Finland’s World Affairs
April 2017
European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats is Established in Finland
With the initiative of Finland The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats is established in its capital city Helsinki.
“Finland will be proud to host, here in Helsinki, the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. We are proud, in particular, for two reasons.
Firstly, the Centre represents a concrete step in building Resilience to hybrid threats in the EU Member States and NATO Allies. Secondly, the Centre is a real boost for the cooperation between the EU and NATO, facing the challenge of hybrid threats hand in hand” Highlighted Minister Soini, for Foreign Affairs of Finland April 11, 2017 © Finland MFA
The Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Centre was signed on April 11, by Finland (the host country), France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. More European and NATO member States will join the Centre in the coming months. The European External Action and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization had also their Representatives in the ceremony, and conveyed their continued supports for the establishment of the Centre and its mission. 
Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats by Finland’s Representative April 11 2017 © Finland’s PM’s Office/Laura Kotila
“The Centre will engage in strategic level dialogue, research, training and consultations. It will also conduct practical training exercises aiming to improve readiness to counter hybrid threats. The purpose of the Centre is to raise awareness of hybrid threats and societies’ vulnerabilities that can be exploited in hybrid operations. The aim is also to help foster the resilience of societies.” Described Finnish Government on its Press Release April 11, 2017 © Finland Gov Communication department
“NATO welcomes the establishment of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki and will participate actively in the Centre’s activities.” Stated NATO April 11, 2017 © NATO press office
“The EU welcomes the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for countering hybrid threats today by the Government of Finland. This will contribute to the strengthened cooperation between the EU and NATO, in line with the Joint Communication on countering hybrid threats that was adopted in April 2016.” Announced EU External Action, Press release April 11, 2017 © EU External Action
Special: Watch the Memorandum ceremony and the speech of Minister Timo Soini for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Sources: NATO Press Office/ EU External Action/ Finland MFA/ Finalnd Diplomatic mission to U.S/ Finland Government Follow us: @USEUWAffairs
December 2016
President Sauli Niinistö of Finland’s reception on the Independence Day December 6, 2016 ‘Finland’s Strengths in the Spotlight’
Message from U.S Department of State on the occasion of Finland’s Independence Day.
“On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I warmly congratulate Finland on the 99th anniversary of your independence on December 6.” Department of State Dec 5, 2016
News from Finland MFA News from Finland Armed-Forces
November 2016
President Sauli Niinistö visit to NATO headquarters on November 9th– was a new step forward to strengthen NATO-Finland relations.
Described by Secretary General Stoltenberg the new measures will be the expansion in the fields of:
- Information exchanges on hybrid warfare,
- Coordinating exercises,
- Developing joint situational awareness.
President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. NATO headquarters, Brussels, November 9, 2016 © NATO
On the importance of Finland in NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg stated:
“This is of great importance both for Finland and for NATO because we share the same values and we face the same security challenges. NATO and Finnish troops have worked side by side as I said in many different operations and missions. And we have been able to develop a very close partnership on a range of different issues including planning for civil emergencies, and security in the Baltic Sea region. We are now expanding our cooperation when it comes to information exchanges on hybrid warfare, coordinating exercises, and developing joint situational awareness. All of this will allow Finland and NATO to address common threats more effectively.” November 9, 2016 © NATO
- Additional: Joint press point of NATO Secretary General with Presidnet Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland
- Finland and the United States advancing Partnership in Crisis Management and Defence
News from Secretary General Stoltenberg News form Finland Mission to NATO
Follow us on Twitter: @USEUWAffairs
November 2017
Finland’s Candidacy for the Executive Board of UNESCO 2017–2021
As an active member of UNESCO since 1956, Finland’s steady contributions, both Financially and Expertise, throughout the years to the organisation has been greatly essential and enduring.
Finland has announced its Candidacy for the Executive Board of UNESCO for the term 2017–2021. It’s candidacy is supported by all Nordic Countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Finland’s objectives for its term in the executive Board of UNESCO will center to advance:
- Relevant and strong UNESCO
- Sustainable development
- Lifelong learning
- Gender equality
- Freedom of expression
- Tangible and intangible heritage
News from Finland’s MFA News from Finland mission to NATO
News from Finland to UN News from Finland’s Armed-Forces
Source: MFA of Finland
September 2016
President of the Republic of Finland and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Finland’s participation in crisis management and defence cooperation between Finland and the United States. Announced by the MFA of Finland on September 26,2016
Finland will continue its active participation in international crisis management. It currently has roughly 500 soldiers taking part in 13 military crisis management operations and around 100 experts involved in 20 civilian crisis management operations.
Finland‘s largest contribution is in the UNIFIL operation in Lebanon, where participation has been strengthened and extended as part of Finland’s response to the request for aid and assistance submitted by France following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015.
The meeting also discussed defence cooperation between Finland and the United States, where a statement of intent for defence cooperation is under preparation between the two countries’ respective defence ministries. Sweden and the United States signed a similar statement of intent in June 2016. The President and the Ministerial Committee also addressed the serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Aleppo. © MFA of Finland, September 26, 2016
Additional: Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work met with Nordic, Baltic State Officials in Stockholm, April 2016
June 2016
Finland’s enduring Relations with NATO
“The assessment of the effects of Finland’s possible NATO membership provides an excellent basis for further debate which will certainly be extensive. I hope that the Foreign and Security Policy will be widely debated – and from various perspectives,” stated Foreign Minister Timo Soini. March 2016 © MFA of Finland
Related documents: The effects of Finland’s possible NATO membership, by MFA
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee visits Finland ‘Finland’s Active Military Cooperation with NATO’
May 2016
Finland’s vital Leadership in NATO
Finland took part in NATO Ministerial Meetings from 19-20 May in Brussels.
Minister Timo Soini of Foreign Affairs has presented Finland in two sessions of the meeting. One with the focuses on NATO’s Afghanistan and the Resolute Support Mission in which the Armed-Forces of Finland are holding a vital role. And the other with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini.
NATO Foreign Ministers are meeting in Brussels
News from Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs
News from Finland Armed-Force
NATO Secretary General welcomes deepening cooperation and dialogue with Finland and Sweden
May 2016
U.S-Nordic Leaders Summit 2016
To portray European Power, one has to see it beyond the mainstream media, comprehend it deeply all the way, stretching to ……the Arctic Sea……the Lands of Nordic: their History, Culture…..Philosophy…..Art and Literature. On the Political sphere, their centuries of Diplomatic achievements…,,.and on Defence……their Military might. They possess the North and the Baltic Seas…..and the every waves of Arctic Ocean. They were the first to journey into a New World, the first settler on the vast beautiful Land , before the British Empire re-discover and establish it as the Land of Shimmering dream…… later called….. ‘The United States of America’
The relation between the United States and the Nordic Region is not the contemporary but the most cherished and ranks the Legendary one — as President Obama described it in his speech of this year’s Summit: “The Extraordinary Countries and Extraordinary Friends” (Excerpt from a Political text ‘Sublime and Beautiful Europe and the United States’ by Catherine Stella Schmidt)
The U-S Nordic Leader Summit held in Washington DC on May 13, had been established following President Obama’s meeting with the Nordic Leaders in Sweden in 2013. The summit was to affirm the U.S-Nordic Partnerships, standing on centuries of shared Philosophy, Ideals and Western values.
Excerpt from U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit Joint Statement:
“Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States reaffirm our deep partnership based on shared fundamental values.”
“The Nordic countries greatly value the United States’ commitment to Europe and its security. NATO remains key to transatlantic and European security, and the contributions of Sweden and Finland, including those they make as NATO enhanced opportunity partners, are highly valuable. The United States, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway are committed to building on NATO’s enhanced opportunity partners’ framework in order to promote a close Political dialogue and Military cooperation between Finland and Sweden and NATO Allies (28+2).” “The Nordic countries and the United States strongly support closer cooperation between NATO and the EU, and consider new areas of practical cooperation between the two to be a priority for the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July.” May 13, 2016 © The White House Continue to read
Continue to read the Article on our site: U.S-Nordic Leaders Summit 2016
May 2016
Minister Kristian Jensen for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Minister Børge Brende for Foreign Affairs of Norway, Minister Timo Soini for Foreign Affairs of Finland. May 3, 2016 © Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland
“The Nordic countries are working together to ensure stability and welfare in an effort to co-ordinate our development co-operation, promote Free Trade and to participate together in International crisis management and Peacekeeping Missions. The Nordic perspective in all these issues involves a concentrated focus on Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.” May 3, 2016 © Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Continue to read
News from Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs
News from Finnish Armed-Forces
May 2016
Media Freedom is increasingly under threat in the EU, its neighbourhood and around the world. Recent examples include repressive legislation, violence against journalists and the spread of state-controlled propaganda and disinformation. Not only do such measures limit the work and threaten the lives of reporters, they also curtail the participation of citizens in society, undermining the very foundation of democracy. May 3, 2016 ©Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland
Continue to read
News from Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs
News from Finnish Armed-Forces
April 2016
Human Rights in Finland’s Foreign policy
For promoting Human Rights around the World, Finland has established the network for Human Rights in Foreign Policy. The network consist of experts who were appointed directly by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini.
In the statesmen by Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
In its upcoming meetings, the network will discuss for example the defence of the International Human Rights system, support for Human Rights Defenders and vulnerable groups, corporate Human Rights responsibility, and questions related to freedom of Religion and Belief. April 22, 2016 ©Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Continue to read
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