NordenBladet — Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today in Chengdu, Southwest China, and held discussions with him on bilateral issues, EU-China relations and some key international questions.
Bilateral issues between Finland and China included international mobility and air and freight transport, as well as cooperation between the two countries in winter sports as Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics in February 2022.
Haavisto invited China to join the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and the Arctic Council Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane.
Sustainable development and climate issues also featured prominently in the discussion on cooperation between the EU and China.
Haavisto emphasised the necessity of China’s contribution to joint climate efforts.
There are high expectations for the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), which China will host in Kunming this autumn, and the event could end up being a key step in the implementation of China’s climate promises.
During the discussion, Foreign Minister Haavisto also raised topical questions related to cybersecurity.
NordenBladet — The EU economic and financial affairs ministers will hold an informal video conference on Monday 26 July. Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko will represent Finland at the meeting.
Anti-money laundering legislative package
On 20 July, the European Commission adopted the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislative package. The informal ministerial meeting will have a first exchange of views on the Commission’s proposal. Implementation of Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF): Council implementing decisions
The meeting will discuss the Council implementing decisions concerning the Recovery and Resilience Plans of Slovenia, Lithuania, Cyprus and Croatia. The plans are to be officially adopted by written procedure after the video conference.
NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit China on 24–25 July. Meeting will take place in the capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu.
In Chengdu, Foreign Minister Haavisto will meet the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss key bilateral issues, the EU-China relations and topical international questions.
During the visit, the purpose is to agree on a mid-term review of the Joint Action Plan on bilateral partnership between China and Finland, promote the operating conditions for Finnish companies in China, have an exchange of views on China’s human rights situation and discuss the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.
NordenBladet — On 22 July, the Government approved amendments to the decree aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 infections to Finland from abroad. People arriving in Finland are required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months. Those who show proof of one of the above will not be subject to other health security obligations upon arrival in Finland.
The obligation to show proof full vaccination or be tested for COVID-19 does not apply to people arriving in Finland from countries or regions where the incidence of COVID-19 or the prevalence of virus variants does not pose a particular risk.
People arriving from the following countries and regions may enter Finland without a COVID-19 vaccination certificate: Australia, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, China, Macao, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Taiwan, New Zealand and the Vatican, and the Norwegian municipalities of Storfjord, Kåfjord, Nordreisa, Kautokeino, Karasjok, Tana, Nesseby and Sør-Varanger.
The decree will enter into force on 12 July 2021. All other persons must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken before entering the country or proof of a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine received at least 14 days prior to entry.
In both of these cases, the person must also take a COVID-19 test 3–5 days after arriving in the country. They must avoid contact with others and remain at home or in their place of accommodation until they receive confirmation of a negative test result.
If a person arriving in Finland does not have proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, recovery from COVID-19, a negative test result or a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine received at least 14 days prior to arrival in Finland, they must be tested for COVID-19 as soon as they arrive in Finland and a second time 3–5 days after arrival.
The obligation to be tested for COVID-19 applies to people over 16 years of age.
The amended Act also specifies exceptional categories of people who are not subject to this obligation. Under the Communicable Diseases Act, neglecting to undergo the required COVID-19 tests is a punishable offence.
NordenBladet — The Government has approved an amendment to the decree allowing entry into Finland without the health security measures laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act.
Persons arriving in Finland from a country or region where the incidence of COVID-19 or the prevalence of virus variants does not pose a particular risk of spreading the epidemic will not be required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months, or to take or show a proof of a COVID-19 test upon entry. The decree entered into force on 12 July 2021.
The government decree has now been amended in the light of the changed epidemic situation. In line with these changes, following the deterioration of the epidemic situation in Malta, Malta will be removed from the decree. At the same time, Slovakia and Taiwan, where the epidemic situation is better than before, will be included in the decree.
Under the government decree, persons arriving in Finland from the following countries will not be required to be tested or show a certificate: Australia, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, China, Macao, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, New Zealand and the Vatican, and the Norwegian municipalities of Storfjord, Kåfjord, Nordreisa, Kautokeino, Karasjok, Tana, Nesseby and Sør-Varanger. The amendments to the decree will enter into force on 26 July 2021.The decree will be amended if the epidemiological situation so requires.
NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The amended decree will enter into force on 24 July 2021.
In line with the decree, restrictions on the opening and licensing hours of food and beverage service businesses will be in force in the following regions where the epidemic is in the acceleration phase: Kymenlaakso, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Uusimaa and Southwest Finland. In these regions, food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and may be open between 5.00 and 1.00.
Restaurants that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may have half the normal number of customer seats in use in indoor premises. Other restaurants may seat 75 per cent of their normal number of customers inside their establishments. As before, all customers must have their own seat by a table or counter when indoors. The number of customer seats on outdoor terraces is not limited. The obligations to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance apply in areas where the epidemic is at a stable level and in the acceleration phase.
The restrictions laid down in the decree do not apply to the activities of staff restaurants or to takeaway sales of food to customers. The restrictions on opening hours do not apply to food and beverage service businesses on vessels and aircraft that operate between Finland and other countries or abroad or to food and beverage service businesses that operate at distribution stations for liquid fuels.
Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Åland, South Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, North Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Savo, North Karelia, Central Finland, South Savo, Ostrobothnia, Satakunta, South Karelia, Kanta-Häme and Lapland from 24 July: no separate restrictions on the number of customers or licensing and opening hours.
The regional epidemic situation will be reviewed over the course of next week. If the situation deteriorates, the restrictions on the opening hours of food and beverage service businesses may be further extended.
NordenBladet — The number of new COVID-19 cases has been increasing over the past four weeks. The total number of new cases reported between 12 and 18 July was 2,210. The number of cases per week has quadrupled and the share of positive samples has risen to 2.3 per cent since mid-June. Due to vaccination coverage, the number of serious cases requiring hospital care has not increased this summer as fast in proportion to the number of new cases as earlier during the epidemic. The overall epidemiological situation is, however, worrying because of the rapid increase in the number of new cases.
Currently, the estimated effective basic reproduction number is now 1.0–1.25, with a 90 per cent probability.Most infections currently originate in Finland with young adults, for example, visiting bars and social gatherings.
Between 12 and 18 July, almost 60 per cent of infections were reported among people aged 10–29 and predominantly among those between 18–23 years of age. For that reason, the young and young adults should reduce social contacts with risk of infection and get vaccinated as soon as this is made possible.
Due to the increase in the number of new cases especially among young adults, and the subsequent exposures, some areas in Finland have experienced contact tracing backlogs. Those exposed to COVID-19 play a key role in efforts to clear the backlog. Based on legislation, they must assist authorities in the tracing of transmission chains and follow instructions to break transmission chains without delay.Between 12 and 18 July, ten per cent of all infections were contracted abroad. The proportion of subsequent further infections was 2 per cent. During the past month, the number of positive COVID-19 cases of all samples taken increased by almost one percentage point, reaching 2.3% in week 28 (12 and 18 July). This indicates that not all infections are traced as efficiently as before. The number of cases is at the same level as in the previous week. On the other hand, 72% of the domestic infections caught between 12 and 18 July could be traced successfully. The proportion has improved, i.e. the figure has increased, from the previous week by 8 percentage points. Approximately 6,000 people were quarantined, which is about 1,200 people more than in the previous week.
Vaccinations reduce need for hospital careAs a result of vaccination, the need for hospital care is no longer increasing at the same rate as the number of infections. More than half of the COVID-19 patients currently in intensive care are under 50 years of age. Based on the information provided by the hospital districts, a total of 56 people were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease on 21 July 2021. Of them, 6 were inpatients in primary healthcare, 40 inpatients in specialised healthcare and 10 inpatients in intensive care.
According to the forecast, the number of new periods in specialised healthcare and intensive care in Finland will continue to increase slightly over the next week. No new deaths related to coronavirus have been reported in the communicable diseases register during the period between 14–21 July 2021. During the epidemic, a total of 978 deaths related to the disease have been reported by 21 July 2021. More than 5.1 million doses of coronavirus vaccine have been administered in Finland. In Finland, about 64 per cent of the population have received at least their first vaccine dose and 28 per cent their second dose.
NordenBladet — Finland is proud to present its candidacy to a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2022–2024 term. Previously, Finland served as a member of the Human Rights Council for a period of one year starting in 2006, when the Council was newly established.
Finnish democracy is based on the rule of law, with the Constitution giving every individual strong protection for human dignity, personal integrity and human rights. Trust and mutual respect between people, as well as the institutions that maintain these rights and values, are key elements of well-being in Finland.
Finland underscores the importance of the rules-based international system, its obligations and the universal and binding nature of human rights. Finland underlines the importance and interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, development, and human rights as mutually reinforcing elements. Finland takes a proactive and constructive approach to strengthening multilateral cooperation.
Finland is firmly committed to the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other key covenants adopted, particularly the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Finland has based its own foreign and security policy, including its international development cooperation, on human rights norms and principles.
Finland is a party to seven core United Nations human rights treaties and recognizes the competence of each treaty body to consider human rights complaints against Finland. As a member state of the Council of Europe, Finland is also a party to several regional human rights treaties and is subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. All Governments are accountable under international human rights law.
We recognize the inherent dignity of every person and everyone’s right to full enjoyment of all human rights without discrimination. Advancing gender equality and promoting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of all women and girls are longstanding priorities of Finland, both at home and internationally. Finland emphasizes that the rights of persons belonging to minorities or in vulnerable situations need to be fully protected. Finland respects and promotes the realization of indigenous peoples´ rights, including the rights of Sámi people living in Finland and neighbouring countries.
The role of and collaboration with civil society is an integral element of the promotion and protection of human rights both nationally and internationally. The National Human Rights Institution of Finland and non-governmental organizations play a vital part in our society. In Finland, open governance and public access to official documents contribute to transparency and accountability as well as to the implementation of human rights.Finland believes that climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are exposing humankind to unprecedented challenges regarding the safeguarding of our living conditions and human rights.
Finland regards the Human Rights Council as a fundamental cornerstone of the multilateral system and would be honoured to serve as its member with the objective of strengthening the respect for universal human rights for all.
NordenBladet — Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen will visit the Tokyo Summer Olympics on 23–27 July 2021. During his visit, Minister Kurvinen will attend the opening of the Olympic Games and show his support for Finland’s athletes. He will also meet with Japanese partners to discuss issues related to education, research and innovation.
Minister Kurvinen will watch the Finnish athletes compete at the competition venues. On his trip, Minister Kurvinen will also meet with representatives from the Japanese Government to discuss the themes of education and competence, especially from the perspective of the digital transformation, research and innovation.
“Our athletes have had a tough time during COVID-19, and preparing for the Olympic Games has been very challenging. Despite this, we have managed to put together a great team. Top Finnish athletes now have the opportunity to show their skills to the world. By attending the games, I want to show my support for the Finnish Olympic Team and for Finnish sport,” Minister Antti Kurvinen says.
Minister Kurvinen will also visit the Metsä Pavilion located on the grounds of the Finnish Embassy in Tokyo. The pavilion is Finland’s 15-month export promotion project aiming to strengthen trade relations between Finland and Japan. The main themes of the project are digitalisation and technology, sustainable development, and tourism and nature. Discussions during the visit will also explore sustainable development and the circular economy in connection with sport and the construction of sports facilities.
Minister Kurvinen’s trip will be arranged in strict compliance with the health safety provisions in place and with the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the competition organisers. The Tokyo Summer Olympics will take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has decided to send material assistance to Lithuania through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Lithuania has requested international assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, where Finland is a member.Finland will send hall tents and blankets to Lithuania. The Lithuanian authorities have requested material assistance from other EU countries, as a record number of refugees have arrived in Lithuania via Belarus in recent weeks.The material assistance will be delivered through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as part of the European Union’s joint assistance mission. The Ministry of the Interior has cooperated with the National Emergency Supply Agency and the Finnish Red Cross in the procurement and transport of supplies. The European Commission supports the Member States that are sending material assistance in their transport costs.
