NordenBladet — Finland’s missions have operated throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Restrictions by local authorities and the disease situation in each country have placed restrictions on operations and customer service and have required significant additional measures to ensure the health security of customer service. It has been possible to contact missions’ customer service normally by email or telephone.

This article answers to following questions:
Backlog in processing applicationsWhy are Finland’s missions around the world unable to provide customer services normally?What is the reason for the backlog in processing applications?Why has processing of family reunification cases, for example, been delayed?Why do missions not increase personnel to ensure that a backlog in application processing does not occur?
Applying an entry permit to FinlandHow is health security ensured in services at missions?Why isn’t it possible for a relationship partner to submit a visa application? Why isn’t it possible for a partner to enter Finland with a visa, even though according to a Government decision this should be possible?If Finland does not have a mission in some country, can a visa application be submitted to the mission of some other country?If Finland does not have a mission in some country, can a residence permit application be submitted to the mission of some other country?If Finland does not have a mission in some country, then why can’t the application be submitted to an external service provider in that country?In some countries, it has not been possible to accept applicants who need an interpreter for the residence permit interview. Why is this?The Finnish mission in my country has a queue and it is not possible to submit my residence permit application immediately. Why can’t I travel to a Finnish mission in another country to which there are flights from my country? 
Other questionsWhy can’t Finland, like other Schengen countries, issue a national visa instead of a Schengen visa?Does the poor availability of immigration services in many countries violate Finnish law or Finland’s international agreements? What new means could be used to facilitate applications for visas and residence permits and cross-border travel? 

Backlog in processing applications
Why are Finland’s missions around the world unable to provide customer services normally?
Finland’s missions have operated throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Restrictions by local authorities and the disease situation in each country have placed restrictions on operations and customer service and have required significant additional measures to ensure the health security of customer service. It has been possible to contact missions’ customer service normally by email or telephone.

What is the reason for the backlog in processing applications?
A significant proportion of visa and residence permit applications are normally received by an external service provider, which sends applications electronically to the mission for processing. Following the temporary suspension of external service provider services due to the pandemic, missions have made every effort to handle duties related to receipt of applications in addition to their other duties. Missions’ premises and human resources are limited, however. In many places, it has already been possible to restart external services to a limited extent, which is helping the situation. In many missions, queues have been cleared, but at several missions this process is still under way.

Why has processing of family reunification cases, for example, been delayed?
Although services were temporarily suspended, applications have accumulated in the electronic residence permit system (EnterFinland) continuously throughout the pandemic. Processing of these applications requires a personal customer service meeting at the mission, for example to verify the identity of the applicant and to save biometrics. Due to the limited availability of customer service visits and the large number of applications submitted electronically in some places, the processing process has unfortunately been protracted.

Why do missions not increase personnel to ensure that a backlog in application processing does not occur?
Increasing personnel would not solve the problem, because it is not possible for the physical customer service premises at missions to accommodate a higher number of customers at the same time while ensuring health security. In addition, travel and entry restrictions imposed by local authorities as well as, to some extent, the lack of air connections adversely affect or prevent the sending of additional personnel. In many places, travel restrictions and lockdowns also affect our customers in cases where they have to travel within the country to the capital city where the mission is located.

In addition, although Finland has a comprehensive network of 90 missions around the world, there is not a mission in every country. Travel and entry restrictions imposed by other countries have, in some cases, made it difficult for our customers to travel from their country of residence to the country where the embassy handling the affairs of their country of residence is located.

Applying an entry permit to Finland
How is health security ensured in services at missions?
As a rule, personal services are arranged by appointment to ensure that the number of customers is not excessive. To avoid infections, there can only be one customer at a time in waiting areas. The customer area is ventilated and disinfected between customers.

Why isn’t it possible for a relationship partner to submit a visa application? Why isn’t it possible for a partner to enter Finland with a visa, even though according to a Government decision this should be possible?
By a decision of the Government, as of 6 August 2020 visa applications based on an established relationship are accepted at all Finnish missions based on the exceptional case policy.Sometimes, however, the pandemic situation causes temporary, unavoidable interruptions to customer service at missions or make it more difficult for the customers to travel within the country to the mission. In a number of countries, air transport has been suspended by the authorities of the host country, so there is no actual possibility to travel to Finland or return to the host country.It is good to remember that, despite the exceptional case policy, all the conditions for issuing a visa under the Schengen Visa Code must be met in the normal way in order for a visa to be issued. The final decision on a person’s entry is made by the Border Guard at the Finnish border.

If Finland does not have a mission in the visa applicant’s country of residence, have a look at the next question.
If Finland does not have a mission in some country, can a visa application be submitted to the mission of some other country?
A Schengen Member State may represent another Schengen Member State if they have entered into a visa representation agreement with each other. Due to the pandemic, representation agreements have been suspended since 19 March 2020 until further notice. The missions of all the Member States are in the same difficult situation. Consequently, the possibility of having a visa matter handled by another Member State has unfortunately been limited.

Finland has sought to promote a common decision arrangement between the Schengen countries. Pending a common decision arrangement, Finland has proposed bilateral arrangements for visa representation. With visa representation agreements still suspended until further notice, the policy for applicants belonging to special groups is that Finland submits, on a case-by-case basis, a request to the country representing Finland to process the visa application of the person in question. Applicants for a visa on the basis of family ties and an established relationship belong to this group. .

In visa matters, the country representing Finland makes all decisions throughout the visa application process in accordance with the Visa Code and the country’s own national requirements and guidelines. These guidelines are determined at a central administration level, i.e. in capital cities. Missions act in accordance with the policies of their own central administrations. It is therefore possible that, even though Finland’s policy is to accept visa applications based on the exceptional case policy, the country representing us may not accept the application if the applicant’s situation does not meet the representing country’s own requirements. Moreover, any consideration of a visa and the decision to grant the visa are also at the sole discretion of the representing country. Finland cannot influence a person’s receipt of a visa, even though the exceptional case policy has been issued.

The visa processing procedure of the representing country may also be lengthy and congested, and unfortunately Finland cannot guarantee that the visa representation agreement partner country will process the application.

If Finland does not have a mission in some country, can a residence permit application be submitted to the mission of some other country?
With a few exceptions, Member States to not accept residence permit applications of another Member State for processing. Finland has always requested this option in connection with outsourcing, but no other Schengen state has agreed to accept Finland’s residence permit matters for processing.

Member States do not have the technical capacity to store and send to another Member State’s system an applicant’s biometrics, such as fingerprints and image, for an application.

If Finland does not have a mission in some country, then why can’t the application be submitted to an external service provider in that country?
Only since 2 February 2020 has the Visa Code allowed the possibility of an external service provider being located outside a mission’s host country. No Schengen Member State has yet advanced to making this change, as the coronavirus pandemic suspended the outsourcing projects of all Member States.Outsourcing is a process in which the personnel of an external service provider are trained specifically in the immigration rules of the country in question, and in which the electronic transfer of information obtained during the visa application, such as biometric data, is arranged on an IT basis from the external service provider to Finland’s visa system. An external service provider cannot therefore, without a separate agreement and information system interoperability, accept a Finnish visa application nor transfer information to Finland’s visa system for decision-making.In some countries, it has not been possible to accept applicants who need an interpreter for the residence permit interview.

Why is this?
This is due to the unsuitability of premises for the pandemic situation. The interpreter normally sits very close to the customer in a small interview room.This does not ensure a sufficient safety distance for the customer or the interpreter.

The Finnish mission in my country has a queue and it is not possible to submit my residence permit application immediately. Why can’t I travel to a Finnish mission in another country to which there are flights from my country?
In accordance with the Consular Services Act and the Decree of the President of the Republic, missions have their own jurisdictions and each mission serves the people living within its jurisdiction. Within the area of its jurisdiction, a mission has deep and extensive knowledge of local documents, contacts with local authorities and actors in the area, and the opportunity to serve customers in the language of the area. The pandemic is restricting the activities of Finnish missions around the world.

Other questions
Why can’t Finland, like other Schengen countries, issue a national visa instead of a Schengen visa?
Finland currently has no national D visa in use. Legislative preparation on a D visa was launched in autumn 2020, led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the authorities.

Does the poor availability of immigration services in many countries violate Finnish law or Finland’s international agreements?
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a very exceptional situation in which not all services can be organised in the same way as in normal circumstances. Legal oversight of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ activities is exercised by the Parliamentary Ombudsman. If a party considers that their rights have been violated, they can submit a complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The Parliamentary Ombudsman may also take matters for consideration on his or her own initiative.

What new means could be used to facilitate applications for visas and residence permits and cross-border travel? The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is working continuously to ensure that safe international traffic is also possible in the future. Utilising digitalisation, it is possible to facilitate processes considerably.Means include the above-mentioned national visa as well as exploring the possibility of conducting remote interviews, both of which are currently being promoted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Q&A about travelling and coronavirus

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health encourages civil society to participate in the preparation of the equality policy report by expressing views on what an equal Finland would look like.

The Government submitted the first ever report on gender equality to Parliament in 2010. At that time, Parliament required the Government to submit the next report on gender equality policy by the end of 2021. Preparation of the report has now started.

The Government Report on Gender Equality outlines the long-term national objectives. For setting the objectives, the report also discusses changes in the operating environment and the social conditions and their effects on gender equality. To support the preparation, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is welcoming views on what issues should be taken into account in preparing the report and what national objectives it should set. All citizens and organisations can submit opinions.

Cooperation with civil society is valuable
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as various experts, are participating in the working group set up for preparation of the report. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for preparation of the whole. The report is discussed in a group comprising secretaries of state and led by Thomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality . Stakeholders will be consulted again as the work progresses.Opinions can be submitted by answering the questions posed on the website lausuntopalvelu.fi until 22 January 2021.

NordenBladet — Finland will join the global Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) network. The informal network currently comprises Scotland, Wales, Iceland and New Zealand. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has also participated in the operation of the WEGo network.The network offers a global forum for discussing the economy of wellbeing and other wellbeing-related issues and sharing information and best practices for the purpose of supporting decision-making. It also promotes the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.The economy of wellbeing emphasises the balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development — social, economic and environmental sustainability. In the economy of wellbeing, public resources are allocated for improving people’s wellbeing. In the long run, the sustainability and stability of society will improve.“Joining the network will give us new opportunities to promote the economy of wellbeing approach, for example in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. This approach makes it possible to create a sustainable foundation for a just, equal, climate-friendly and competent society which is better equipped to respond to future crises and to overcome them more swiftly,” says Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen.Theme of wellbeing economy is important to FinlandThe economy of wellbeing was the main theme in the health and social sector during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council adopted conclusions on the economy of wellbeing under Finland’s Presidency in October 2019. The Council conclusions create a basis for further work on the concept in the EU. Since its EU Presidency, Finland has also promoted the economy of wellbeing approach in other international forums, such as the UN, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nordic cooperation.The economy of wellbeing is also included in the Government Programme. Under the Programme, the aim of economic policy is to increase wellbeing. The Government aims, among other things, to boost the economy of wellbeing by investing in measures that foster people’s health and wellbeing and reduce their need for services.In Finland, the economy of wellbeing is promoted by the division for the economy of wellbeing of the Advisory Board on Primary Healthcare, for example. The Finnish Government discussed the issue of joining the network at its evening session on 18 November. Following the discussion, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen informed Scotland, one of the founding members of the network, by letter that Finland would join the network.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Today, on Sunday 20 December 2020, Finland repatriated six Finnish children and two adult mothers from north-east Syria. The persons are now in the care of competent Finnish authorities.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs organised the repatriation in cooperation with German authorities. In the same connection, Germany repatriated German children and their mothers.

Under section 22 of the Constitution of Finland, Finnish public authorities are obligated to safeguard the basic rights of the Finnish children interned in the camps insofar as this is possible.  The basic rights of the children interned in the al-Hol camps can be safeguarded only by repatriating them to Finland.

The mothers of the children were repatriated together with the children. It is not possible to repatriate only the children. In all actions, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

About fifteen Finnish children and less than ten mothers are still interned in the camps in north-east Syria. Altogether, more than six thousand foreign children and approximately three thousand foreign mothers, of whom approximately 600 children and 300 women are EU citizens, are still in the camps. About half of the children are younger than five years old. The camps in north-east Syria constitute a long-term security risk. The longer the children remain in the camps, without protection and education, the harder it will be to counter radical extremism.

A virtual press conference will be arranged on 20 December 2020 at 14.00 in the Government Press Room.More information: MFA/Current Affairs: Counsellor Pekka Shemeikka, p. 050 311 2361

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a working group to prepare cooperation between rescue services, the police and the Border Guard in the use of unmanned aircraft. The objective of the working group is to harmonise sector-specific instructions on unmanned aircraft and to intensify cooperation between authorities.

The working group will examine, for example, the possibilities of harmonising training related to unmanned aircraft and implementing the training partly in cooperation with the authorities. At the same time, the working group will explore how statistics can be compiled on the carrying out of official activities related to unmanned aviation by using consistent national methods. The establishment of the working group is linked to reforms under preparation in the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. These reforms will update the national regulations concerning the authorities’ use of aviation to comply with European Union regulations. The aviation regulation, which will enter into force in 2021, includes new cooperation and operational obligations for the authorities.The working group now appointed is made up of representatives from the Ministry of the Interior’s Department for Rescue Services and Police Department, regional rescue departments, the Emergency Services Academy Finland, the Border Guard and the National Police Board. The term of the working group is from 1 January to 31 December 2021.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — For the first time, a comprehensive maritime spatial plan has been prepared for the Finnish marine area, compiled in an extensive cooperation process between various actors. The plan is a presentation with a map covering both territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone. It outlines, for example, significant and potential areas for underwater natural and cultural values, energy production, fishing, aquaculture, shipping and tourism. The aim is to reconcile the needs of different sectors and thus to improve the management of maritime industries and the state of the marine environment.

“Finland’s marine area has been searched through, and we have a tool in our hands to help reconcile different maritime interests. We now have a clearer picture, for instance, of the possibilities of increasing offshore wind power. Use of the sea must be based on a healthy sea and archipelago and on the preservation of unique natural values, as identified in the Maritime Spatial Plan. My warm thanks to those who have worked hard for the plan along the Finnish coast for years,” says Krista Mikkonen, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

The Maritime Spatial Plan provides information to serve in the background of more detailed regional plans, such as regional land use plans, and to support regional development work and permit procedures. The information can also be utilised by different sectors. The Maritime Spatial Plan is not included in the system of land use planning and has no legal effect. The plan is updated at least every ten years.

The plan is drawn up in collaboration by eight coastal regional councils. Regional authorities, various stakeholders and research institutes are also actively involved in the work.

Maritime spatial plans are drawn up in each EU Member State located by the sea. The aim of the Baltic Sea countries is that the plans can also coordinate projects and activities across maritime boundaries, secure ecological connections and improve the state of the marine environment.

Future strengths of the Finnish marine area
Northern Bothnian Sea, Kvarken and Bothnian Bay
The area is characterised by a coastline with post-glacial rebound, large rivers with inhabited estuaries, a partly shallow sea area and ice-covered winter conditions. The Bothnian Bay National Park and the Kvarken Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will continue to attract the development of tourism and recreation.

The multisectoral industry based on shipping will continue to play a key role. Most coastal areas and the Kvarken Archipelago are important fishing areas. The Bothnian Bay is home to migratory fish in the Baltic Sea, and aquaculture areas are being developed with marine nature in mind.

The Vaasa-Umeå link creates the preconditions for developing activities in the Kvarken area. The Northern Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay have potential areas for offshore wind power plants.

Archipelago Sea and Southern Bothnian SeaThe location of the Bothnian Sea in the transitional zone between southern and northern species, the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Site and the coastal rivers and estuaries form a unique entity, the preservation of which is supported by the Bothnian Sea and Archipelago Sea National Parks. The diverse cultural heritage and natural values are the attractions of the area.

The region is home to an internationally competitive concentration of ports and high-tech maritime industries. In the future, all industrial activities will focus on solutions that improve the state of the marine environment. The aim is to develop renewable energy production and, in particular, to increase offshore wind power. Fishing in the southern part of the Bothnian Sea and aquaculture based on new technology in the Archipelago Sea are viable livelihoods.

Gulf of Finland
In the Gulf of Finland, maritime activities are integrated while also fostering the good state of the marine environment. The marine area is heavily trafficked and has major international ports, which generate growth.Cities by the sea are a gateway for tourists to the archipelago, whose unique atmosphere also attracts new residents and actors. Sustainable recreation and tourism services are developed on the terms of local residents, nature and cultural values. Research cooperation linked with marine areas creates blue growth, i.e. innovation, product development and new jobs.

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health predicts that the first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arrive in Finland already over Christmas. Finland prepares to start vaccinations alongside other EU countries on 27 December if the marketing authorisation and deliveries are in order.

Vaccine deliveries can start only after the European Commission has granted the vaccine a marketing authorisation. The Commission grants marketing authorisations in the EU based on a scientific evaluation and a positive recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The EMA is expected to give its recommendation on Monday 21 December. The Ministry does not yet know the size of the first batch of vaccines to arrive in Finland but expects it to be relatively small.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Director General Esa Pulkkinen from the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence has been nominated as member of the Commission on the Irish Defence Forces.Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney has established an independent Commission, tasked to ensure that the Irish Defence Forces are fit for purpose and to develop a long-term vision for beyond 2030.

Ireland has invited national and international experts on defence and security policy to work on the Commission. Mr Aidan O’Driscoll, former Secretary General of the Department of Justice of Ireland, will chair the Commission.- It is naturally a great honour for me, as a Finn, to participate in the development of the Defence Forces in another EU member state. In my previous job as Director General of the EU Military Staff, I was from time to time in close contact with Ireland and the Irish Chief of Defence, says Director General Pulkkinen.

He will take part in the Commission’s work in addition to his permanent duties at the Ministry of Defence.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi