Tag: European Union
Finnish customs will collect 308 million euros in taxes for Finland and the EU in 2023
Of this, 162 million euros were allocated to the EU, of which Finland kept a 25% “reward”, which is 54 million euros. According to Tom Fermi, who is responsible for Customs' customer relations and tax collection, the EUR 81 million decrease in customs duties from the previous year was primarily due to a decrease in…
More than 100 members of the European Parliament demand continued funding for UNRWA amid the Gaza crisis
Finnish MEP Alviina AlametsäThe Greens representative has been a prominent signatory to a collective letter addressed to key figures in the European Union, including the presidents of the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. The letter highlights the moral suspension of halting funding to UNRWA, an organization that acts as a lifeline…
Mykkänen thanks the European Commission's vision for the 2040 climate goals
The European Commission published last week communication of the 27 countries' federal climate targets for 2040 and suggests that the bloc set its goals for emissions reductions of 90 percent from 1990 levels. It argued that the 90 percent target would require only a small acceleration of emissions reductions, as current control measures alone would…
Alexander Stubb: Upholding Niinistö's legacy in Finland's foreign policy
This election is especially significant due to Finland’s strategic position, sharing an extensive 830-mile border with Russia, amidst a period of heightened geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances. The role of the Finnish president, far from being merely ceremonial, encompasses significant responsibilities in foreign policy, positioning the newly elected president at the helm of navigating Finland’s…
"A digitally secure life" The game kicks off a new season of improving cyber security skills
With the growing importance of digital security in our connected society, this game serves as a critical tool for individuals to learn how to identify and effectively respond to cyber security threats. The latest content focuses on scenarios that an organization's information security officer may face, and provides hands-on experience in risk management, continuity planning,…
The number of counterfeit euro banknotes in Finland increased slightly in 2023
This was followed by €50 notes in 149 cases and 80 counterfeit €10 notes. Despite the growth, the figures are still relatively small and manageable within the framework of the Finnish monetary system. Olli VehmasThe Bank of Finland's banknote expert commented on the findings and emphasized that it is important to pay attention to the…
Presidential elections and the future of Finnish-Chinese relations: Pekka Haavisto vs. Alexander Stubb
Scenario 1: Pekka Haavisto's presidency During Haavisto's presidency, Finland's attitude towards China could be characterized by careful balancing. Haavisto's comments during the campaign point to a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between Finland, the EU and China. He has emphasized the importance of the relationship between the United States and China and its effects…
Finland's presidential candidates – Olli Rehn
Early life Olli Rehn's early life before politics shaped his upbringing in Mikkeli. He grew up in a family that owned an auto parts company and started working at the age of 12. Olli Rehn is passionate about soccer, having played professionally since his late teens. Despite his military service, which turned him away from…
Mika Aaltola: An independent trailblazer in Finnish presidential bid
“Throughout my career, I have been working in an institute that operates in conjuction with the Finnish Parliament. My familiarity with parliamentarians, political party heads, decision-makers, and diplomats allows for interactions with major actors and build consensus among different political parties,” Mika Aaltola said. “Having the benefit of not having a political party actually carries…
Finnish presidential candidates – Alexander Stubb
Despite his recent active politics, Stubb has been a distinguished figure known for his global approach and rich experience in various ministerial positions in Finland and various EU portfolios. Early life Stubb is known for his passion for fitness and sports, including triathlons, which dates back to his teenage years playing ice hockey at HIFK.…
Sari Essayah reveals her vision of Finland: the president's leadership, global dynamics and national priorities
Sari Essayah had previously said that she stands out from her rivals as the conservative choice of voters. When asked about bridging the gap between different value systems in order to maintain a conservative position, Essayah emphasized the role of the president as a promoter of tolerance and understanding, stressing the importance of freedom of…
Finnish presidential candidate Mika Aaltola
Aaltola rose to a prominent position in the Finnish political field with the views of a TV commentator on the Ukrainian war, Aaltola emphasizes the urgency of a new foreign policy vision as Finland moves towards NATO after Russia's attack on Ukraine. Early life Aaltola spent her high school years in the United States in…
Finnish presidential candidates: Harry Harkimo
Political trip: Hjallis Harkimo, who was elected as a Member of Parliament for the National Coalition Party (NCP) in 2015, started formal politics. His resignation from the NCP in 2018 marked the beginning of an independent political path, when he founded the Movement Now party to bring new perspectives to Finnish politics. In 2018, Harkimo…
Presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto discusses the Ukraine crisis, NATO, the Gaza crisis and global relations
He is also known for his role in Finland joining NATO in the previous government. Here is his view on global affairs, which presents Finland's position on international conflicts, diplomatic relations and independence from several factors. Russia's aggression in Ukraine and Finland's attitude Haavisto emphasized Finland's commitment to support Ukraine's right to defend itself, citing…
Washington calls on Israel to scale back its Gaza offensive
Washington is urging Israel to use more precise targeting of Hamas leaders in Gaza, rather than extensive bombing and ground operations, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Friday. “There will be a transition to another phase of this war, one that is focused in more precise ways on targeting the leadership and on…
Transitioning to a new phase
It is well known that defense cooperation between the two countries has flourished since 2014 after the Crimean coup. Everything seemed possible, except a formal defense alliance. Defense ministers, we were told, saw each other more often than their families… I assume that Finland would have matured to officialization at some point, but I doubt…
Hungary blocks EU aid package for Ukraine
Hungary on Friday blocked a European Union financial aid package to Ukraine, while the EU on Thursday agreed to open membership negotiations with the beleaguered country. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban used his veto to block the aid package, but European Council President Charles Michel said 26 of the EU's 27 countries had agreed on…
Iran sentences Swedish EU employee for “Spying for Israel”
Dubai – Iran said on Sunday it had opened the trial of a Swedish citizen employed by the European Union on charges of spying for Israel and “corruption on earth”, a crime that carries the death penalty. Sweden said on Saturday that the trial had begun against Johan Floderus, who was detained in April 2022…
Customs: Thousands of drones were exported from Finland to Russia
Customs authorities have also investigated the transport of anti-drone technology worth more than 350,000 euros through Russia to Kazakhstan. The transfer of technology would have required a permit for the export of defense equipment, but the exporter had not applied for a permit. Customs suspects that one of the companies has been tasked with acquiring…
Sweden is ready to help Finland with border issues, Prime Minister Kristersson says
The Prime Minister of Sweden stated that Finland’s eastern border is a matter concerning the entire European Union.
EU, representatives, agree on limits for methane emissions from gas imports
BRUSSELS, Belgium: To pressure international suppliers to reduce leakage of the potent greenhouse gas, the European Union (EU) on Wednesday reached agreement on a law to impose limits on methane emissions on Europe’s oil and gas imports from 2030. After carbon dioxide, methane is the second leading cause of climate change and has a much…
Finland’s youth sector demands a ceasefire in Gaza to protect future generations
The youth sector strongly condemns violence against civilians and civilian infrastructure and labels such acts as war crimes under international humanitarian law. This condemnation extends to both state actors and armed organizations. Protecting civilians, especially children and young people, in times of crisis is a basic obligation of many international agreements. The Finnish youth council…
EU calls for ‘pauses’ in hostilities, humanitarian corridors in Gaza
BRUSSELS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) — The European Union (EU) on Sunday called for “immediate pauses in hostilities” and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Gaza, the EU’s foreign affairs chief said in a statement. “The EU is seriously concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs…
Turkey sidelined as EU prepares to open door to others
Brussels – When figures in the EU talk about the new members who may join the Union in 2030, there is no mention of Turkey. It is a glaring omission that Ankara noted. As the European Union published its annual reports on candidate countries’ progress towards EU standards on Wednesday, all eyes will be on…
Finland was criticized for not voting in the UN vote on the humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
The decision not to support the resolution was seen as a failure by several nations and organizations, including the Finnish development cooperation organization Fingo. “Even though Finland, both independently and as part of the European Union, rightly condemns the attack by Hamas, this should not have prevented the separate acceptance of a humanitarian ceasefire,” stated…
Von der Leyen’s resignation petition gathers more than 53,000 signatures amid Gaza conflict
The context of the dispute Von der Leyen’s support for Israeli military action against Gaza, including the restriction of essential goods such as water, food and electricity to civilians and wider bombing campaigns, is seen as a violation of international law and her EU mandate. His actions have not only drawn widespread condemnation among diplomats,…
Häkkänen: In the situation in Gaza, there is no reason to cancel the arms trade between Finland and Israel
Häkkänen said that the Defense Ministries of Finland and Israel have signed a separate agreement on the commitment of both authorities to the trade, which – he added – will not be realized until years from today. The Left Alliance has called on the government to suspend arms sales with Israel, arguing that it is…