saw the same quick response in 2014 when the United States was the first to bring its fighter aircraft to Ämari Air Base during the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine,” Laanet added.
“We are facing a dynamic environment, and the deployment of F-35s to NATO’s eastern flank for a period of time enhances our defensive posture and amplifies the Alliance’s interoperability,” said General Jeff Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Force in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander.
The United States has decided to step up deterrence in the Baltic and Polish area by sending fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, AH-64 assault helicopters and 800 members strong unit to the Baltic Sea region.
The F-35 stealth fighters that arrived in Estonia, are the most expensive weapon system in human history and can perform the functions of a fighter jet, a reconnaissance aircraft and a tactical bomber. As a fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-35’s advantages in the battlefield are its survivability and situational awareness, backed by stealth technology, sensors and multi-layered data communications.
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet — Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko will represent Finland at the informal meeting of ministers for the economy and finance (Ecofin) to be held in Paris on 25–26 February and in the Eurogroup on 25 February. The security policy situation in Europe will also come up during the meetings.In addition to the ministers of the economy and finance, the governors of the EU’s national central banks will take part in the first day of meetings. The main theme of the meeting is developing Europe’s economic strength in light of global challenges. The ministers will discuss Europe’s economic growth following the COVID-19 crisis, obstacles to growth, and future economic policy.
The ministers will also discuss the expectations that the green and digital transition will set for the finance sector.
Due to acute geopolitical developments, the ministers will have the opportunity to exchange views on the security policy situation, sanctions and the impact of sanctions on the economies of the Member States. No decisions will be made at the informal meeting. Eurogroup to discuss macroeconomic issuesThe Eurogroup will meet on Friday 25 February before the informal Ecofin meeting begins.
The discussion points on the agenda will be:
Macroeconomic developments and policy prospects in the euro area in light of the Commis-sion’s recent interim forecast.Euro area dimension of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure.The euro as a digital currency – update of the state of play.
Read more: Martti Salmi, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 530 194, martti.salmi(at)gov.fi
Petra Schulze Steinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, tel. +358 40 671 7278, pet-ra.schulze-steinen(at)gov.fi
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
NordenBladet — A working group chaired by the Ministry of the Interior has assessed legislation falling within the purview of the Ministry and the need for amendments to prepare for hybrid influencing that exploits migration. The study suggests that practical amendments for responding to hybrid influencing and managing situations could be made to the Aliens Act, the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on the Identification of and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings and the Border Guard Act. The working group proposes a more detailed study of legislative amendments and an assessment of their impact.The amendments relate to the asylum procedure and maintenance of border security.The report only examines legislation governing normal conditions, in which powers related to disruption of normal conditions should be enacted as a matter of priority. Additional powers to be deployed in a state of emergency are laid down in the Emergency Powers Act. A reform process in this area has been initiated at the Ministry of Justice.Border procedures would impede further migrationThe proposals of the report related to asylum applications include possible new border procedure provisions in the Aliens Act. Asylum applications that are assessed as unfounded in the border procedure could be processed rapidly at or near the border. This would prevent applicants from moving within Finland or proceeding further into other EU countries. The border procedure would also examine applications individually, thoroughly and fairly.The border procedure also essentially involves the return of individuals who have received a negative asylum decision. Practical returns and return policies must be developed at both national and EU level in partnership with third countries. The report highlights the need to promote a voluntary return support system as a need for legislative change.Increased opportunities for accelerated asylum procedures and registration of applicationsFinland already applies an accelerated asylum procedure. This means that applicants in certain situations have no automatic right to remain in a Member State pending the outcome of any appeal procedure. The report suggests that the accelerated procedure could also examine applications from individuals who may, on serious grounds, be considered to pose a threat to national security or public order in a Member State.The Border Guard and the police are currently responsible for registering asylum applications. The report finds some justification for extending registration powers to the Finnish Immigration Service. This would bring flexibility to situations in which there is substantial unpredictability, enabling the Border Guard and the police to focus on their core functions.Improved border control legislation could strengthen border securityBorder control legislation includes several powers that could also be applied to address hybrid influencing that exploits migration. For example, border crossing points could be closed where necessary, and the national border could be fenced off to support situation management. The ability to request asylum does not require any particular number of border crossing points to remain open. The working group nevertheless identified several needs and opportunities for enhancing legislation.Regulations governing technical surveillance by the Border Guard could be improved by reducing surveillance restrictions. More efficient application of technical surveillance would enable more appropriate assignment of Border Guard staffing resources.Improved barrier device regulations would in turn enable the construction of a barrier device, such as a fence, at locations other than adjacent to border openings in return for full compensation to landowners. A need was also identified to be able to restrict or suspend rail traffic where necessary, as is already the case for waterborne transport.More flexible use of reservists and Border Guard students to support operations should be enabled to ensure operating conditions. It would also be helpful if the Border Guard was empowered to request and receive bilateral assistance directly from another state. Such bilateral assistance would complement the border security assistance coordinated by Frontex in particular.The duty of private parties to assign property and provide services to the Border Guard could also be extended where this is essential for discharging the statutory functions of the Border Guard. Full compensation would be paid to the assignor. The Police Act and the Rescue Act already include similar provisions on the duty of private parties to support public authorities.To manage the situations studied in the report, a need may arise to temporarily restrict border traffic at external border crossing points and reintroduce internal border controls. As the Chancellor of Justice has already noted, the Border Guard Act should be clarified in these respects.Mobile phone search and location facilities would be helpfulThe Border Guard Act could be amended to specify the means whereby an individual may be required to attend when investigating the conditions of entry if the investigation takes longer than 12 hours. These powers would be important for maintaining border security in the event of mass entry.The working group also proposes further study of such measures as device searches of mobile phones. Device searches could benefit both border control and the registration and processing of asylum applications. An increasing proportion of travel documents are carried by people in electronic form only.The working group also suggests investigating the prospects for enacting new powers of radiotechnical surveillance. This would mean a right to detect and locate devices that emit electromagnetic waves, such as mobile phones. It would nevertheless not authorise such measures as identifying the owner of the device or the contents of a communication. Radiotechnical surveillance would enable appropriate deployment of human resources in the event of mass entry.Ministries discuss assessments of legislative amendment needsA wide range of operational, legal, diplomatic and economic measures are deployed in response to instrumentalisation of migration. Solutions to political coercion by a foreign power exploiting migration will primarily be found through diplomatic channels, which requires cooperation at EU level and with third countries. There is nevertheless also a need for clear legislation and sufficient powers for public authorities to function proactively and effectively in the event of disruption. The working group proposes an urgent review by the competent ministries of its assessed needs for legislative amendments. The Constitution of Finland, international treaties, EU legislation and case law impose certain constraints on the measures that are available.The Ministry of the Interior is already working on a project that seeks to assess the effectiveness of border guard legislation and prepare the required legislative amendments. These amendments will ensure that provisions remain current in evolving operating conditions, which include situations of hybrid influencing. The legislative amendment needs that are considered most urgent should be prepared with a view to submitting a Government Bill to Parliament in the autumn session of 2022.The study was commissioned by the Government from a working group chaired by the Ministry of the Interior. The Government will consider the report of the working group, which will also probably be discussed in Parliament. Other representation on the working group included the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence and the Prime Minister’s Office. Additional key public authorities were also consulted during the preparations.
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
NordenBladet — The Government has on repealed section 3, subsection 3 and sections 4 and 6 of the decree (1223/2021) that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This means that the restrictions on the opening and alcohol serving hours as well as restrictions on the number of customers and customer seats in restaurants will be lifted.The amendment to the decree will enter into force throughout the country on 1 March 2022. Restrictions on food and beverage services will need to be reconsidered if the epidemiological situation changes and the burden on hospitals increases considerably.Obligation for restaurants to observe the general hygiene guidelines applies in all regionsThe obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance will remain in force in all regions until the end of March.Food and beverage service businesses must clearly inform people arriving there that a person with symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 infection is not allowed to enter the premises. In particular, food and beverage businesses must make sure that there is no unnecessary congestion in their premises and that customers and parties can enter the premises while maintaining a safe distance from one another.Food and beverage service businesses must ensure that the premises and surfaces are cleaned and that customers are given the opportunity to clean their hands.Food and beverage service businesses must draw up a written plan on how to implement the obligations and restrictions laid down for their activities and the use of their indoor and outdoor facilities.
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
NordenBladet — Simo Nurmi has served as Director General of the Energy Authority since 2015. The Government decided on 24 February 2022 to continue his appointment for a seven-year term starting on 1 April.Nurmi has over 20 years of experience working in leadership positions in the energy sector.Before his appointment as Director General, he served in senior management positions at the Energy Authority for approximately five years. Prior to that, he worked as Development Director and Director at the electricity transmission company Pori Energia Sähköverkot Oy and as Head of Section, Head of Unit and Economic Engineer dealing with electricity network operations at the energy company Helsingin Energia.Nurmi holds the degree of Master of Science in Technology.A total of four candidates applied for the position of Director General at the Energy Authority. The Energy Authority monitors and supervises the operation of the electricity and gas markets and promotes their functioning. It also promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy and carries out tasks related to energy and climate policy, emissions trading and energy efficiency. The Energy Authority falls within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
