MFA: Foreign Minister Haavisto to attend Barents Euro-Arctic Council meeting in Tromsø

At the meeting, the Ministers are to approve the establishment of a new project fund for the Barents Region and adopt a new Action Plan on Climate Change and a Ministerial Declaration that will sum up the achievements of Norway’s Chairmanship and pave the way for the priorities of Finland’s upcoming Chairmanship.

The aim for Finland during the Chairmanship is to promote sustainable development and a healthy environment, contacts between people, and transport and good connections. In particular, Finland will take action to strengthen indigenous species in the Barents Region and to combat invasive species. The agenda also includes a separate Youth Summit of young people in the Barents Region.

The 30th anniversary of the cooperation in the Barents Region will be celebrated in the second year of Finland’s Chairmanship in 2023.

In connection with the Council meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto will also have bilateral meetings e.g. with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Governor of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug Yuri Bezdudny.

The members of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council are the Nordic countries, Russia and the EU. In addition, representatives of indigenous peoples and Regional Councils participate in the work. For Finland regional cooperation, including Barents cooperation, is an important means of promoting stability and security, sustainable development and economic opportunities in the neighbouring areas.

Inquiries:

Otto Turtonen, Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 015

Jari Vilén, Ambassador for Barents and Northern Dimension, tel. +358 50 529 6321

The Foreign Ministry’s email addresses are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.