FINLAND

EU telecommunications ministers discuss cyber security

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union organises an informal meeting of telecommunications ministers on 8-9 March 2022 in Paris and in Nevers. In the meeting, Finland will be represented by Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.The meeting will focus on such matters as developing cyber security, strengthening resilience and combating disinformation. The ministers will also discuss the challenges of hybrid warfare and the security of communications channels and networks.“A functioning society requires safe networks and data protection. By ensuring information security, we are covered by a national home insurance,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.“The war in Ukraine will have effects in the cyber environment, too. In both Finland and the EU, we are prepared to secure out networks in all situations,” Minister Harakka says.The new EU Cybersecurity Strategy was adopted in 2020. The EU has taken determined action to improve information and network security, including 5G cyber security, by reforming the Network and Information Security Directive and by issuing several data initiatives.Nationally, the development of cyber security has been guided by the cyber security strategies for 2013 and 2019. In summer 2021, a cyber security development programme and the Government resolution on improving information security and data protection in critical sectors of society were released.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Live webcast: Press Conference of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — At the meeting, the Ministers will focus on the Ukraine crisis and the rapidly changing security situation in Europe. Follow the live webcast of the press conference at 13.40.Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, who will pay a visit to Helsinki on 7 March. Follow the live webcast of the press conference at 13.40.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Legislation on Finland’s preparedness to provide and receive international assistance to be reviewed

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to review the legislation within the mandate of the Ministry of the Interior concerning the provision and reception of international assistance.In August 2021, Finland sent a Defence Forces unit to Kabul International Airport to protect the people being evacuated from Afghanistan to Finland and to support the civilians carrying out the Finnish evacuation operation. The legislation within the mandate of the Ministry of the Interior will be reviewed to ensure that Finland will be prepared, if necessary, to send public authorities in its branch of government abroad without a request from a foreign state.The authorities of the Ministry of the Interior’s branch of government could be sent abroad to support another Finnish authority in cases such as the evacuation situation in Afghanistan. The tasks of those posted abroad would include protecting and assisting Finnish citizens and bringing them to safety or safeguarding other interests that are very important to Finnish citizens. The principles of international law would always be taken into account when posting authorities.The project will take a broad view in identifying also other situations that fall or may fall within the Ministry’s mandate and the related legislative needs in such situations.   The project term is from 4 March to 31 December 2022.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Development ministers to discuss the humanitarian situation in Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — EU development ministers will hold an informal meeting in Montpellier, France, on 7 March 2022. The meeting will focus on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and on the EU’s actions in the current situation. Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will represent Finland at the meeting.The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is deteriorating as the Russian invasion continues. It is important that the EU and its Member States coordinate their humanitarian support to Ukraine. A particular challenge is to ensure that assistance reaches its destination in the midst of the war.“Finland is continuing to support Ukraine. It is important to respond to the needs of the civilian population, especially women and children, during the crisis. As a European community of values, we must also ensure the protection of those fleeing the war and support communities receiving refugees in the neighbouring countries of Ukraine. All our efforts to support Ukraine must be coordinated,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.Ministers will also examine more thoroughly the role of development policy as a geopolitical tool in strengthening the EU’s global role and in promoting the EU’s fundamental values. The discussion will be based on the new Global Gateway Strategy and the opportunities it offers for creating sustainable growth in developing countries. The recent EU–African Union Summit announced an investment package of EUR 150 billion for Africa within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative. The geopolitical situation and the COVID-19 pandemic have further accentuated the importance of the partnership between the EU and Africa. Finland supports considerable investments by the EU in the green transition, digitalisation and sustainable development that creates jobs in Africa.Ministers will also discuss the promotion of biodiversity in development policy. It is likely that the discussion will focus on increasing the EU’s and the Member States’ funding for biodiversity. The World Environment Facility (GEF) is the main funding instrument for biodiversity for Finland.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Sweden’s Prime Minister and Minister for Defence to visit Finland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson and Sweden’s Minister of Defence Peter Hultqvist will visit Finland on Saturday 5 March.Prime Minister Andersson and Minister for Defence Hultqvist will meet President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen. The topics of their joint discussion will include Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, the changed security situation in Europe, and cooperation between Finland and Sweden.
 
The Prime Ministers will additionally have a bilateral meeting, the topics of which include the security situation in Europe, economic issues and other topical EU affairs. The Ministers of Defence will also conduct a bilateral discussion.
 
Further information: Jari Luoto, Prime Minister’s State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Lauri Voionmaa, Special Adviser (international affairs), tel. +358 295 160 306, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office; Riikka Hietajärvi, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 304 7997, Office of the President of the Republic; Ministry of Defence, Miikka Pynnönen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 140 117

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

EU imposes new sanctions on Belarus due to its involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The European Union responded to Belarus’ involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by imposing new sanctions on it. The EU Member States approved further sanctions against Belarus on 2 March 2022. These sanctions complement the sanctions adopted on 24 June 2021.The EU’s decision concerns expansion of the sectoral sanctions that have been imposed earlier. The import restrictions will apply to the production and manufacturing of tobacco products, mineral products and all potassium carbonate (“potash”) products. Further restrictions were also imposed on the import of aluminium, steel and cement as well as on wood and rubber products.  In addition, exports of certain machinery and equipment will be prohibited. For the export of dual-use items and technology, the same prohibitions were adopted to apply to Belarus as is the case with Russia. The EU imposed sanctions on Belarus for the first time in 2004. Since the presidential elections in August 2020, the EU has issued five sanctions packages targeting 183 individuals and 26 entities. Additionally, the existing EU sanctions on Belarus, imposed in June 2021, include a ban on arms exports, Belarusian airlines’ overflights, take-offs and landing in the EU area, and certain sectoral sanctions. On 2 March 2022, the EU added 22 individuals from the Belarusian defence administration to the so-called individual sanctions regime against Russia. These individuals will be subject to asset freezes and travel and transit restrictions. Sanctions on mediaCOUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/351COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/350 Exclusion from SWIFTCOUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/346COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/345 Individual sanctionsCOUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/337COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/336 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Minister of Defence Kaikkonen to visit the United States

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen will make a working visit to the United States on 7-9 March 2022.
In Washington, D.C., Minister Kaikkonen will meet the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other representatives of the administration. The discussions will focus on the relations between the defence administrations of the two countries, Ukraine and the security situation in Europe. Minister Kaikkonen will also meet representatives of the United States Congress in Washington.
During his working visit to the United States, Minister Kaikkonen will also visit Lockheed Martin’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed Martin will deliver the F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighters to Finland.
From Texas, Minister Kaikkonen will continue to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where he will familiarise himself with the F-35 fleet, training and maintenance.
The working visit is pre-planned as of early February.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Nordic Council of Ministers suspends all co-operation with Russia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Nordic Council of Ministers is suspending its co-operation with Russia and Belarus. This decision has been made in response to Russia’s military attack on Ukraine.(Originally published at Norden.org)The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation condemn the unprovoked, unlawful, and illegitimate Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. Russia’s acts of war constitute an attack on the European security order. The Nordic countries are united in their solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.The Nordic Council of Ministers has therefore decided to immediately suspend all co-operation with Russia and Belarus. The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation are united in this decision. This means that all programmes, projects, and activities in Russia and Belarus are suspended until further notice.“Russia’s military attack on Ukraine renders it impossible to continue co-operation in the current circumstances. The Nordic Council of Ministers’ co-operation activities in Russia have been underway since 1995. These activities have resulted in hundreds of projects in areas such as health, the environment and climate, and journalism and media, as well as meetings between Nordic and Russian parliamentarians. The aim of this co-operation has always been to build trust, mutual understanding, and development in the region,” say the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation.Despite several setbacks, the Nordic Council of Ministers has managed to maintain contact with Russia where others have been banned. The focus of the programmes has been on people-to-people co-operation, which has served as a valuable support for Russian civil society.Together with the rest of the global community, the Nordic Council of Ministers is sending a clear message to the Russian government. The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation stress that this statement is aimed at the Russian government and not at the Russian people.All news relating to Russian attack on UkraineRead moreNordic cooperationNorden.org: Nordic Council of Ministers

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Foreign Minister Haavisto to meet Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, who will pay a visit to Helsinki on 7 March. At their meeting, the Ministers will focus on the Ukraine crisis and the rapidly changing security situation in Europe.“The very exceptional and rapidly evolving foreign and security policy situation accentuates the importance of close dialogue between the EU Member States.  I am therefore very pleased that I have the opportunity to discuss with my Dutch counterpart. The Netherlands is an important partner for Finland in many ways and a like-minded EU country,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Finland has sent material aid to Moldova to accommodate people fleeing from Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Finland’s assistance includes emergency accommodation equipment for 5,000 people and a field kitchen to help people who have fled to Moldova from Ukraine. Material assistance was provided through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.On 25 February, Moldova requested accommodation capacity, vehicles and communication equipment through the Mechanism to help people fleeing from Ukraine to Moldova. The Ministry of the Interior has cooperated with the National Emergency Supply Agency and the Finnish Red Cross in the procurement of aid supplies. The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre coordinates the assistance delivered to Ukraine and Moldova through the Mechanism.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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