NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 3–4 December 2020. The Foreign Ministers of the OSCE participating States will participate in the meeting via video teleconferencing (VTC) under the leadership of Albania, which holds the current OSCE Chairmanship. The meeting aims to decide on appointments of senior OSCE officials and to confirm the Chairmanships for 2023 and 2024.The ongoing conflicts in the OSCE region, especially the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the political and human-rights situation in Belarus, and the Ukraine conflict will be discussed at the meeting. Finland emphasises the implementation of the OSCE commitments and the use of OSCE instruments to help resolve the conflicts in the region. The OSCE is a central forum for European security. The activities of the OSCE are based on the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which was signed 45 years ago, in 1975, in Helsinki.
NordenBladet — In the past few weeks, the COVID-19 epidemic has worsened almost everywhere in Finland. Because the situation varies from region to region, the recommendations and restrictions may also vary. The aim of the recommendations and restrictions is to prevent the spread of COVID-19, safeguard the resource capacity of the healthcare system and shield and protect people, especially those in risk groups.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has agreed with Finnish mobile network operators and the Emergency Response Centre Agency that the operators will send a COVID-19 alert from the Ministry to their subscribers via text message. The text message urges people to follow the recommendations and restrictions in place in order to stop the spread of the disease. The message reads: “MSAH Epidemic alert:COVID-19 is worsening in Finland. Protect yourself & others. Please follow regional recommendations & restrictions. Read more thl.fi/regions”.The regional recommendations and restrictions are available on the websites of the hospital districts. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has compiled the addresses of these websites on one page:The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions (THL)The text message is one of the measures used to convey information about the worsening COVID-19 situation. The text will be sent in Finnish, Swedish, English and North Saami. The operators will start sending the messages on Wednesday 2 December. They will receive the assignment before noon and the service will start soon after that. The messages will be sent in stages so people may receive them at different times.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has sent a draft government proposal concerning safety, security and service measures at football matches and other sports events out for comments. The proposal would bring into force the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events and amend the Assembly Act.The aim of the Convention is to create a safe and secure environment and a positive atmosphere in football matches and other sports events.According to the Convention, measures aimed at safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the participants, ensuring the smooth running of the event and creating a welcoming atmosphere must all be taken into account in organising the events. Possible tools include regulations concerning security measures and maintenance of public order and security.The Convention aims to improve the safety of spectators by taking into account the experience gained since the entry into force of the previous Convention of 1985 and good practices concerning the organisation and safety of sports events.In addition, the purpose is to amend the Assembly Act to ensure that certain provisions in the Convention concerning safety and emergency planning be taken into account in connection with the events referred to in the Convention.The deadline for submitting comments is 18 January 2021.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has adopted the first decisions concerning investment aid for projects that rapidly phase out the use of coal energy. Aid was granted to four projects totalling EUR 7,715,880. The supported projects involve using non-combustion-based technologies in district heat generation.“These decisions and projects are only partial solutions, but the commitment of Espoo, Vaasa and Turku to completely stop burning coal by the end of 2025 is significant. This strongly supports Finland’s carbon neutrality target, as nearly 40% of emissions of district heat generation come from coal and 12% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the Finnish energy sector are caused by coal,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.The projects are part of broader plans in the Vaasa, Espoo and Turku regions to phase out the use of coal on an accelerated timetable. The recipients of aid will also implement other measures to phase out coal by 2025.In accordance with the Act approved in 2019, coal-fired power and heating generation will be banned in Finland as of 1 May 2029. According to the Government Programme, energy companies that phase out the use of coal by 2025 will receive separate incentives to fund investments replacing coal.Applications for investment aid accepted until the end of February 2021The decisions now adopted are part of an aid scheme that encourages companies and communities, including municipalities, using coal to transition away from coal energy by the end of 2025. A total of EUR 90 million has been reserved for the investment aid.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will accept applications for investment aid for projects to replace coal energy by 28 February 2021.Priority will be given to projects that utilise non-combustion-based technologies. If it is possible, within the scope of the mandate available, to grant aid to other projects, co-generation projects for electricity and heat will be prioritised. The novelty and replicability of technology will also be taken into account in the evaluation of the projects.Applications for aid are to be submitted through Business Finland’s electronic system but they will be processed in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Applications are to be submitted through the system with the following attachment: “Application form for investment aid for projects replacing coal energy”. The remaining aid decisions are intended to be made during the first half of 2021.More information online:Annex: description of supported projects (pdf)Investment incentives to promote rapid phase-out of coal in energy production (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, 19.3.2020)
NordenBladet — On December 2nd, 2020, we incorrectly sent a press release titled “Sustainable recovery working group: Post-crisis measures to boost investments in emission reductions, impacts of all measures on climate and natural environment to be assessed”.The press release was first published on May 5th, 2020, but it was resubmitted by mistake due to updates on our website. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
NordenBladet — Making use of the individual opportunities of regions and urban development are the key means by which the EU aims for sustainable and just development and growth after the COVID-19 crisis. This is why a new emphasis should be placed on EU-level cooperation in urban policy and on a policy that highlights the special characteristics of regions and cohesion. Ministers responsible for urban matters and territorial cohesion adopted the revised Territorial Agenda of the EU and the New Leipzig Charter on urban development. The informal meeting of the ministers on 30 November–1 December was held as a video conference, chaired by the German Presidency.Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen participated in the meeting of the ministers responsible for territorial cohesion on 1 December. The new Territorial Agenda adopted by the ministers is a plan extending to 2030 on how cohesion between the different regions of Europe can be enhanced. This is how Mikkonen sums up the background for the Agenda: “Sustainability and climate challenges keep growing. We must make sure that all regions and residents stay onboard.”The aim of the Territorial Agenda is a just and green Europe. Climate change and biodiversity will have an even stronger role in territorial development. “Towns, cities and municipalities have highly ambitious carbon neutrality targets, while rural areas have many significant assets related to matters such as emission-free energy that boost the climate objectives and a circular economy,” Minister Mikkonen says. She also reminds that policy actions must be customised according to the special characteristics of regions.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is the risk that the economic and social disparities will grow even more, and the ability of the regions to recover varies a great deal. “The different situations of the regions must also be taken into account in the use of the EU’s recovery funds,” Mikkonen says.Among the measures to implement the Territorial Agenda are pilot projects. The purpose of the projects is to illustrate, develop and test ways to take territorial cohesion more strongly taken into account in practice. A good example of this is the pilot project on the role of small population centres for the viability of regions to be launched on Norway’s initiative. The ministers hope that the Commission will take the objectives of the Agenda into account in the legislation and programmes for the next period. The implementation of the cohesion policy objectives is followed by the Regional Policy Committee of the EU. The progress made in the Territorial Agenda will also be assessed in the mid-term review to be conducted in 2024.Towns and cities as drivers of social reforms“Towns and cities, both big and small, have a great role in bringing through social reforms. Towns and cities are in a key position, for example, in the utilisation of digital solutions that promote sustainable mobility and housing. Reforms such as smart transport solutions enhance the functionality and comfort of urban areas. Towns and cities are also needed for the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and getting the new growth started,” Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä said in connection with ministerial meeting organised by Germany. At the meeting of ministers responsible for urban development on 30 November, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment was represented by Director General Marja-Riitta Pihlman.As the main item of the meeting, the ministers adopted the New Leipzig Charter that sets out the principles of the EU-level urban policy. The Charter stresses the role of towns and cities in the renewal of society very strongly.Finland supported the approval of the Leipzig Charter. The key priority of the Charter, just, green and productive towns and cities, supports Finland’s own focus to see towns and cities as drivers of the economy, sustainable growth and positive societal change.The meeting also approved the next stepping stones for the cooperation instrument “Urban Agenda for the EU” first launched on the Netherlands’ initiative in 2016. At the meeting, Finland stressed the need for an active approach to further developing and implementing the Urban Agenda. Based on the Agenda, Finnish towns and cities and Finland as a Member State have participated in nine Thematic Partnerships. Through the Agenda the towns and cities, Member States and the EU engage in cooperation to improve the legislation, funding and exchange of information that impact on urban development.
NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 2 December 2020. The meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs will be held on 1–2 December 2020. Finland, Sweden, Australia, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand from among the NATO partner countries and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have been invited to attend the meeting on 2 December. Finland will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.The video conference is organised to discuss China. With China’s global role growing, its activities are being assessed by various stakeholders, including NATO. Finland considers it important that NATO and its partner countries maintain a good dialogue in questions relating to the security environment.
NordenBladet — The health ministers of the European Union (EU) will hold an informal video conference on Wednesday 2 December to discuss the current COVID-19 situation and the EU Pharmaceutical Strategy. Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru will represent Finland at the conference.At the start of the conference hosted by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, the health ministers will be briefed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the state of play of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Germany’s leadership, the Council has prepared conclusions on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in the health sector. The conclusions cover the areas of strengthening the management of health crises in the EU, ensuring the availability of medicines, sharing and using health data, and strengthening the EU’s role in the field of global health. Finland supports the conclusions.During the conference, the ministers will also hear a presentation on the new proposals submitted on 11 November by the European Commission under the European Health Union package. The package refers to a comprehensive legislative framework that aims to improve the EU’s preparedness and response planning for emergencies and health crises. Based on the questions prepared by the Presidency, the health ministers will also discuss the newly adopted Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe. The Strategy will help create common EU legislation which takes account of both pharmaceutical innovations and the needs of patients. One of the key aims of the Strategy is to ensure more accessible and affordable medicines across the EU. Finland supports the common Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe. The Strategy can make it easier to address problems shared by the Member States.No decisions will be made at the informal conference.
NordenBladet — Call for applications for employment policy project support has been opened to municipalities on 1 December 2020. The call is part of a programme aimed at boosting employment through public procurement. Applications will be accepted until 31 December 2020 in all TE Offices.The national objective is to launch at least 15 regional pilot projects involving several municipalities, which together develop new employment opportunities using public procurement. Municipalities may need separate resources to build the operating model for employment through public procurement and to develop cooperation relationships. The project offers a solution to this by mapping out the types of procurement projects in which the operating model can be used.A new programme for boosting employment through procurement aims to increase support for employment through public procurement, as per the Government Programme. The programme can help support access to employment for people with partial work capacity or those who have been unemployed for a long time, for example. “This call for applications highlights the Government’s willingness to give municipalities a pragmatic way through public procurement to meet the requirement to provide employment. Municipalities can focus on this task thanks to the separate resources provided by the projects. The aim is to facilitate access to employment for those who are in a vulnerable position in the labour market and to create a functional model,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for implementing the programme. The project is coordinated nationally by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. The municipal projects to be launched now form a network of projects.“The new project will further strengthen the role of municipalities in dealing with employment issues. It is positive that the model is being advanced, because the call for applications has attracted a great deal of interest in municipalities,” says Timo Reina, Deputy Managing Director of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities.Information on the call for applications for boosting employment through procurementApplication period runs from 1 December to 31 December 2020 and applications should be submitted to the regional TE OfficeApplications can be submitted by one municipality or several municipalities in cooperationThe project offers 50% of funding (employment policy project support) to build and develop a model for promoting employment through procurementThe procurement projects will either employ people during the project period or the requirement to employ will be used in procurement during the project periodA national coordination project by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities will provide practical assistance and feedback to municipalities
NordenBladet — The German Presidency of the Council of the European Union will convene an informal videoconference of Ministers for EU Affairs on 1 December. The Ministers will discuss the future of the EU and efforts to strengthen EU coordination in the fight against COVID-19. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.The first working session of the meeting will focus on the future of the EU. The session will begin with a short progress report from the German Presidency on the preparations for Conference on the Future of Europe. After this, the ministers will have a discussion with a group of young Europeans on what Europe should look like in 10–15 years’ time.In Finland’s view, the conference should aim for wide-ranging inclusion and consultation of citizens, especially young people. The conference should focus on the issues that are most important to citizens, such as the rule of law, climate change, comprehensive security and the EU’s role on the international stage. The aim is to hold the conference as soon as possible, taking into account the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcomes of the conference will be reported to the European Council in 2022.In their second working session, the ministers will discuss intensifying EU coordination in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate its economic and social impact. The aim is to exchange views on good practices at the EU level and at EU Member States’ borders. The ministers will also discuss areas where coordination and cooperation could be further improved. Finland supports the EU’s strong joint efforts to tackle COVID-19. To overcome the virus, we must promote a common, effective EU strategy.Due to COVID-19, the videoconference on 1 December will replace the informal meeting of Ministers for European Affairs that the German Presidency had planned to hold on 31 November–1 December in Wiesbaden. At informal ministerial meetings, the ministers hold open discussions on issues of a general nature. The informal meetings are not Council meetings, and the ministers do not make formal decisions.Representatives of the Western Balkan countries have also been invited to the informal video meeting.