Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini has commented on road patrols that have appeared on the streets in some cities amid the refugee crisis. « The police are responsible for Finland’s safety, and the police should be granted more money to take care of its tasks, » he pointed out in A-Studio. Minister Soini added that there is no reason to get hysterical about the issue.

Media:  Ilta-Sanomat

Date: 13.1.2016

Journalist: Mika Lehto

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini comments on the European Union’s decision to start using the rule-of-law mechanism in terms of the Polish government’s politics. According to Minister Soini, an EU official, who has not been elected in an election, cannot « walk over » a decision maker who has been voted to the position. He points out that the election in Poland was free. Minister Soini thinks the EU should stay put.

Media:  Turun Sanomat

Date: 14.1.2016

Journalist: STT

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

According to trade union SAK, nearly 12,000 Finnish employees were laid off last year. The amount decreased 5% compared to previous year, but still layoffs are on a high level. Microsoft laid off the biggest number of employees, closing the Salo unit and sacking 2,300 employees. It was followed by Tieto, from which 435 people had to leave. Layoffs in the ICT sector and industry grew to 3,700-3,800 last year. Codetermination negotiations concerned a total of 114,000 employees in Finland in 2015.

Media:  Talouselämä

Date: 7.1.2016

Journalist: –

Main source: SAK

CEOs and analysts are worried about the tensions in the Finnish labour market. Political volatility and Finland’s weak economy put pressure on companies. Eero Färkkilä of Nordea says that there is a division line among listed companies. Some have benefited from the recovering global market. Stronger dollar has been good news for many companies, comments Henri Parkkinen of OP. Both Mr Färkkilä and Parkkinen believe the global markets continue their slow recovery this year, but they also think the situation is uncertain. A lot depends on oil prices and China.

Media:  Taloussanomat

Date: 2.1.2016

Journalist: 

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini announces that Finland strongly condemns the announcement of North Korea on its hydrogen bomb test. Finland urges North Korea to abstain from further actions that endanger safety and increase tension. The country is breaching international obligations and agreements with the alleged test. Also the Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned the test.

Media:  YLE Uutiset

Date: 6.1.2016

Journalist: Teija Santaharju

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

The Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy announced on Wednesday that the European Commission has granted 5.4 million euros for Baltic Connector Oy and Elering Gaas As to plan a gas pipe between Finland and Estonia. Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn said that the Commission’s decision is a clear sign that the project is moving forward.

Media:  Talouselämä

Date: 2.12.2015

Journalist: –

Main source: Olli Rehn, Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland

The European Commission promised Turkey aid of 3 bn euro in order to aid the refugees that are in camps in Turkey. 500 million would come from the EU budget and the rest from the EU member states. Juha Sipilä, Finland’s Prime Minister said that Finland would pay its share, 35.5 million euro. However the payment scheme is up in the air and Mr Sipilä said it would not happen next year. He, like the other EU leaders reminded that the 3 billion euros was not meant for Turkey but the refugees, for example for school, work visas, hygiene and health. Mr Sipilä also attended a meeting chaired by Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel meant for countries under heavy refugee pressure.

Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö emphasised at the Paris climate summit that there is no other alternative than to create a climate agreement which prevents the worst effects of global warming. He pointed out that we have no planet B, this is the only planet we have. He appealed to the participants, calling for a new, legally binding global agreement starting from 2020. President Niinistö also said that as an arctic country Finland’s temperatures have grown twice as much as the global average. In addition, he talked about Finland’s new climate legislation and citizens’ climate commitments.

Media:  Aamulehti 

Date: 30.11.2015