Summary:
Five million euros worth of Finnish development aid funds have been invested by state-owned development aid company Finnfund in the forest fund Dasos Timberland Fund I, which a report by NGO Finnwatch claims can be involved in aggressive tax planning or even illegal tax evasion. Minister for Development Kai Mykkänen says the demands for Finnfund have already been tightened but that no guidelines can remove all risk of misuse of development aid funds. He points out that misuse of funds unfortunately happens when acting in countries that often are fragile and corrupt, irrespective of the form of development aid. According to Mr Mykkänen, it is important to react to every instance of suspected misuse but introducing a preventive zero tolerance would not be productive.
Auteur/autrice : David
President Niinistö on Europe’s relations with Turkey: Situation has become more complicated quite quickly
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö says that the relations between Europe and Turkey have become more complicated quite quickly. Turkey has mentioned annulling the refugee agreement with the EU and flared up at Holland for preventing the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs from campaigning in Rotterdam. The EU and NATO are trying to calm the war of words between Turkey and Holland. Mr Niinistö estimates that the situation has caused some wonder but notes that issues have always been solved one way or another.
Media: Karjalainen
Date: 13.3.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö
« When there is a fire next door, you just go and help »
President Sauli Niinistö attended a ceremony commemorating the efforts of Swedish volunteers figthing on the Finnish side in the Winter War in Stockholm on 13 March. Discussion about helping one’s neighbour has again been lively in recent times as Finland and Sweden are moving towards closer cooperation in defence issues. Mr Niinistö states that both countries currently have a strong will for cooperation in security policies and possibly even in defence policies where development has been quite fast. He states that there is a sense of affinity between the two countries.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition, PDF)
Date: 14.3.2017
Journalist: Elina Kervinen
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö
Can Finland receive fines from EU for “excess logging”? – forest war on carbon sinks continues
Summary:
The European Parliament’s environment committee is currently discussing a Commission proposal that would punish Finland for excess logging if it reduces the carbon sink of forests. Rapporteur, MEP Norbert Lins (EPP) suggests that the comparison years should be 2000-2012 while MEP Nils Torvalds (ALDE) has proposed that the comparison should be based on a continuing average of three years. MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D) notes that the Parliament’s committees have differing views on the matter. Some understand the Finnish use of wood well while others would reduce it even more than the Commission.
Running for the Finns party chair, Sampo Terho suggested EU referendum in Finland – ”It may be a deal-breaker”
Summary:
MP Sampo Terho, Chair of the Finns Party’s parliamentary group, has announced he will run for the chairmanship of the party, reports Helsingin Sanomat. Mr Terho’s positions on the EU are stark. He says he is open to the possibility that the party will demand an EU referendum in Finland. Mr Terho noted that the issue may even be a deal-breaker. He explained that there is a generation of Finns who were not eligible to vote on Finland’s EU membership in 1994. Mr Terho said he will also focus on the unfair implementation of the EU’s internal relocation of immigrants.
Finland opens money gates to fill abortion aid void caused by Trump – foundation supported by anonymous Finnish donors gives away 10 million dollars
Summary:
Finland has announced an additional aid of 20 million euros to organisations supporting the sexual and reproductive health of girls and women in developing countries. Several other EU countries have also pledged to fill the void caused by President Trump’s policies. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen says intervening in the situation is the only way to prevent the disaster of girls dying because of the lack of reproductive health.
Media: 
Helsingin Sanomat 
Date: 2.3.2017
Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen
Presidents of Estonia and Finland praised good relations in Helsinki – Niinistö: Relationship is “beautiful like between a brother and a sister”
Summary:
The European Union is vital, particularly to smaller countries, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö stated in a press conference with Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid in Helsinki on 7 March. Ms Kaljulaid, who was on a two-day state visit in Finland, agreed with Niinistö and said that people forget how much the EU has given us. The two presidents also reassured those concerned about US President Donald Trump or the future of NATO. Mr Niinistö said he is concerned about the global security situation where tensions have risen after Russia’s annexation of Crimea three years ago. During the visit, the two presidents discussed, among others, economic collaboration between the two countries, security in the Baltic Sea region, current EU affairs and relations with Russia and the United States.
Finland’s economic growth among the weakest in the EU
Summary:
All EU countries will see economic growth this year and next year, forecasts the European Commission. In Finland, growth will be subdued compared to many other countries, with a growth of 1.2 per cent this year. Economic growth in Finland has for a long time been slower than in many other EU countries. Next year, Finland’s economy is forecast to grow by 1.5 per cent.
Media: Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (E-edition, PDF)
Date: 15.2.2017
Journalist: Aimo Vainio
Main source: –