FINLAND

Ministry requests comments on Posiva Oy’s operating licence application for an encapsulation plant and disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel by 15 September

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment requests comments on Posiva Oy’s application for an operating licence that the company submitted to the Government on 30 December 2021 for an encapsulation plant and a disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel. The encapsulation plant is located above ground and an underground repository of the disposal facility is located in the bedrock at a depth of approximately 400–430 metres in Olkiluoto, Eurajoki.Posiva Oy’s operating licence application is processed by Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The company is applying for the operating licence for a period from March 2024 to the end of 2070. During that time, the majority of the spent nuclear fuel of Teollisuuden Voima Oyj’s nuclear power plant in Olkiluoto and Fortum Power and Heat Oy’s nuclear power plant in Loviisa would be disposed of in Posiva’s disposal facility. Posiva’s encapsulation plant and disposal facility are expected to operate until the late 2120s, or until the disposal of all the spent nuclear fuel from the nuclear power plants of Posiva’s owners.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment requests statements from several authorities, organisations and municipalities in the affected area, and provides citizens and communities with an opportunity to express their opinions. These statements and opinions will be taken into account when the operating licence application is processed. The Ministry is also prepared to organise a seminar for the authorities during the licence application processing. The Ministry also requests a statement on the safety of the encapsulation and  the disposal facility from the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will process the operating licence application according to the Nuclear Energy Act. The Government will decide later whether to grant the operating licence.In November 2015, the Government granted Posiva a construction licence and the construction began in December 2016. Posiva launched the construction of an underground research facility, ONKALO, in June 2004 based on a Government decision-in-principle and under the supervision of STUK. It is an integral part of the disposal facility.Comments can be submitted via different channels until 15 SeptemberA notice concerning the start of the processing of Posiva’s operating licence application will be published on 8 February 2022 in the following newspapers: Helsingin Sanomat, Turun Sanomat, Satakunnan Kansa, Hufvudstadsbladet, Länsi-Suomi, Loviisan Sanomat and Östnyland. The notice will be published on 9 February 2022 in the newspapers Raumalainen and Nya Östis. In addition, a request for comments on the project is available online in the www.lausuntopalvelu.fi service and a public notice is posted on the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment’s website at: https://tem.fi/posivas-operating-licenceComments are requested via the Lausuntopalvelu.fi consultation service by 15 September 2022. Please submit your opinion by responding to the request published at the web site. If comments are submitted in that manner, they need not be separately sent to the Ministry. To submit your comments, please register and sign in to the lausuntopalvelu.fi web site. All opinions received are public and will be published on lausuntopalvelu.fi.If you do not wish to register for the service, you can also send your comments by email to the Registry of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment at kirjaamo.tem(at)gov.fi or by mail to the Registry of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, PO Box 32, FI-00023 GOVERNMENT. The visiting address of the Registry is Ritarikatu 2 B, 00170 Helsinki. Please include the register number VN/34352/2021 in all comments.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Minister Blomqvist to attend virtual meeting of Ministers for Nordic Cooperation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality Thomas Blomqvist will attend a virtual meeting of Ministers for Nordic Cooperation on 8 February. This will be the first meeting during Norway’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2022. Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers ended at the turn of the year.The main items on the meeting agenda will be preparation of the budget of the Nordic Council of Ministers for 2023 and cooperation in times of crisis. Ministers will discuss, among other things, monitoring of the recommendations included in the strategy report on the cooperation, compiled by former government minister Jan-Erik Enestam. “We will continue the implementation of Our Vision 2030 and the Action Plan prepared to support it.  This will show also in the focal points of the budget of the Council of Ministers. The Nordic countries’ objective to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world has been further accentuated during the pandemic, and we will continue our determined work towards a green, competitive and socially sustainable Nordic region. In this connection, the development of our common crisis preparedness is also of central importance. One of the key themes of the Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers was the promotion of Nordic cooperation in the field of security of supply and preparedness. I am happy to note that Norway has expressed its strong commitment to continuing the work launched by Finland,” Minister Blomqvist says.  The President of the Nordic Council, Member of Parliament Erkki Tuomioja, has been invited to attend the meeting and to contribute Nordic parliamentarians’ views on matters related to the budget of the Nordic Council of Ministers. During the budget debate, solutions will also be sought to the renovation needs of the Nordic House, designed by Alvar Aalto, which is located in Reykjavik. Additionally, the meeting will decide on a new strategy concerning the Nordic countries’ international profile and on the continuation of the Nordic cooperation on the integration of refugees and migrants in society.  

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Joint statement on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Ireland 6 February 2022

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — This year, Ireland and Finland celebrate 60 years since diplomatic relations were established in 1962.To mark this special occasion, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Mr Pekka Haavisto and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney, T.D., acknowledge the importance of 60 years of excellent bilateral relations and cooperation, and our relations as like-minded multilateral partners.Ireland and Finland are natural partners whose technological and scientific expertise is capable of creating a sustainable green future. As we make this transition, we recognise the potential to learn from one another on how we can protect our biodiversity and reduce emissions, share expertise and work on effective climate mitigation and adaptation approaches.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto to visit Tehran

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit Tehran on 7 February. During the visit, Minister Haavisto will meet, for example, President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian as well as heads of the Iranian offices of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other representatives of the international community.The topics of discussion during the visit will include bilateral questions and topical foreign and security policy matters, including the situation in Afghanistan. “Finland and Iran established diplomatic relations 90 years ago. Our long relationship enables direct and open discussions. Finland stands also ready to support regional dialogue in an atmosphere of trust,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto.
 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto to visit Doha

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit Doha, Qatar, on 6 February. During his visit, Minister Haavisto will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and representatives of the international community.The topics of discussion during the visit will include bilateral questions and topical foreign and security policy matters, including the situation in Afghanistan. “Finland opened an Embassy in Doha in December 2021. It is now possible for Finland and Qatar to continue to strengthen their political and economic relations and to engage in wider dialogue on various themes”, says minister Haavisto. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Aki Lindén appointed Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Working group of State Secretaries promoting education-based and work-based immigration to be launched 

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — A new working group of State Secretaries has been set up to drive the achievement of Finland’s goal to significantly increase the immigration of skilled labour. The group will oversee the implementation of the extensive action plan presented in the roadmap for education-based and work-based immigration, and support related cross-administrative cooperation. The Government aims to at least double work-based immigration by 2030, thereby helping to achieve the objective set out in the sustainability roadmap, which is to increase work-based immigration by 50,000 persons. Another objective is that after 2030, there will be an annual increase of at least 10,000 in work-based immigration.  The aim is to triple the number of new foreign degree students to 15,000 by 2030, and to retain and employ 75 per cent of them in Finland after graduation. Roadmap implementation requires extensive cooperationTo achieve these objectives, the Government has drawn up a roadmap for education-based and work-based immigration. It contains measures designed to make Finland more attractive to international talent and their family members. The implementation of the roadmap will also strengthen general government finances in accordance with the sustainability roadmap.The implementation of the roadmap will require determined work and extensive cross-administrative cooperation, which is why a working group of State Secretaries on education-based and work-based immigration was established to support these efforts. “For Finland to succeed in the fierce global competition for skilled labour, it is essential to have seamless cooperation between the various actors involved in the process. The working group of State Secretaries will promote the implementation of the roadmap and make sure that everyone is on the same page,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen. Several ministries represented in the working groupThe working group is chaired by State Secretary Ville Kopra from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Other members include State Secretaries and Special Advisers from various ministries, and public officials.  The term of the working group runs from 4 February 2022 to 31 March 2023. In addition to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the group includes representatives from the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.The group’s work is supported by experts from Business Finland, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, the Development and Administration Centre (KEHA) for Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment; the Finnish Immigration Service, and Employment and Economic Development Offices. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Prime Minister Marin and President of the European Commission met in Helsinki

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen discussed topical EU matters in Helsinki on Thursday 3 February. During her visit to Finland, President von der Leyen also met President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö.In their talks, Prime Minister Marin and President von der Leyen focused on the security situation in Europe. The European Union supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and the integrity of its borders. Any further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response. The Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission also discussed measures that the EU can take, in line with the European Council conclusions, to prepare for different developments. Finland supports the EU’s coordinated communication and joint action. “We now need dialogue and diplomacy and, above all, measures from Russia to reduce military tension,” Prime Minister Marin said after the meeting. Prime Minister Marin and President von der Leyen also discussed issues that will be raised at forthcoming European Council meetings as well as initiatives related to forests and forestry, taxonomy and consideration of winter navigation in on-going legislative proposals. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Need for intensive care due to COVID-19 clearly declining in Finland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — It is particularly important that people aged 60 or over and those belonging to risk groups get a third vaccine dose.On 2 February, there were 343 inpatients in specialised healthcare, while on 26 January, the number was 350. On 2 February, the total number of patients in intensive care was 38, compared to 48 in the week before. Between 24 and 30 January, a total of 38 new COVID-19 patients were admitted to intensive care, while in the preceding two weeks, the number varied between 35 and 60. An estimated 23 per cent of all COVID-19 patients on ordinary wards in specialised healthcare were admitted for some other reason than COVID-19. The percentage was 21 for intensive care.By 2 February, 87.4 per cent of people in Finland who are 18 years of age or over had received at least one vaccine dose, 84.7 per cent at least two vaccine doses and 55.3 per cent three vaccine doses. Over the past week (27 January–2 February), the uptake of the third vaccine dose rose by 3.9 percentage points. The increase in the uptake has slowed down slightly. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Archinfo Finland entrusted as contact point for New European Bauhaus

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of Education and Culture has entrusted Archinfo Finland as Finland’s contact point for the New European Bauhaus initiative. The contact point participates in an EU-wide informal network for exchange of information and experience and communicates nationally on opportunities for participation and funding possibilities.The Commission has invited each Member State to entrust an entity as a contact point. Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment lend support to the contact point in nationally coordinating the initiative.The European Commission’s New European Bauhaus initiative brings new opportunities for collaboration and funding possibilities in the fields of architecture, construction, design, fashion and services. Launched by the Commission in 2020, the initiative implements the European Green Deal and creates aesthetic, sustainable and inclusive solutions and projects for our lives and living spaces. Funding from several EU programmesThe new European Bauhaus is in the implementation phase, which will run through to 2023. Funding to the tune of EUR 85 million will be allocated from EU programmes to the initiative’s projects between 2021 and 2022. The New European Bauhaus will also be included in the priorities of many EU programmes that do not have any pre-established resources allocated to them. The Commission also calls on Member States to support the initiative in their national strategies and funding. The call for applications, which runs until April, for the Horizon Europe programme provides funding for projects that create innovative architectural and design solutions. Current calls for funding are also under way in Erasmus+, including alliances for innovation, which support strategic cooperation between higher education and vocational education and training sectors and companies. The European Youth Together 2020 call for projects, in turn, supports transnational partnerships for youth organisations. A webinar in Finnish on the Bauhaus call for proposals will be held on 15 February 2022. The event will provide information on the application periods and terms of different funding channels. Apply for the New European Bauhaus PrizeThe New European Bauhaus initiative seeks award-winning projects and ideas that exemplify beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive achievements. The winners will receive a maximum prize of EUR 30,000 and a communications package. In addition to existing projects, young talents will also be awarded. The maximum age limit for the New European Bauhaus Rising Star award is age 30. The application period is now open and closes on 28 February.Nordic countries participating together to implement the New BauhausThe Nordic Council of Ministers is currently preparing a joint Nordic Bauhaus programme. The Nordic ministers responsible for housing and construction decided in late 2021 to support a joint programme involving low-carbon construction and the circular economy. Related negotiations are currently under way with the European Commission.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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