FINLAND

EU energy ministers to continue discussions on ‘Fit for 55’ initiatives and high energy prices

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The EU’s Energy Council will convene in Brussels on 2 December 2021. State Secretary Jukka Ihanus will represent Finland on behalf of Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä. The meeting will focus on the energy initiatives in the Fit for 55 package concerning renewable energy and energy efficiency and the recent rise in energy prices in Europe.At the beginning of the meeting, the energy ministers will hold a policy debate on the European Commission’s Fit for 55 package published in July and, in particular, its proposals to amend the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). In addition, the Commission will present a progress report on the Fit for 55 package to the ministers. With regard to the Renewable Energy Directive, the ministers will discuss which issues the Directive should regulate and how much flexibility should be permitted to the Member States. As concerns the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Member States’ statements will focus on the extent to which the Commission’s proposed measures are balanced between tighter targets and the flexibility that takes into account the national circumstances.According to Finland, tighter targets can be accepted insofar as they actually take the Union towards the emission reduction target of 55 per cent. In case of both proposals, Finland is concerned about regulation becoming increasingly detailed. Instead of too rigid regulation, the EU needs predictable and enabling legislation to give companies the opportunity to make the investments necessary for reducing emissions.Finland considers it important that the outcome of the negotiations on the Fit for 55 package will be the achievement of the minimum climate target of 55% set for 2030, which can also be exceeded. The Energy Council will also exchange views on the rising energy prices and related measures. The discussion will be based on the preliminary report on the functioning of the electricity market published by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) on 15 November. The report was commissioned by the Commission in its communication on energy prices on 13 October.  The report by ACER states that the dependence on gas and few electricity transmission connections between neighbouring countries make the Member States susceptible to high electricity prices. The agency considers the current high prices a temporary phenomenon that it estimates will last until April 2022. According to the preliminary report, no obvious market manipulation has been detected.Finland considers the impacts of higher energy prices on consumers regrettable. Phasing out fossil fuels and increasing the proportion of renewable and other emission-free energy sources are important measures, as they will protect people from price shocks in the longer term. It is Finland’s view that the EU should not take any action that would interfere with the emissions trading system or the electricity market.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Recommendations for academic cooperation with China

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of Education and Culture, together with Finnish higher education institutions, research institutes and other stakeholders, has prepared recommendations for academic cooperation with Chinese partners. The recommendations help to identify the key challenges of cooperation and the features of the academic environment in China. The recommendations seek to ensure that it is possible to uphold the principles that are important for Finnish HEIs and research institutions.Finnish higher education institutions and research institutes have a long-standing and active history of academic partnerships with China. China’s global significance is expected to continue growing. Solving global issues requires cooperation, so there are strong grounds for partnerships. At the same time, it is important to recognise the different systems, ideological goals and values of different partners.The activities of Finnish higher education institutions and research institutes are based on academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The recommendations seek to ensure that Finnish HEIs and research institutions can forge cooperation with Chinese partners based on these principles and interests. In particular, the recommendations focus on considerations related to academic freedom, good scientific practices, security and competitiveness.Recommendations for academic cooperation with China

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Delegation from Kosovo visits Finland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation will host a delegation from Kosovo on 1 to 3 December 2021 in Helsinki, Finland. The delegation consists of political decision-makers. During their three-day stay in Helsinki, the delegation has meetings with Finnish and international experts.They will also meet with the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Anu Vehviläinen, Minister for European Affiars and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen and Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality Thomas Blomqvist.The delegation’s visit is part of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and CMI’s initiative to provide support to Miroslav Lajčák’s work as the EU’s Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland elected Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for 2025

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — On 30 November 2021, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) elected Finland to chair the organisation in 2025. The year 2025 will mark the 50 anniversary the Helsinki Final Act adopted at the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.The upcoming OSCE Chairmanship is a concrete recognition of Finland’s work for and commitment to the promotion of peace and stability in Europe. During its Chairmanship, Finland wants to strengthen the OSCE’s activities as a European security organisation and to promote dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe organised in Helsinki. Finland chaired the OSCE previously in 2008.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Climate change challenges the labour market but continuous learning offers solutions

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — How will climate change and the green transition affect working life and the labour market? What skills will employees need in the future? Finland has drawn attention to the future of work during its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. This topic was examined from the perspective of climate change at a conference held in Helsinki on 30 November 2021.The participants included researchers, public officials and representatives of labour market organisations and businesses. Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen, Research Professor Tuomo Alasoini from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Head of Unit John Hurley from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound), and Senior Skills and Employability Specialist Olga Strietska-Ilina from the ILO spoke at the event.Minister of Employment Haatainen: A green transition requires upskilling, training and guidanceA green transition will support structural adjustment of the economy and help to build a carbon-neutral welfare society. In the pursuit of carbon neutrality, the economy will be supported by developing green technology, circular economy and sustainable industries, for example. The aim is to make this transition fair so that climate change mitigation and adaptation will offer new kinds of work and opportunities to build more sustainable business.New innovations and work require new skills. Minister of Employment Haatainen emphasised the importance of continuous learning in her speech. Employers, employees and society share the responsibility for updating the skills created by the green transition in the labour market.“All our citizens need to be equipped with skills and competences that help them thrive in the green transition. Continuous, lifelong learning is indeed a right, but also a necessity,” Haatainen said.As an example from Finland, Haatainen mentioned the reform of continuous learning, which is included in the Government Programme. It has been prepared in cooperation between parliamentary parties and stakeholders.Measures to ensure a fair and just transitionThe participants at the event’s panel discussion shared practical examples of how climate change has already shaped work. The panellists emphasised the importance of continuous learning and inclusiveness. Most of the funding for education is allocated to young people, but it is important to keep those already working involved in the change too.Two current projects were also presented at the conference. A project by the Nordic and German trade unions aims to ensure a just transition to a carbon neutral society. The project of the Nordic Council of Ministers focuses on the impacts of the green transition from the perspective of vulnerable groups, in particular.At the end of the event, the European Commission’s recent plans to ensure a fair transition were discussed. In December, the Commission will publish a recommendation to address the social and working life aspects of climate change. It is the EU’s objective to be climate neutral by 2050.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

A passport is an important document for travellers — still, it is often forgotten or lost

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Are you planning to travel abroad? The Foreign Ministry’s Consular Services want to remind travellers of the importance of a passport. This letter gives tips on what to do if you lose your passport during your journey.Dear recipient,Remember that a passport is an extremely important document for you during your travels. You must always have it with you and make sure it is up to date. As a passport holder, you are allowed to move from one place to another and prove your identity. This may seem even too obvious. The 24/7 Service Centre of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is daily contacted by many travellers who happen to realise that their passport has expired or that they have lost it somewhere.
 When on holiday, you should be able to use your time for recreation. It is important to plan and find out about matters in advance to make sure that your holiday proceeds as planned. Before travelling, check the validity of your passport. Take a photograph of the passport’s personal data page on your mobile phone and send it to your own email.
 Before travelling, always visit the website of the local Finnish mission in your country of destination to check the rules concerning travel documents and entry into the country. A valid passport for the duration of the journey is not always sufficient. In some countries, the authorities require that the passport remains valid for several months after the journey. If you are a multiple national and leaving a country, local authorities may require that you present your second passport, too.
 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Minister Haavisto to attend meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs will meet from 30 November to 1 December 2021 in Riga. Finland and Sweden as NATO partner countries and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy are invited to participate in the discussion concerning the Western Balkans region, which will be held on 1 December. Finland’s representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.The stability of the Western Balkans region is important for the whole of Europe. Supporting the region is important for both the European Union and NATO. NATO promotes stability and security in the region through crisis management The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) is currently the largest NATO mission with a strength of about 3,700 personnel. Finland has participated in the KFOR mission since 1999 and contributed approximately 7,300 personnel.Engaging in discussions with NATO on topical foreign and security policy questions related to the security environment is important to Finland

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

County elections: Ministry of Justice holds interactive election information clinics

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Election information clinics directed at different target groups play an important role in the Ministry of Justice’s preparations for the first county elections. The Ministry holds election clinics for central municipal election boards, county election boards and journalists alike. Information about the elections is also provided at ‘Multilingual county elections 2022’ events. The main language of the events is Finnish, but participants may also present questions in English and Swedish.At the interactive election information clinics, election specialists from the Ministry of Justice provide municipalities with topical information about county election arrangements and answer any questions asked. These events also provide municipalities with an opportunity to share their ideas on the practical election arrangements with each other. In addition to the clinics, the Ministry of Justice is providing the municipalities with a possibility to attend eOppiva online training.In connection with the 2021 municipal elections, the Ministry of Justice held election information clinics for journalists for the first time, and this practice is continued in connection with the 2022 county elections. Furthermore, this is the first time that the Ministry of Justice holds election information clinics for county election boards and people working with multiculturalism and immigration, such as CSO employees and authorities, as well as for active members of multicultural organisations and multilingual communities, local councillors and county election candidates.The election information clinics related to the county elections are held as virtual events, which was found to be a good practice in connection with the municipal elections of spring 2021. Remote arrangements have enabled closer contacts with many cooperation partners, and the clinics have been exceptionally popular.Instructions and information about the county elections is also available on the Electionsfinland.fi website. Election information clinics will be held until the county elections in January. You can register for the ‘Multilingual county elections 2022’ events by filling in this form.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Minister Kurvinen: Additional funding to support the development of university consortia and to boost their impact

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of Education and Culture has allocated a total of EUR 3 million in additional financing to six university consortia to develop their activities and to strengthen their regional and social impact. The one-off resources will be allocated from the unallocated strategy-based funding of universities for 2020.“The new direction in higher education policy is to strengthen the regional network of higher education institutions,” says Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen.“The important work that the university consortia perform serves students and research activities both nationally and in their respective regions in Kainuu, Satakunta, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, South Savo and Päijät-Häme. With this funding, I want to further boost the imprint of the university consortia,” Minister Kurvinen says.The funding was decided on the basis of university applications. The emphasis when evaluating applications was placed on cooperation to bolster the employment and competence needs in the regions, measures related to research, development and innovation, and collaboration with business life. Ways to promote employment opportunities for students and researchers in university cities were also taken into account.The environments in which university consortia operate vary considerably in terms of the structure of business and industry, demographic trends and innovation environments, so the applications submitted by the different university consortia varied. In addition to their university consortium strategy, all applications had a clear link to their own region’s strategy, key competences or ecosystems under construction.Financing grantedThe funding decisions for the university consortia of Kajaani, Mikkeli and Lahti correspond to the funding level that the institutions applied for.Press release, 11 October 2021: Korkeakouluille lisätukea toiminnan kehittämiseen ja yliopistokeskusten vahvistamiseen (in Finnish and Swedish)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Avoid all travel to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mosambik ja Malawi

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Based on the recommendations of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommends avoiding all travel to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mosambik and MalawiUpdated 29.11: Added to the list  Mosambik ja MalawiA new variant of COVID-19, known as B.1.1.529, which has numerous mutations to the spike protein, has been detected in South Africa and Botswana. Due to the mutations, it is feared that the variant may spread effectively.The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has updated its travel advice for individual countries.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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