The Finnish authorities are still trying to arrange the safe evacuation of about 50 people from Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Green) said in Yle’s Ykkösaamu morning program.
The figure includes about 30 Finnish citizens who are covered by the government’s evacuation decree, Haavisto said, and an estimated 20 people who have a permanent residence permit in Finland and who requested consular assistance.
Finland evacuated about 400 people from Afghanistan in August after a Taliban group took power.
Haavisto also revealed that a major evacuation operation in the Afghan capital, Kabul, led to "a group of people" was evacuated to Finland via Doha, the capital of Qatar.
"This task continues. We strive to help those who have been promised help and get them out of the country," Haavisto said, adding that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has also begun preparations to speed up family reunification.
The ministry is examining whether the merger can be accelerated through consular posts around Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, or Tehran, the capital of Iran.
However, the evacuation and family reunification schedule is open as the situation in Afghanistan remains volatile, and Haavisto said Kabul airport is still not operating normally and commercial flights are not following normal aviation standards and schedules.
He added that Finland has allowed the evacuation of people through Kabul airport with the help of some other countries, such as Qatar, and the aim is to continue this cooperation.
"On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are in regular contact with all those who have requested consular assistance and are working to ensure their safety by all means in order to find their way in Afghanistan as safely as possible," Haavisto said.
Source: The Nordic Page