NordenBladet — In 2021–2022, Finland allocates EUR two million for the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), which works to strengthen the creation of trading opportunities for least-developed countries (LDCs). The agreement on the support was signed on 23 March 2021 in Geneva.
Finland has supported the EIF partnership since 2008 by approximately EUR 23.5 million.Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari considers that the support to the EIF is important in that it strengthens least developed countries’ financial capacity.
“Least developed countries have not benefited from the opportunities offered by global trade as was expected when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted. Through its long-term support, Finland strengthens LDCs’ export efforts and helps to lay a foundation for recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am also happy that the EIF is assisting LDCs to reform their economies in a more equitable and climate-resilient direction,” the Minister says.
Enhanced Integrated Framework is a global partnership of donors and international organisations committed to assisting least developed countries in the empowerment and diversification of their economies. The EIF helps them harness global trade to achieve sustainable economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
NordenBladet — Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru has appointed a working group to prepare a gambling policy programme and to draw up guidelines for its implementation until 2030. The aim is to reverse the upward trend in gambling-related harm and problems permanently.
To prevent and reduce gambling-related harm effectively, we need a number of similar and mutually supportive measures that are carried out simultaneously and both in the short and long term. In preparing the programme, the working group will focus on preventive work, gambling services that aim to prevent harm, and guidance. The aim of the group’s work is also to ensure that players and those close to them have access to the necessary services to receive help for gambling problems. The programme will complement and support the measures of the National Mental Health Strategy and the Action Plan on Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Gambling as well as legislative drafting. The term of the working group will run from 15 March 2021 to 31 March 2022. The working group is chaired by Director Jari Keinänen from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The preparation of the programme was agreed on in the Government Programme.
The responsibility for implementing the programme and preventing gambling-related harm rests with three ministries. The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for legislation on lotteries, the Prime Minister’s Office for the ownership steering of Veikkaus Oy and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the prevention of harm related to gambling. The National Police Board monitors the provision of gambling services, and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare implements and coordinates the measures to prevent gambling-related harm. A working group consisting of public officials from these Ministries and agencies is responsible for preparing the programme.
Stakeholders will have the opportunity to take part in the preparation of the programme, and the working group will hear a wide range of experts and other operators in the gambling sector during its work.
NordenBladet – As part of a continued operations program in its tidal energy project in the Faroe Islands, technology developer Minesto has made significant progress related to electricity generation to grid — the company’s DG100 power plant has reached peak power production performance above 110 kW with average power produced over a tidal cycle aligned with predictions in simulation runs.
During March, a second DG100 kite system has been delivered to the Faroe Islands and successfully run in electricity production mode, Minesto announced. The unit, named ‘Drekin’ (Faroese for ‘The Dragon’) incorporates upgrades to improve performance and reliability based on experiences with the first unit.
“The new second DG100 system started operation straight ‘out of the box’ without the need for a long commissioning program,” said Minesto CEO Dr. Martin Edlund.
“This means that we now have two systems available in Vestmannasund, which enhances our operational flexibility and efficiency. It is very pleasing that the new DG100 power plant easily reaches its designed performance. Among other things, this means that we reach peak power production performance above 110 kW at flight speeds above 20 knots. Average power produced over a tidal cycle is aligned with predictions in simulation runs, which reinforces our output expectancies regardless of scale. This is very encouraging results and significant input to the ongoing work of third-party verification.”
Meanwhile Minesto has likewise completed training of additional onshore and offshore installation staff to enable the company to manage all kite system operations and maintenance activities in-house.
“With three complete teams of operators, we have established capacity for both long-term operations in the Faroe Islands and secured a much-needed ability to run multiple projects,” Dr. Edlund said.
As part of the training, the company said in a news release, Minesto has successfully optimized launch and recovery times in such wise that it now takes no longer than 30 minutes to launch or recover a kite system, using a small dynamic positioning (DP) vessel without a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
“To further increase operational flexibility and reduce costs, Minesto also evaluates and prepares for use of local suppliers with smaller vessels, where practicable.”
Dr. Edlund added: “The plan going forward involves intensified operations both for volume generation of electricity to grid and for configuration optimisation to support scale-up and identified performance enhancement.”
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has marked World Down Syndrome Day with a message underlining how important every member of society is. In a heartfelt greeting, the Princess spoke of the vital role the awareness day can make by reminding us to celebrate that all people are unique.
In a video message, published by the Royal Court on March 21, Princess Martha Louise said: “Congratulations on World Day for Down Syndrome. Today we celebrate that each of us is completely unique. We celebrate that all people are equally valuable. We celebrate that we are all both happy and sad about each other. That is what it is to be human.”
Princess Märtha Louise continued: “It has been a special year for all of us. Many have felt even more lonely without the regular activities that mean so much – and with less human contact than usual. Now we all hope that we will soon move towards brighter times. So today, on World Day for Down Syndrome, there is good reason to celebrate anyway. We celebrate that everyone is equally unique. Congratulations everyone!”
Princess Martha Louise has made supporting people with physical and mental health difficulties a mainstay of her royal work. The Princess Märtha Louise Fund was established on 15 September 1972. The fund’s capital is used to support measures in Norway to help children with disabilities and the Princess also visits associations and initiatives that have received support from the fund. Her Majesty Queen Sonja is also involved in the fund’s work and sits on the board together with Princess Martha and a number of other prominent people.
In addition to her fund, the princess has agreed to be a patron for several organizations that work for the rights of those with disabilities. Among other organizations, the princess is the high protector of the Association for Muscle Disease, the National Association of the Hearing Impaired, the Norwegian Association of the Blind, the Norwegian Association of the Deaf as well as the Norwegian Rheumatism Association.
What is World Down Syndrome Day? World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) , 21 March, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
NordenBladet – The Danish Royal Court has announced that Denmark will have a new Lord Chamberlain. Kim Kristensen will take on the position after current chamberlain, Michael Ehrenreich, decided to retire from his post after six years of service. Michael Ehrenreich has chosen to arrange his departure so that his successor has time to plan for the 50th jubilee of The Queen’s reign in 2022.
Queen Marrgethe has expressed her warmest appreciation for Michael Ehrenreich’s attention to his duties as Lord Chamberlain. At the same time, The Queen has decorated Michael Ehrenreich with the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog.
Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has named the Royal Danish House’s master of ceremonies, chamberlain Kim Kristensen, as the new Lord Chamberlain effective 1 April 2021. The new Lord Chamberlain, Kim Kristensen, has been the Royal Danish master of ceremonies since 2012 and, at that time, came from a position as defence attaché in Paris. Previously in his career, Kim Kristensen was the adjutant for the Queen and Prince Henrik, chief of staff of the Danish battalion in Kosovo, and chief of the Danish Force in Afghanistan. Kim Kristensen comes from the small Danish city of Vordingborg, he is married to Tine Kristensen and they have two sons together. In 2009, he was named Leader of the Year in Denmark and he has written several books on modern leadership.
The Lord Chamberlain of Denmark is the highest office of the Royal Household in Denmark and the most distinguished of the Chamberlains of the Royal Household. The title corresponds to the British title, Lord Chamberlain of the Household. The title gives precedence in the First Class in the Danish order precedence, and the bearer is thus entitled to the style “His Excellency”.
Being the Lord Chamberlain can be compared to being the CEO of a company. In this case, the company is the Royal House, which employs about 130 people. The Lord Chamberlain maintains close contact with Queen Margrethe about the court’s daily administration and is in charge of this year’s major events.
NordenBladet — In its meeting on 22 March, the Government discussed the possible adoption of restrictions on movement. The preparation of the restrictions will continue and the Government will return to the issue in its informal meeting tomorrow at 18.00. The Government will also inform the parties in Parliament about the restrictions at 16.00.
Temporary closure of food and beverage service business continues
The Government decided to propose that the closure of restaurants be continued by three weeks until 18 April. The continuation of the closure was deemed necessary based on the epidemic situation. A related government proposal is due to be submitted to Parliament in an extraordinary government plenary session on 23 March.The closure is to continue under the same conditions as the current closure. Restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses will remain closed to customers in areas where the COVID-19 epidemic situation is the most serious. Provisions on the areas of application will be laid down by government decree. Food and beverage service business will stay closed to customers in the regions where the epidemic is in the acceleration or community transmission phase. With the exception of Southern Ostrobothnia, the regions will remain the same as under the current closure. The epidemic situation in South Ostrobothnia will be re-examined by tomorrow 23 March.
Uusimaa
Southwest Finland
Satakunta
Kanta-Häme
Pirkanmaa
Päijät-Häme
Kymenlaakso
South Karelia
South Savo
Central Finland
Ostrobothnia
North Ostrobothnia
Lapland
Åland
The following regions do not fall under the closure requirement: North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and North Savo. In these regions, food and beverage service business must observe provisions laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act and by virtue of the same Act.
The food and beverage service businesses to remain temporarily closed will include cafés, restaurants, bars and nightclubs that are open to the public. The restriction will also affect outdoor terraces. It will not affect canteens in residential homes for older people or staff restaurants that are not open to other customers, for example.
During the closure, restaurants and cafés are still allowed to sell portions directly to the customer for takeaway or deliver them either themselves or using other service providers.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has prepared a support model for the reasonable compensation of businesses affected by the current closure measures. This aid is to be implemented as part of business cost support. The proposal is currently under consideration by Parliament.
NordenBladet — On 18 March 2021, Finnish Ambassador to Iraq Vesa Häkkinen opened an Honorary Consulate of Finland in Mosul together with Najm Al-Jubouri, Governor of the Nineveh Governorate. The Honorary Consulate of Finland is the first foreign honorary consulate in Mosul.
Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen (in the middle) met with the new Honorary Consul of Finland in Mosul Nouri Al-Mosawi (left) and Governor Najm Al-Jubouri of the Governorate of Ninewa. Photo: Maija Miettinen-Timko
By opening an Honorary Consulate in Mosul, Finland wants to demonstrate its support for the reconstruction of Iraq. In 2014, Mosul suffered very serious damages after terrorist organisation ISIL took control of the city. The battle for Mosul ended in a victory over ISIL in July 2017.Mosul, a city on the bank of the Tigris River in northwest Iraq, is the second biggest city in Iraq. Tradition has it that the city was founded in 641. It is the capital of the Governorate of Nineveh. The consular district covers the whole governorate.
The Honorary Consul’s task is to promote the economic and cultural relations between Finland and Iraq
The newly appointed Honorary Consul of Finland in Mosul, Nouri Al-Mosawi, has an extensive knowledge of business life in Iraq, the Middle East and Finland. His spouse, Hala Al-Sarraf, is Executive Director of the Iraq Health Access Organization (IHAO), which is a non-governmental non-profit organization. IHAO’s office and the Finnish Honorary Consulate in Mosul are located in the same building.
Visit to Al-Yarmouk Park, which is a UN Habitat rehabilitation project in Mosul. Finland has taken part in projects carried out by the UN in the region by funding mine clearance by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Honorary Consul of Finland in Mosul Nouri Al-Mosawi in the middle. Photo: Vesa Häkkinen
The key task of the Honorary Consul of Finland in Mosul is to work in cooperation with the Embassy of Finland in Baghdad and promote the commercial, economic and cultural relations between Finland and Iraq and especially between Finland and the district under the jurisdiction of the Honorary Consulate. The Honorary Consul will participate in efforts to strengthen the image of Finland in the country. He may also give advice to Finnish companies in matters relating, for example, to local business culture and possible cooperation partners. The Honorary Consulate of Finland in Mosul does not provide consular services.
Honorary consulates complement the network of missions abroad
Honorary consulates complement Finland’s network of missions abroad, which consists of embassies, consulates general, consulates and other missions. Honorary consuls are private citizens handling the task on a part-time basis without remuneration. Finland has approximately 400 honorary consulates around the world.The Honorary Consulate of Finland is the first foreign honorary consulate in Mosul and the only honorary consulate of Finland in Iraq. Finland has had an honorary consulate before in Baghdad, but it was in operation for only two years, from 1956 until 1958, when it had to be closed because the honorary consul went in exile. Finland and the Republic of Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1959.
NordenBladet – Ten percent of the total Faroese population of just over 53,000 has been vaccinated for Covid-19, according to public health information website Corona.fo.
As per the government-issued information source, some 5,300 individuals have been vaccinated in the island nation to date, with a little over 4,000 having received both shots, thus fully vaccinated.
That means 7.6 percent of the Faroese population has now been fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the country is currently down to one active Covid case, according to health authorities.
No community spread has occurred in the Faroes since January and the last case was discovered on March 12th, making it likely that the Faroe Islands could be declared Covid-free again early next week.
NordenBladet – The funeral of Erling Lorentzen has taken place at Asker church outside Oslo. Erling Lorentzen was the husband of Princess Ragnhild, the son-in-law of King Olav and the brother-in-law of King Harald.
The Norwegian Royal Family was among the congregation with King Harald, Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Märtha Louise and Princess Astrid all paying their last respects. King Harald walked on his own, but used two crutches.
The funeral was conducted in Norwegian and Portuguese and Erling Lorentzen’s coffin was draped with both the Norwegian and Brazilian flags. Only parts of his family attended owing to coronavirus restrictions. Erling Lorentzen and Princess Ragnhild’s son, Haakon, was not present as he is living in Brazil and thought it was not justifiable for him to travel to Norway. Instead, a memorial speech by him was read by his cousin during the funeral.
The funeral was broadcast live on TV by NRK and TV2. The funeral was only open to invited guests due to the ongoing pandemic. Princess Ragnhild is buried in Asker cemetery and Erling Lorentzen will be laid to rest in the same grave as his wife.
In connection with the declaration of death, a small poem was published at Erling Lorentzen’s own request: “Do not cry over the fact that I am dead, but rejoice that I have lived”. Many members of Lorentzen’s family live and work in Brazil. They had to spend ten days in quarantine before attending the funeral.
Erling Lorentzen, widower of Princess Ragnhild, died at the age of 98 on 9 March this year. Lorentzen was married to Princess Ragnhild from 1953 until her death in 2012. The news was announced on by the Norwegian news agency NTB on behalf of Lorentzen’s family and was shortly afterwards confirmed in a statement from the royal court.
The Royal court stated that Mr. Lorentzen passed away on Tuesday 9 March 2021 at 01.30am following a short illness. King Harald said on behalf of the entire Royal Family: “It is with great sadness that we have received the sad message that Erling Sven Lorentzen has passed away. Our thoughts go to his loved ones, who have lost a good father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather.”
Erling Lorentzen himself played a central role in the resistance work during World War II. He was 17 years old when he enlisted in the fight against the Germans and later he became an officer in the resistance movement and bodyguard for the Royal Family. Erling Lorentzen was regular guest with the royals on many occasions and King Harald has previously referred to him as a brother.
NordenBladet – Last year, the Danish Queen had to cancel her Easter holiday due to the coronavirus pandemic but this year, her traditional holiday will take place. Many Danes take this as a sign that things can go towards normality this year and the people in the part of Denmark where the Queen is usually on holiday are welcoming the news that their royal visitor is finally on her way back.
Queen Margrethe is ready preparing her Easter holiday and in just a few days Her Majesty will move to Aarhus to stay at Marselisborg Castle and celebrate the season as she usually does. Currently, Queen Margrethe is living at Fredensborg castle and locals have told the press that here they have several times observed the queen going for a walk with her dog and enjoying the first signs of spring.
According to the Royal Court calendar the Queen will be staying at Marselisborg Castle in Aarhus from Friday 26 March. Queen Margrethe has a tradition of celebrating the Easter holiday at Marselisborg, and Her Majesty is certainly looking forward to it. Last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen had to stay at Fredensborg Castle and refrain from going to Marselisborg. Last year, the cancellation took place at the same time as the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had to cancel their stay in Switzerland, just as the announcement that the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations on 16 April were also cancelled.
Coronavirus restrictions are still in place for Queen Margrethe, the Danish Royal Family and the rest of Denmark, but as the Queen has been vaccinated, she can now travel freely within her country again. Margrethe also sometimes celebrates her birthday at Marselisborg, but not this year as Easter falls early and several days ahead of Margrethe’s big day on April 16. Still, the Easter holiday gives Queen Margrethe the opportunity to participate in the traditional Easter Service in Aarhus Cathedral, which she often attends.
