NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has today set up a legislative project to prepare a government proposal for adopting and bringing into force the agreement on police cooperation in the border area between Finland and Sweden.The Finnish and Swedish interior ministers signed the agreement on police cooperation in October. The agreement is applied in Finland in the territories of the municipalities of Enontekiö, Kolari, Muonio, Pello, Tornio and Ylitornio. In Sweden, the agreement is applied in the territories of the municipalities of Haparanda, Kiruna, Pajala and Övertorneå.The agreement covers urgent situations related to prevention of serious crimeThe agreement is applied only in urgent situations and it contains mainly two types of cooperation: measures carried out on request and without a request. A request can be made to the neighbouring country if urgent assistance is needed to prevent a serious criminal offence involving danger to the life, health or physical integrity of an individual. Such serious offences include rape, aggravated assault and homicide. However, the parties may also deny the request.In the government proposal, Parliament will be requested to adopt the agreement. The proposal will also include a bill to bring into force the provisions of a legislative nature in the agreement. The project will also examine national legislation and, if necessary, relevant contents will be brought in line with the agreement. The project will run from 20 December 2021 to 31 May 2023.
NordenBladet — In 2021, Finland chaired the Nordic (N5) cooperation on foreign and security policy and the Nordic-Baltic (NB8) cooperation. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will host the last meetings of the two presidencies as virtual meetings on 20 December (N5) and 21 December (NB8).At their meetings, the foreign ministers will discuss topical foreign and security policy issues, such as Belarus, Ukraine, arms control ahead of the conference to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the rule of law, and questions related to the UN and the OSCE. “Finland’s presidencies of N5 and NB8 have been a great experience, as these cooperation arrangements offer an important opportunity to discuss key international policy issues among our close partners. Video conferences are useful, but it was especially great that we were able to hold the NB8 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Finland at Vanajanlinna in September,” says Foreign Minister Haavisto. Next year, the N5 presidency will be held by Norway and the NB8 presidency by Lithuania.
NordenBladet — The economy will grow rapidly in 2021 and 2022, although growth will be slower than was expected at the turn of the year, due to the acceleration in the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive measures, the Ministry of Finance projects in its Economic Survey, published on 20 December.This year, gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 3.4%. Moreover, GDP is expected to grow by 3.0% in 2022, by 1.5% in 2023 and by 1.4% in 2024. The economic recovery will continue, and growth will accelerate in 2022, particularly in those sectors where output has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, for example in accommodation and food service activities.Uncertainties arising from the manner in which the disease develops, virus mutations and vaccination coverage have increased further. The forecast assumes, however, that the deterioration of the disease situation will only momentarily slow down the economic recovery. The general government deficit will decline sharply and the debt-to-GDP ratio will fall temporarily in 2021–2022. Rapid economic growth will not, however, remove the imbalance between general government revenue and expenditure. As economic growth slows, the debt ratio will once again begin to rise. “The epidemic will recede in time, but the demographic and economic transformation will be prolonged. Navigating the transformation successfully will require from us frontline competitiveness, expertise, new technological solutions and substantial private investment as well as prudent public spending,” says Director General Mikko Spolander.Growth outlook for global economy overshadowed by pandemic and accelerating inflation The growth outlook for the global economy is overshadowed by, among other things, the protracted pandemic and rapidly accelerating inflation. The pick-up in consumer price inflation is due, among other things, to rising energy prices. Inflationary pressures are projected to ease during 2022, however.The growth prospects for world trade are undermined by supply chain disruptions for various reasons as well as slowing growth in the global economy. In the euro area, the outlook for trade in goods is weaker than in the United States or the emerging economies. Economic recovery to continue, driven by domestic demand GDP is expected to grow by 3.4% in 2021. The deterioration in the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2021 is increasing uncertainty among economic agents and slowing economic growth in the final quarter. GDP is expected to grow by 3.0% in 2022, but economic growth will be slow in the first quarter of the year. However, as the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic ease, economic growth will pick up once again. The high savings rate and consumer confidence have created conditions for rapid growth in private consumption. Private consumption will continue to grow in 2022, and private investment will also grow rapidly. Funding received rom the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) will boost private investment, and research and development investment, in particular, is expected to benefit. The investment outlook for Finnish industry is also good. In 2022, export growth will continue strongly due to growth in the global economy. A recovery in exports of services will also accelerate export growth.Economic growth will maintain demand for labour, which may also be met in the short term, as the number of unemployed remains high and the Government is taking steps to increase the labour supply. Employment is forecast to grow by 1.5% in 2022 and the employment rate to rise to just over 74% in 2024. Inflation will accelerate to 2.6%, at national consumer prices, in 2022. Underlying this is the price of energy, which will sustain inflation around the turn of the year but will gradually decline during 2022. The acceleration in inflation is expected to be temporary. In Finland, inflation will slow to 1.8% in 2023–2024.Public finances are recovering from the crisis, but indebtedness will continue to increaseThe imbalance between general government expenditure and revenue will sharply decline in 2021 but will still be well above the pre-pandemic level. Public finances have been strengthened, particularly by the rapid growth of tax revenues and social security contributions as a result of buoyant economic growth and improved employment. In addition, the pick-up in the economy from the downturn has reduced the need for recovery and support measures. The COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, continues to impose a burden on health and social services, in particular. The general government deficit will not be eliminated completely, however, even though the economy will recover and the pandemic will ease over time. There is a structural deficit in general government finances, which the good economic conditions will not correct. The general government deficit is expected to be around 1% of GDP in the mid-2020s.Rapid GDP growth and the falling deficit will result in a decline in the debt ratio in 2021. As economic growth slows, however, the deficits of central government, local government and the wellbeing services counties will again turn the debt ratio to growth from 2023 onwards. The debt ratio is expected to be approximately 69%, i.e. roughly 10 percentage points above the pre-pandemic level, in 2026. Rapid deterioration of pandemic the main threat to economic growth The most significant risks to the forecast continue to be related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of the restrictive measures taken to manage it. Virus variants are changing the outlook for disease control in a more uncertain direction, and the pandemic situation may deteriorate rapidly despite the progress of vaccinations. If development in the emerging economies is poor and their pandemic management is unsuccessful, this will be a major blow to global economic growth. A prolongation of the epidemic would reduce private consumption and demand for services, in particular, which would undermine the economic recovery. The deterioration of the disease situation is also reflected in increased uncertainty in the investment environment, which may delay investments or prevent their implementation. The pick-up in inflation is expected to be a temporary phenomenon and inflation will slow again from the second half of next year. It is possible, however, that inflation will continue to be high for a longer period. A key concern with regard to expectations of rising inflation is that wages will also rise along with prices. A price-wage spiral in the economy would be a self-sustaining and longer-term phenomenon that would slow economic growth.The fact that the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility will generate more private investment than projected in the forecast can be viewed as a positive risk.
Members of Estonian contingent BKN-10 that has served in Mali for the past four months were awarded French deployment medals at a ceremony held in Gao, Mali yesterday. Additionally the outgoing Senior National Representative (SNR) Major Rauno Viitmann handed over responsibility to incoming SNR Major Rauno Vahimets.
„The past six months as Senior National Representative were challenging but as well productive,“ said Major Rauno Viitmann. „Estonian units that served here during that time did their job well and I am one hundred percent sure that the new SNR and contingent will continue keeping their standards high“.
The French overseas deployment medal (Medaille d’Outre-Mer) is issued to troops for participating in operations outside of French territory since 1962. Areas of service are indicated by a clasp that will be attached to the medal. Medals issued to Estonian service members have the clasp Sahel, which indicates to a respective area in Africa.
“Members of the current contingent, led by Major Viitmann, have done a great job which we are honored to continue,“ said the new SNR Major Rauno Vahimets. „We will do our best to keep our standards and professionalism high.”
50 Estonian service members, that received the medals, have served in Mali since August this year. Main tasks of the unit are manning gates and observation posts of Gao military base, forming the quick reaction force (QRF) and patrolling in and around the city of Gao.
Estonian troops are serving in the French military camp on the banks of river Niger since 2018.
The aim of the French-led operation Barkhane is to support the fight of five Sahel region states (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) against terrorist groups. Operation Barkhane was initiated on August 1, 2014.
NordenBladet —Bitcoin miners in Iceland have recently had their power cut by Landsvirkjun, the National Iceland electrical company Land, due to a variety of issues at a power station.
According to a representative at Landsvirkjun, a series of issues, including a problem at a power station, low hydro-reservoir levels and accessing energy from an external supplier, have caused a reduction in energy allocations to southwestern Bitcoin miners.
The three main Bitcoin mining companies that have facilities in the country comprise of Hive Blockchain Technologies, Genesis Mining and Bitfury Holding.
For just under a decade, Bitcoin miners have been seeking the benefits of environmentally friendly Bitcoin mining in Iceland. Cloud Hashing moved around 100 Bitcoin miners to the country in 2013. Then in 2017, Austria’s HydroMiner GmbH raised just under $3 million to install mining rigs directly attached to Icelandic power plants.
Due to Iceland’s abundance of geothermal energy, Bitcoin miners have been attracted to the country for its cheap renewable energy supply.
Today, the Foreign Affairs Committee delegation is meeting their colleagues from the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Latvian and Lithuanian parliaments to discuss the latest developments in security as well as issues related to China and Russia.
“The interconnectedness of the three Baltic states and their close cooperation is unique from the global perspective,” said the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson. “Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania sitting together and speaking as one is a rare example of regional unity. Keeping up this unity along with a strong and permanent cooperation is vital for the security of our region, particularly in the context of ever-increasing tensions,” he added.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee expects the discussions to focus on the latest developments on the EU and NATO borders as well as the border regions of Ukraine. Questions surrounding China and Russia will be on the agenda as well. The delegations will also visit the Tapa Army Base.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft government proposal according to which the nationwide use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, i.e. the COVID-19 passport, would also be possible by law when there are no restrictions in force.The draft also proposes that municipalities and Regional State Administrative Agencies, which make official decisions in accordance with the Communicable Diseases Act, could, in certain cases, issue a decision obliging operators to require their customers and participants to present a COVID-19 passport. Similarly, the Government could issue a decree obliging restaurants to require their customers to present a COVID-19 passport. In practice, municipalities and Regional State Administrative Agencies as well as the Government in the case of restaurants could make the use of the COVID-19 passport mandatory for certain operators and in certain situations.Expanding the use of the COVID-19 passportExpanding the nationwide use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, i.e. the COVID-19 passport, would mean in practice that the COVID-19 passport could also be introduced on a voluntary basis in situations where operators are not subject to restrictions. Operators could thus require their customers or participants to present a COVID-19 passport in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections. The COVID-19 passport could also be introduced in sectors other than the food and beverage service sector and the event sector, for example. At present, the COVID-19 passport serves as an alternative health security measure only when the event or facilities in question are subject to restrictions.As under the current legislation, people aged 16 years or older could be required to present a COVID-19 passport.The obligation to present a COVID-19 passport could not apply in connection with statutory services (such as libraries, early childhood education and care, pre-primary education and primary and lower secondary education, liberal adult education, basic education in arts, vocational education and training, general upper secondary education, higher education), essential services (such as health and social services) or acquiring supplies or materials (food, medicines). In addition, the obligation to present a COVID-19 passport could not prevent people from fulfilling their rights and obligations. Operators could only require a COVID-19 passport of customers, participants or the public. Operators could not, however, require their employees to present a COVID-19 passport under this regulation. Section 58j of the Communicable Diseases Act lays down provisions on processing the data contained on the EU Digital COVID Certificate and verifying the person’s identity.Comments can be submitted until 17 January 2022Comments on the draft government proposal can be submitted between 17 December 2021 and 17 January 2022. Comments are requested to be submitted in the lausuntopalvelu.fi service (available in Finnish and Swedish).The Act is scheduled to enter into force as soon as possible and it would remain in force until 30 June 2022.
NordenBladet — In line with the Government decision of 16 December, the restrictions on entry at Finland’s external borders will continue and health security measures will be tightened as of 20 December. The decision will remain in force until 16 January 2022According to the decision, passengers arriving from outside the EU and the Schengen area will be required, as of 21 December, to show a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued less than 48 hours before their arrival in addition to proof of a full course of vaccination.This requirement applies until 31 December 2021 to those born in 2005 or earlier, and as of 1 January 2022, to those born in 2006 or earlier.The requirement does not apply to persons living in Finland or in another EU or Schengen country when they return to their country of residence, nor to persons who have an essential reason for entry, such as compelling family matters or another compelling personal reason.However, all passengers are required to present certificates as laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act and comply with the decisions made by the Regional State Administrative Agencies on compulsory health examinations.People may enter Finland from EU and Schengen countries without travel restrictions as before.Visit the website of the Finnish Border Guard for more information about the restrictions on entry and the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare for more information on health security measures.
NordenBladet — The EU ministers responsible for the environment and climate change issues will meet in Brussels on 20 December to discuss the EU’s climate package (Fit for 55 package), the Battery Regulation and the Soil Strategy. State Secretary Terhi Lehtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.In July 2021, the Commission issued an extensive package of proposals for climate legislation. The proposals of the Fit for 55 package implement the obligation in the European Climate Law to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions of the EU by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The Presidency will present a progress report on the proposals that are the responsibility of the Environment Council (Emissions Trading Directive, Effort Sharing Regulation, LULUCF Regulation, Regulation setting CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans, and Regulation establishing a social climate fund). The Environment Council discussed these proposals in October 2021 as well. In addition, the Presidency will present a report on the progress made in all proposals included in the Fit for 55 package in different Council configurations. The Government’s positions on the proposals have been presented in separate Union communications.“The key issue here is that the package as a whole will be sufficient to achieve and exceed the emission reduction target of at least 55 per cent. Finland considers it important that the package will not be weakened as the negotiations proceed but, rather, it will become even stronger. This is why one of our proposals is that the CO2 standards for vehicles should be tightened faster than in the Commission’s proposal,” State Secretary Terhi Lehtonen says.The ministers will also discuss the European Commission’s proposal for a new Battery Regulation, issued by the Commission a year ago. The proposed regulatory package will promote a sustainable European battery industry and the circular economy of batteries, while at the same time securing a high standard of environmental and health protection. The previous time the ministers discussed this proposal was at the June Environment Council. Since then the proposal has been discussed in several working groups, but the progress has been very slow. In general, Finland considers the proposed regulation as good and welcome. A regulation framework that offers a high standard of environmental protection will also promote the competitive position of the Finnish battery industry within the EU.The topics to be discussed also include the Communication on the new EU Soil Strategy issued by the Commission in November 2021. The vision of the new EU Soil Strategy is that all soil ecosystems in Europe will be healthy by 2050. The aim is to ensure the protection, restoration and sustainable use of soil. Finland considers it important and necessary to update the strategy. However, in the initiatives related to soil it is important to take into account the different natural conditions and circumstances in different Member States. Finland’s positions regarding the Soil Strategy will be formulated in more detail in the Europe communication that is being prepared.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has issued a decree on assistance for voluntary return for 2022–2023. The decree will enter into force on 1 January 2022.There will be no changes in the assistance for voluntary return compared to 2020–2021. The new decree on assistance for voluntary return will be valid for two years until the end of 2023.Assistance for voluntary return may cover the costs of the return journey and financial assistance to enable the returnee to start a new life in the home country. Assistance may be financial or in-kind assistance. In-kind assistance means various items or services helping the person to start a small business or access education or training, for example.According to the Government Programme, the voluntary return system will be developed as the primary option for securing the departure of unsuccessful applicants and their reintegration. The functioning and development of the voluntary return system will be examined separately and, if necessary, the decree on the assistance may be amended before it expires.The Action Plan for the Prevention of Irregular Entry and Stay for 2021–2024 also contains measures related to assisted voluntary return and reintegration. The Ministry of the Interior monitors the implementation of the Action Plan.
