EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Iran and the Russian attack on Ukraine.

The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union will continue its discussion of Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, raising such issues as sanctions, accountability and support for Ukraine. Finland considers it important for the EU to continue its strong, effective and united response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

“The strong political, financial and military support of the EU and its humanitarian aid to Ukraine must be continued and increased. The EU must continue consistently increasing sanctions against Russia as Russian aggression continues,” Minister Haavisto insists.

The foreign ministers will also discuss the situation in Iran. Finland condemns violence and human rights violations in Iran.

Other agenda items include the situations in Moldova and Tunisia, regions near to the southern borders of the EU, and human rights.

The foreign ministers will also meet for an informal EU Eastern Partnership breakfast event.
A meeting of EU Eastern Partnership foreign ministers will also be arranged to coincide with the Council meeting on 12 December, together with the first board meeting of the Global Gateway initiative on 11 December. Foreign Minister Haavisto will also represent Finland at these meetings.

Inquiries:

Johanna Lukkarila, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 29 535 0834

Lauri Hirvonen, European Correspondent, Director of the Unit for European Common Foreign and Security Policy, tel. +358 295 350 063

All personal e-mail addresses at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.