NordenBladet — Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the informal videoconference of the members of the European Council on 25 and 26 February. Topics on the agenda for the meeting include the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, preparedness for health threats, security and defence, and the EU’s relations with the Southern Neighbourhood. Finland supports the EU’s strong joint efforts to prevent the re-escalation of the pandemic and, in particular, to curb the spread of more transmissible virus variants. Key measures to combat COVID-19 include effective testing and tracing, more efficient detection of virus variants, and targeted local and regional measures to prevent the spread of infections. Finland stresses the importance of speeding up vaccine delivery to the Member States and supports the Commission’s efforts to increase production in Europe. Finland also supports promoting and enhancing information exchange, horizontal cooperation and coordination within the existing structures.The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for close cooperation and coordination between the EU Member States during health crises. In Finland’s view, it is important to strengthen the Union’s capacity to respond to and prepare for cross-border health threats. When it comes to international health crises, we need to improve our capacity for prevention, preparedness, supervision and coordination during emergency conditions at the EU level. Finland supports the present division of competence in the field of health policy.Finland is also in favour of strengthening and developing the EU’s security and defence policy. The EU must be able to promote its values and interests with determination, and to act independently if necessary. A strong Europe is also a strong partner. In Finland’s view, the EU’s partnerships, such as its cooperation with NATO, the UN and its transatlantic partners, play an integral role in the Union’s security and defence cooperation. Improving crisis management is about fostering peace and stability and strengthening the EU’s credibility. Finland attaches a great deal of importance to protecting Europe and ensuring solidarity between the Member States. To strengthen the EU’s resilience to crises, we need to take into account a wide range of factors affecting security, such as hybrid threats, new technologies and security of supply.Finland supports updating the EU’s objectives with regard to the Southern Neighbourhood and stresses the importance of political commitment from the countries involved in implementing the Union’s Neighbourhood policy. It is vital that the values of the EU, including human rights, gender equality, good governance and the rule of law, continue to be at the heart of our Neighbourhood policy.
NordenBladet — At their video conference on 25 February 2021, the EU ministers responsible for the internal market and industry will discuss national recovery plans, the New Consumer Agenda of the EU and public country-by-country tax reporting. A declaration prepared by the group of ministers from digitally advanced EU countries (D9+) will moreover be presented by Finland.Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen and Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä shall represent Finland at this informal meeting of the Competitiveness Council during which no decisions will be made.A video conference of the competitiveness ministers responsible for research and innovation will take place on 26 February 2021. They will discuss issues related to research and innovation from the perspective of national recovery and resilience plans. State Secretary Anna-Mari Vimpari will deputise for Minister Lintilä at this meeting.Tax reporting for better transparency of business activities and eradication of tax evasionThe ministers will have a policy debate on the proposal for an amendment of the Accounting Directive, set to impose an obligation on both large multinational groups and standalone companies to disclose income tax information. Finland is in favour of this proposal, known as the country-by-country reporting (CBCR) directive. Such public tax reporting would increase the transparency of the operations of large companies without requiring any changes to taxation.
“Tax evasion is a major global problem that distorts competition and erodes the welfare state. We need more transparency to effectively uproot tax evasion. The European Commission started to prepare its proposal for country-by-country reporting tax reporting after the Panama papers became public in 2016. It is now high time to move forward in the negotiations at the EU level,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.Europe’s digital decade in the D9+ DeclarationAt the Council meeting, Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä will present a declaration prepared by the digital group of EU countries, known as the D9+ countries. The focus of the declaration is on Europe’s digital decade and the 2030 goals. Finland chaired the meeting of the D9+ countries held in January 2021.“Artificial intelligence, quantum computers and 5G and 6G technologies, together with the data economy, are the key enablers for the digital decade. The EU must strive for global technological leadership and competitiveness, while maintaining an open single market and strengthening international cooperation,” says Minister Lintilä.National recovery plans to promote green and digital competitivenessThe ministers will exchange views on the role of national recovery plans within the context of the European Semester in delivering on industrial policy goals. The aim is to strengthen the single market, the green and digital transitions, and Europe’s strategic autonomy.National recovery plans can enhance a rapid recovery of the economy and of competitiveness. Finland intends to highlight the importance of a functioning single market during the pandemic. For the EU’s industry, digitalisation is the key driver of sustainable growth and competitiveness.The meeting will also look at the New Consumer Agenda for 2020–2025, launched by the Commission. The ministers will debate, among other things, how the measures to support both national economies and businesses could strengthen consumer confidence in the functioning of the market.
This year we are celebrating the birthday of our country at a rather difficult time. This is not the first time that we have celebrated the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in trying times, for example, in 1919 and 1920, when the people were fighting for their country in war, but also in 1939 and 1940, when everyone was hoping that a devastating war would not come.
In retrospect, we are able to say that things definitely turned out for the better when there was greater unity among the people. When the common goals of society outweighed personal fears, the ramblings of know-it-alls, individual desires for absolute freedom, or taking offense at the actions of government officials. It is quite likely that the people who pledged their lives in the War of Independence shared a dislike for a number of politicians, reviled officials, or direct superiors. Even one’s neighbour in the trenches was often unsympathetic. Of course, many were not fond of forced mobilisation. Despite all this, they worked towards common goals. For the freedom of their people and of the country.
At the end of last year, Ivo Linna said that the coronavirus pandemic is likely our generation’s war. Every generation before us has had their own experience with war. Considering this last year of restrictions, dangers, ignorance and often loneliness, this is probably something that people can agree with. After all, this is not the usual peacetime experience. True – we have not lost people as we did during the two world wars, but we still witness and experience everyday battles and losses.
The most visible battle is, of course, taking place in healthcare – in this battle, the Republic of Estonia has not been defeated. On the contrary, as was the case 102 years ago, we have now turned defence into offence.
However, a much more covert war is taking place on the front of people’s feelings, perceptions, opinions, and doubts. As tends to be the case in times of uncertainty, there is a great deal of disbelief and mistrust. There is harsh criticism and even hatred towards decision-makers. Who should I trust? Scientists, the government, officials, or myself? Should I think and act as I see fit?
Professor Mati Heidmets has called this situation a ‘natural experiment’, one that reveals how strong the sense of unity of a society or nation is. How much are citizens willing to limit their own desires for the greater good? In the War of Independence, our ancestors were able to do so. Sometimes they spat in each other’s food, yet still went into battle together. Certainly not for Päts, Puskar or Piip, but for a sense of unity, for their home and their people.
The same unity existed in the 1940s, otherwise thousands of men and women would not have been able to fight against and hide from foreign rule for years as Forest Brothers. Although disagreements and betrayals occurred, the Forest Brothers never pulled the trigger lightly and the public never stopped supporting them.
Unlike many other nations, in the late 1980s, our sense of unity proved to be stronger than our mutual hostility or disagreements. This feeling of community concluded with the restoration of the Republic of Estonia, allowing us today to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of our country. In the most difficult of times, our people have found a sense of national unity that has protected us. This was the case on the front lines of the War of Independence, during the fight as Forest Brothers, during the Singing Revolution, and it is also necessary now.
As the Commander of the Defence Forces, I can appreciate our modern war heroes. Those who are defending our country by participating in far-away missions, but also those who are currently fighting on the front line against this unpredictable disease.
Are not our healthcare workers worthy of admiration? They are tirelessly fighting for our lives in hospitals and getting vaccinated, despite personal doubts, but doing so in all of our interests. The police also stand face to face with the coronavirus every day, despite not having any weapons with which to combat it. They do so in spite of fatigue and an invisible danger, standing for the people and the state.
Many volunteers – members of the Defence League and of the women’s organisation Naiskodukaitse – are coming to the aid of the state because … the state needs them and the state is needed.
Government officials and scientists are also doing their best in the interests of society, even when they know that some people question their competence, years of study and sincerity, and mock them on Facebook. Nevertheless, they continue working to protect even these people.
Last spring, we placed the conscripts in the military units of the Defence Forces under lockdown, in an effort to achieve the training goals while also ensuring that they can act as a reserve for the state should something even worse happen. Initially, this decision caused murmurings of discontent. However, as the situation became clearer, the conscripts posed the question: ‘Can we not do something for our country?’ The answer is simple: ‘Yes, you can do your duty, but you can also do much more – keep your loved ones safe, inform them and, if necessary, also warn them.’
A British officer serving among us came to me in the spring and said: ‘I have a problem. My soldiers want to help you in the fight against the virus. What can we do?’ They are our allies… This too is a sense of unity.
Last December, conscripts graduating from a paramedic course were asked just before the Christmas holiday: ‘If there is a shortage of staff in care homes, are you ready to voluntarily return from your leave to serve?’ This was a fair question that most answered in the affirmative.
Based on these few examples, I can confirm that I have seen the sense of unity that we need to defeat our opponent. We possess this sense of unity, it exists in most of us, even if we do not realise it ourselves, even if we doubt it. And I can assure you – we have the will, the desire, and the pride to win this war and the next war, whatever that war may be.
I have a feeling that in a few years, on the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, we will be able to say that we have won this war and the result of this natural experiment has been good… because today we have a great 103-year old nation and a people with a strong sense of unity.
NordenBladet — Minister of Labour Tuula Haatainen will launch a study on the mechanisms for resolving disputes that relate to the choice of collective agreements and to the functioning of the mediation system. The appointed rapporteurs are Minna Etu-Seppälä (Master of Laws, trained on the bench) and Simo Zitting (Master of Laws).The purpose of the investigation is, among other things, to take stock of such disputes and their causes. The problem in these disputes is that the employer and the employee cannot agree on which collective agreement should be applied to the work to be carried out by the employee.Another goal is to identify ways and mechanisms to facilitate the resolution of disputes. The rapporteurs will also look for ways to prevent disruptions in industrial peace caused by disputes relating to the choice of the applicable collective agreement. The proposed solutions may concern practices or relate to legislation.“Disputes concerning the choice of applicable collective agreements cause confusion in the labour market more and more often. I doubt that there are any easy and straightforward solutions to remedy the situation. Doing this research in nevertheless important so that the labour market organisations would have at their disposal a wide array of alternatives for maintaining industrial peace and resolving labour disputes,” says Minister of Labour Tuula Haatainen.How well does the dispute conciliation system function?The study also focuses on the conciliation system, especially in the case of disputes concerning the choice of the applicable collective agreement. The rapporteurs are invited to propose measures to improve the existing system. They are also instructed to examine what role the other institutions that support the conciliation system have in the prevention or mediation of labour disputes.The mandate does not cover any issues related to the collective bargaining system.Report by end of AugustThe report will be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment by 31 August 2021.Based on it, suggestions for improvement regarding the operation of labour market organisations will be prepared bilaterally between labour market organisations. Any proposals on the further development of legislation will be prepared on a tripartite basis together with the central labour market organisations.
NordenBladet — In their informal video meeting on 23 February, the EU ministers for European affairs discussed preparations for the informal video meeting of the members of the European Council and exchanged views on the European Democracy Action Plan. The ministers were also briefed on the state of play with regard to EU–UK relations and on the preparations for the Conference on the Future of Europe. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen represented Finland at the meeting.Topics on the agenda for the informal videoconference of members of the European Council on 25–26 February include the EU’s measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic, preparedness for health threats, security and defence, and the EU’s relations with the Southern Neighbourhood. In Finland’s view, it is essential to promote a common and effective EU strategy in order to tackle COVID-19. The EU must strengthen its ability to respond to and prepare for cross-border health threats.Finland also supports strengthening and developing the EU’s security and defence policy. The EU must be able to bear responsibility for the security of its own area and for that of the neighbouring regions.“Accelerating vaccinations and preventing the spread of new virus variants play a key role in the EU’s efforts to combat COVID-19. We also need to launch discussions on how we can better reconcile health security and free movement in situations similar to the one we are now experiencing. We need to create common operating practices that have been agreed on in advance,” says Minister Tuppurainen.The ministers for European affairs held an extensive exchange of views the European Democracy Action Plan. Finland welcomes the Action Plan and considers it highly topical. Finland has actively participated in discussions with the Commission and other Member States on the preparation of the Action Plan and is of the view that it will provide a good framework for strengthening democracy. It is very important to protect the reliability of elections and promote democratic participation, to strengthen media freedom and pluralism, and to combat disinformation, manipulation and interference, including by foreign actors.“We need joint EU measures to combat disinformation and hate speech and prevent the spread of conspiracy theories. We have also raised this issue in our Government Report on EU Policy. It is worrying that people are hesitant to even run for election due to hate speech,” says Minister Tuppurainen. The ministers also received a briefing on the state of play with regard to EU–UK relations. The Commission has proposed extending the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force on 1 January 2021, until 30 April 2021, as the official translations of the agreement into all EU languages will not be ready until the end of April. The Member States have accepted the request.In addition, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union reported on the state of preparations for the Conference on the Future of Europe. In the General Affairs Council (GAC), the EU Member States are primarily represented by their ministers for European affairs. The tasks of the Council include preparations for the European Council meetings. The GAC is also responsible for a number of cross-cutting policy areas, including negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and EU enlargement. Questions relating to the rule of law are also an established part of the Council’s agenda.
NordenBladet — Finland has now completed its first National Child Strategy. In 2020, the parliamentary committee which was responsible for preparing the Strategy formed a common view of the vision for a child- and family-friendly Finland that spans government terms. The Strategy is based on three key ideas, which are to respect the rights of all children, take due account of children in society and support the wellbeing of children. Towards a Finland for all childrenThe Strategy will create a genuinely child- and family-friendly Finland that respects the rights of the child. The rights and status of children will also be mainstreamed, ensuring that children are consistently taken into consideration in all activities alongside with other members of society. Children will be informed of their rights. The status of children in a vulnerable position will be secured, and their needs will be recognised better.Implementation of Child Strategy ensures realisation of children’s rightsThe National Child Strategy will guide the preparation of an implementation plan for each government term. The implementation of the Strategy will ensure that the rights of all children are realised as fully as possible. It will also support the inclusion of all children and their right to a future.The Strategy must be implemented through cross-administrative collaboration, involving a wide range of stakeholders in society, the civil society as well as children and adults of different ages and representing a variety of population groups.Child Strategy covers all children and young people under 18 years of ageThe National Child Strategy applies to all children and young people under the age of 18. In addition, the families in which children live and young adults in the transitional stage between childhood and adulthood are taken into account in the Strategy and its implementation.One of the objectives of the Strategy is to increase the inclusion of children and young people. An event about the Child Strategy will be held for children and young people on Wednesday 17 March 2021. Parliamentary committee formed a common view The parliamentary committee based its work on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and prior studies, and it prepared the Strategy in collaboration. The Strategy is based on the four general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child — non-discrimination; the child’s best interests as the primary consideration; the child’s right to life, survival and development; and the inclusion of the child.“I am very pleased with the work carried out jointly by all members of the parliamentary committee and with the fact that we formed a common political will. We had a clear vision of how the Child Strategy will help build a Finland that respects the rights of all children and be a good place for children to be born and grow up in,” says Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru, who also served as chair of the committee.
NordenBladet — The research project ordered by the Government surveys what types of complementary pathways for legal migration are available in different countries for use by people residing abroad who are in need of international protection. The focus is on work- and study-based pathways. This international comparison can help to support the consideration of the need of complimentary pathways in Finland as well as the international community’s efforts to find new solutions.Complementary pathways refer to arrangements where a residence permit is issued, for example, on the grounds of study or work, to a person residing abroad who is deemed to be in need of international protection. The aim is to enable a person to enter a country legally and safely without having to resort to human traffickers. The objective of the study is to obtain comprehensive information on what complementary pathways can mean in practice and what administrative and legislative solutions have been made by the countries applying these arrangements. Furthermore, statistics are produced on the scope of the approaches and to whom they are applied.Complementary pathways refer to a wide range of solutions, such as work-based and study-based programmes, humanitarian visas and various labour mobility arrangements. Comprehensive studies on the matter have not yet been conducted. The study surveys the practices adopted by a couple of different countries in more detail. The countries to be surveyed will be specified as the study progresses.For the EU, the development of complementary pathways is an important means of responding to immigrationComplementary immigration pathways for people in need of international protection are a significant and up-to-date theme in international discussions concerning immigration. It is expected that the number of people in need of international protection will continue to grow. At the same time, illegal crossings of external borders and human trafficking are characteristic of migration to the EU. The European Commission is leading the search for novel solutions to combat these phenomena in the EU. The European Commission issued an extensive Recommendation in September 2020 on the reform of immigration and asylum policy, which emphasises the development of legal migration pathways as part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration. The Commission issued also a separate Recommendation on the legal pathways. In this Recommendation, the Commission urges Member States to explore the possibilities of work-based and study-based admission for those in need of international protection and encourages EU Member States to share their experiences and best practices. In addition, the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a strategy for 2019–2021 to promote the reception of quota refugees and the use of complementary migration pathways at the global level.Finland has not adopted complementary pathwaysAccording to the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin, the system of legal admission pathways will be developed as part of Finland’s EU policy. The study will create up-to-date information required by the Finnish government and authorities in forming the national view and engaging in the international discussion. At present, persons in need of international protection can receive protection from Finland by coming here either as asylum seekers or through a resettlement programme as quota refugees. Complementary pathways are not used in Finland.The project will produce information to fulfil national needs as well as the needs of other countries as the research report will be written in English. Therefore, the project will support the joint efforts of the EU countries in finding and promoting immigration-related solutions so that functional solutions for an increasing number of people in need of international protection could be found.The study will be completed in autumn 2021The research project is part of implementing the government plan for analysis, assessment and research for 2021. The study will be completed in October. The research team includes experts from the Rehabilitation Foundation, Oxford Research AB and the Migration Institute of Finland. Joanne van Selm, an independent researcher on migration and refugee issues, is also participating in the project. The project steering group selected the party conducting the research through an open application process. The members of the steering group include representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.Additional information:Anna Rundgren, Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Interior, tel. +358 295 488 324, [email protected] Sirkku Varjonen, Special Researcher, Rehabilitation Foundation, tel. +358 44 781 3141, [email protected]
NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has sent the draft law concerning the amendment of the Aliens Act, prepared in cooperation with the authorities, for a round of consultation. It proposes that Finland would also adopt the national D visa. The proposal establishes the visa application and the prerequisites for issuing.The national D visa is based on the Schengen Convention, and the prerequisites for their issuing can also be regulated nationally. With the national D visa, individuals are allowed to reside in the granting country for a maximum of one year. The national D visa also allows to reside in the Schengen Area for a maximum of three months within any period of six months.
NordenBladet — Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend a video meeting of EU leaders on Tuesday 23 February. The meeting is in preparation for the videoconference of members of the European Council on 25–26 February, at which the leaders will discuss the EU’s measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic, preparedness for health threats, security and defence, and the EU’s relations with the Southern Neighbourhood. Today’s small group session, convened by President of the European Council Charles Michel, will also be attended by the Federal Chancellor of Austria, the Presidents of Cyprus and Romania and the Prime Minister of Slovenia. President Michel is organising similar meetings for other groups of countries.
NordenBladet — Prime Minister Sanna Marin has invited Master of Laws Elisa Gebhard to be her Special Adviser. Gebhard, who took up her post on Monday 22 February, will be responsible for the Prime Minister’s communications and media relations.Gebhard comes to her post from her previous position as Public Relations Expert at Finance Finland. She has previously held several positions in the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, including as Adviser to Jutta Urpilainen.
