Government Communications Department
14.11.2023
Press release
In their meeting on Tuesday 14 September, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation at Finland’s eastern border. The Ministry of the Interior will provide more information on the matter today.
The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed a legal analysis of special status of Åland and the Russian Consulate in Mariehamn under international law. The President and the Ministerial Committee noted that, based on the analysis, no action will be taken with regard to the Russian Consulate in Mariehamn in the current situation. The authorities are monitoring the activities of the Consulate to ensure that they are within its powers. The analysis will be published on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in the Middle East. The President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy consider it essential that all parties ensure that civilians can leave the conflict zones and that humanitarian aid can get into Gaza. The international community must be resolute in building a lasting peace based on the negotiated two-state solution.
The President and the Ministerial Committee also began a discussion on the preliminary outcome of the negotiations between Finland and the United States on a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA).
In addition, the President and the Ministerial Committee received an update on the investigation into the damage to the BalticConnector gas pipeline.
Inquiries: Petri Hakkarainen, Director General, tel. +358 295 351 130, Marja Liivala, Director General (Åland) , tel. +358 295 351 727, Kaija Suvanto, Director General of Legal Service (Åland), tel. +358 295 351 159, Sofie From-Emmesberger, Director General (Israel and Gaza), tel. +358 295 350 802, Mikael Antell, Deputy Director General (DCA), tel. +358 295 350 658, Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Janne Kuusela, Director General (DCA), tel. +358 295 350 802, Ministry of Defence; Kirsi Pimiä, Permanent Secretary (eastern border), tel. +358 295 488 203, Ministry of the Interior.