Sweden: Prince Daniel opens new organisation to stamp out doping in sport

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January 12, 2021

NordenBladet – Prince Daniel has opened a brand new organisation “Anti-doping Sweden”. The body is a newly formed independent organization which from 2021 is Sweden’s national anti-doping organization. Previously, the responsibility lay with the Swedish Sports Confederation. Prince Daniel inaugurated the organization’s activities on January 11th 2021.

For many years, Prince Daniel has been heavily involved in sports and the fight for a more healthy and active society. He has had a passion for sports all his life, and following a brief time in the army after graduating from school, he became a fitness instructor and personal trainer before meeting Crown Princess Victoria.

His Royal Highness opened the organization in a digital ceremony. In his speech Prince Daniel said: “Sport is for everyone. There, everyone should have the opportunity to participate and compete, on equal terms. If you break the rules, you have to take the consequences – and those consequences must also be on equal terms. No matter who or where you are. We all want a clean, neat and fair sport. And if we are to get there, we must have effective anti-doping work everywhere in the world. The new world anti-doping code is another step towards that goal.“

Prince Daniel continued: “I am both proud and grateful that the Swedish sports movement has so many leaders and activists who push this issue, at all levels. I believe that it is absolutely crucial for the credibility of sport. Sweden has long been at the forefront of the fight against doping, and we will continue to do so. I hereby declare Anti-Doping Sweden inaugurated. I wish you the best of luck and I look forward to following your work in the future!”

Anti-Doping Sweden says in a statement that they will defend the obvious right of all athletes to participate in a sport free from doping. To achieve the goal, the fight against doping is waged by various means at all levels of sport. In several interviews, Prince Daniel has said that he wants to fight to make a change. During an interview, he said: “I think that we have to understand that changing public health trends is not easy. I think that all stakeholders have to come together and do what they can and see the potential and see their own responsibility in this matter.”

Photo by Victor Ericsson/Kungl. Hovstaterna

Sweden: King Carl Gustaf joined by Crown Princess Victoria for discussions on war preparedness

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 12, 2021

NordenBladet – King Carl Gustaf of Sweden has been joined by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel at the annual Swedish Defence conference. The conference was this year digital due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the King kept up his tradition of his attendance on the conference. This years conference was also broadcasted live on Swedish TV on the channel SVT2.

At the opening of the national conference on January 11th 2021, the King gave with a live greeting to this year’s participants and audience. In his greeting, the King said: “I have had the opportunity to attend the conference for a number of years. I believe that this conference will be as good as ever. I look forward to it and wish you all the best of luck and prosperity.”

While the King was at his office at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel attended the conference from Haga castle. King Carl Gustaf, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel will also attend the conference on January 12th.

The seminar is run by the organisation “People and Defence” and is regarded as Sweden’s most important forum for discussions on security politics, defence and Swedish war preparedness. It is not just military participating in the seminar. In addition, politicians, civil organisations, professional organisations, the Swedish business community and representatives of several youth organisations were present along with the King at the seminar.

King Carl XVI Gustaf has a special role in Swedish defence. As most monarchs worldwide, he is his nation’s top military commander. The King completed his military service in 1968 when he graduated as a naval officer in the Royal Swedish Navy. Afterwards, he took leadership courses and became a Lieutenant in the Svea bodyguards, Navy, Air Force and the Jemtland regiment. After the King ascended the throne when his grandfather died, he achieved the rank of Captain for both the Swedish fleet, army and air force through military education. He was automatically General and Admiral when he became King.

Photo by Kungl. Hovstaterna

Finland: Prime Minister Marin urges EU to speed up COVID-19 vaccine distribution

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 12, 2021

NordenBladet — On Monday 11 January, Prime Minister Sanna Marin sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in which she thanked the Commission for organising the joint EU procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and urged the EU to take measures to speed up the distribution of vaccines.

Prime Minister Marin called on the Commission to do its utmost to ensure that pharmaceutical companies are producing vaccines as efficiently as possible and that the vaccines procured jointly by the EU can be distributed to the Member States more quickly than at present. Prime Minister Marin hopes the Commission will provide an update on the vaccine situation at the videoconference of EU leaders taking place next week.

Prime Minister Marin also raised the issue of vaccine availability in her telephone conversation this evening with Prime Minister António Costa of Portugal, which currently holds the Presidency of the EU Council. In addition, the prime ministers discussed the programme of the Portuguese Presidency, the main objectives of which are to accelerate economic recovery through a green and digital transition, to advance the European social pillar and to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Iceland: Music streamed 1.2 billion times in Iceland during 2020

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 11, 2021

NordenBladet — According to RUV, Icelanders streamed music 1.2 billion times during 2020, as shown from data provided by the Icelandic Association of Record Publishing Companies.

Spotify was noted as the dominating streaming service, with Icelanders streaming on the platform 1.1 billion times. Icelandic music made up to 18 percent of the total, with popular artists Bríet, Bubbi Morthens, JóiPé & Króli, Auður, and Ásgeir topping the list.

In total, Icelandic artists and record publishers earned near to 250 million ISK throughout 2020, roughly 2 million USD, the highest profit in Iceland for musicians over the past decade.

Finland: 26 applicants for the position of Under-Secretary of State

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 11, 2021

NordenBladet — The Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment assists the Permanent Secretary in managing and coordinating strategically important policies and steering of activities and operational models in the Ministry and its administrative branch. This is a new position.

The Under-Secretary of State assists the Permanent Secretary in the preparation and management of large-scale special projects and reforms, particularly those related to employment and labour market policy.

Persons who applied for the position of Under-Secretary of State:
Tuulia Hakola-Uusitalo
Teija Hakulinen
Kai Heinonen
Ilkka Hietala
Päivi Hutukka
Eeva-Liisa Inkeroinen
Tuomas Mänttäri
Mikko Nieminen
Pasi Patrikainen
Hanna (Hanne) Salonen
Reetta Salonen
Juha Savela
Pekka Sinko
Harri Taivassalo
Tom Venho
11 applicants did not want their names published.

Applications were accepted until Monday 11 January 2021 at 16.15. The list of applicants may be updated if more applications that have been submitted by the deadline arrive later by post or through the Registry.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland: 19 applicants for the position of Director General at Geological Survey of Finland

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 11, 2021

NordenBladet — The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) is an internationally oriented expert organisation operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

Persons who applied for the position of Director General:
Niina Ahtonen
Olli Breilin
Mikko Eklund
Tommy Grahn
Anni Huhtala
Markku Järvenpää
Kari Knuutila
Jaakko Koppinen
Jarkko Koskinen
Pasi Niemistö
Antti Rautavaara
Markus Sovala
Kimmo Tiilikainen
Antti Toivanen
Saku Vuori

4 applicants did not want their names published.

The position became available after the current Director General Mika Nykänen was selected as chief executive of Helsinki Region Transport HSL.

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) is an internationally oriented expert organisation operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The GTK produces geological information and services for the needs of society and business. The information produced by the GTK promotes the sustainable use of natural resources. The GTK provides extensive expert, research and laboratory services as well as digital services, which it continuously develops. More than 400 experts work at the GTK.

Applications were accepted until Monday 11 January 2021 at 16.15. The list of applicants may be updated if more applications that have been submitted by the deadline arrive later by post or through the Registry.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland: Prime Minister Marin and Estonian Prime Minister Ratas discuss COVID-19 situation and prospects for sustainable recovery

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 11, 2021

NordenBladet — On 11 January, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas discussed bilateral relations between Finland and Estonia, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and progress on vaccine coverage in the EU, other topical EU matters and international issues.

Prime Minister Marin thanked Estonia for its good management of the Nordic-Baltic NB8 cooperation format during its term as coordinator in 2020. As coordinator of the NB8 cooperation format this year, Finland will be focusing on the digital transformation, innovation and climate policy.

The prime ministers engage in regular discussions on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and other topical issues.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Estonia: The Constitutional Committee condemned the proposed amendments that were contrary to Estonia’s independence

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 10, 2021

NordenBladet — At its extraordinary sitting today, the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the proposed amendments to the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu 288 OE. The Committee adopted a Statement which condemns the motions to amend regarding Estonia becoming a part of Russia and surrendering Saaremaa Island to Latvia.

The Statement says: “In their work, the Members of the Riigikogu must proceed from the oath of office of a Member of the Riigikogu and from the Constitution of Estonia. Article 2 of the Constitution provides that the land, territorial waters and airspace of the Estonian state are an inseparable and indivisible whole.

All motions to amend submitted by the Members of the Riigikogu that concern making Estonia a part of Russia and surrendering the island of Saaremaa to Latvia contradict the oath of office of Member of the Riigikogu and the Good Practice of the members of the Parliament, and damage the international reputation of Estonia.

We call on the members of the Riigikogu who submitted these motions to apologise for them. We condemn such activities on behalf of the Constitutional Committee.”

The Statement was supported by Anti Poolamets, Heiki Hepner, Martin Repinski, Marko Šorin (substitute member of Andrei Korobeinik), Tõnis Mölder (substitute member of Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski) and Kalle Grünthal.

Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Kruuse, Ants Laaneots and Jüri Jaanson have withdrawn their motions to amend containing the question “Would it be better to live in the Republic of Estonia if the Republic of Estonia were a part of Russia?”

The Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu will continue preparations for the second reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Holding a Referendum on the Issue of the Definition of Marriage” at its extraordinary sitting at 12 noon on Sunday, 10 January.

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu on holding a Referendum on the issue of the definition of marriage (288 OE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and the Faction Isamaa, passed its first reading in the Riigikogu on 14 December 2020. The second reading is scheduled for 13 January.

The Bill provides for submitting the following question (other national issue): “Shall marriage remain a union between a man and a woman in Estonia?” to the referendum to be held on 18 April 2021. By the date for submitting amendments, 9317 motions to amend the Draft Resolution were submitted.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Finland: Prime Minister Marin and Lithuanian Prime Minister Šimonytė discuss COVID-19 and Nordic-Baltic cooperation

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 8, 2021

NordenBladet — In a telephone conversation on 8 January, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė discussed bilateral relations between Finland and Lithuania, EU affairs and international issues.

Prime Minister Marin congratulated Šimonytė on her recent appointment as Prime Minister. The Prime Ministers have not yet met in person, but they talked via video connection.

The discussion highlighted the importance of EU cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to ensuring adequate vaccine procurement. The Prime Ministers exchanged views on the national implementation of EU recovery measures, the green transition in the agricultural, energy and transport sectors, education, and the digital transformation.

The Prime Ministers also exchanged views on opportunities for closer cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries. Finland will coordinate the regional Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation format in 2021. During its term as coordinator, Finland aims to focus on the digital transformation, innovation and climate policy.

The Prime Ministers also had a comprehensive discussion on relations with Russia and the situation in Belarus.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland: Minister Kiuru calls on EU to take action to ensure delivery of vaccines

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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January 8, 2021

NordenBladet — The EU should exert great pressure on the vaccine manufacturers to ensure the speedy delivery of vaccines to the EU Member States, says Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru.

In her letter to Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Minister Kiuru emphasises that she finds it unacceptable that the deliveries to the EU have been delayed while some other countries have received ample quantities of vaccines. She also underlines that it is important not to compromise on the safety of vaccines.

In her letter, Minister Kiuru also welcomes the initiative to scale up production capacity in the EU through public funding. However, she wishes to stress that this investment should be turned into concrete results through speedier delivery of vaccines.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi