Summary:
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen met with State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung Sang Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw on 9 February. In the meeting, Mr. Mykkänen raised the issue of violence in the Rakhine state and the distress of the Rohingya people and stated that Finland does not accept it and that it affects the credibility of the civil administration. Mr. Mykkänen referred to Finland’s development cooperation projects in Myanmar and said he made it clear that Finland is in the country to support work for democracy and the peace process. Mr. Mykkänen travelled to Myanmar with a trade delegation and he estimates that Myanmar has the potential of becoming a growth area that will also benefit Finnish trade.
Auteur/autrice : David
Soini does not believe other member states will leave the EU in near future: « It is pretty easy to just say we are leaving »
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates that negotiations between Britain and the EU will be difficult but hopes that a mutually satisfactory solution will be found. He does not believe other member states will follow Britain’s lead in the near future. Mr Soini points out that it is pretty easy for a member state to announce that they are leaving but actually leaving is not a quick process.
Media: 
YLE Uutiset
Date: 13.2.2017
Journalist: Jussi Virkkunen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Kai Mykkänen about the Canada deal: Support for free trade very good news
Summary:
According to Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, the decision by the European Parliament to vote for approving the CETA free trade deal between EU and Canada is very good news for Finland as it will make it easier for Finnish businesses to get into the Canadian market. He says that more leadership is expected from the EU in the current situation. The EU must be more active in order to create free trade deals which benefit companies and consumers.
Media: Verkkouutiset / Nykypäivä
Date: 15.2.2017
Journalist: Heikki Jantunen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen
Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini on Arctic Council chairmanship: « We do not know if we are headed for smooth sailing or pack ice »
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates that the vagueness of the Trump administration in climate issues will be a challenge during Finland’s term as chair of the Arctic Council. Mr Soini defends utilising the Arctic for commercial purposes as long as it is done in a sustainable way and sensitive areas are not opened up for business without thorough investigation. Mr Soini says it is difficult to estimate if the Arctic Council is headed for smooth sailing or pack ice during Finland’s chairmanship and points out that cooperation does not be in demand right now.
Over 220 million euros for Finnish SMEs from European Investment Fund
Summary:
The European Investment Fund has signed its first SME initiative guarantee transactions in Finland with the banks Ålandsbanken, Osuuspankki and Oma Säästöpankki. This will bring 220 million euros to Finnish SMEs and help over 800 Finnish SMEs in getting finance. European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu says SMEs are a driving force in growth and job creation in Finland and the SME initiative gives them a better opportunity for getting finance.
Media: Verkkouutiset / Nykypäivä
Date: 24.1.2017
Journalist: Ilkka Ahtokivi
Main source: Corina Crețu, European Commissioner for Regional Policy
Minister Mykkänen at aid conference for Syria: Image of refugees distorted in Finland
Summary:
UN organisations and NGOs appealed for more aid to Syrian refugees and the neighbouring countries that assist them in a conference held in Helsinki today, 24 January. The Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, who hosted the conference, said that in Finland and Europe the word ‘refugee’ is currently associated with young men even though 70% of the refugees in Syria’s neighbouring countries are women and children. Finland is supporting victims of the Syrian conflict both through humanitarian aid and development co-operation which has been used to e.g. enable children to go to school and support the livelihood and rights of refugee women.
Minister for Foreign Trade Kai Mykkänen on Trump’s speech: Will not cause earthquake
Summary:
Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen estimates that US President Donald Trump did not give any concrete promises in his inaugural speech that would have immediate effects on co-operation. Mr Mykkänen is confident that a certain realism will set in as Mr Trump and his administration start their work. He comments on Mr Trump’s trade policies which he says seem to forget that industrial production in the United States has actually doubled since the 1980s while job losses are mainly caused by technological changes. Mr Mykkänen says that Mr Trump’s protectionist sentiment combined with the anti-trade populism around the western world are a cause of worry for Finland who lives off free export.
President Niinistö met with Ukraine’s Porošenko: Trump will hardly lift Russia sanctions
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat reports that Presidents Sauli Niinistö and Petro Poroshenko stated on Tuesday that the sanctions against Russia will not be lifted. Mr Niinistö noted that Finland took part in the EU decision to set the sanctions and respects this decision. Ukraine and Finland also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation regarding energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and alternative energy sources. Mr Niinistö also commented on the war in Eastern Ukraine and stated that Finland supports Ukraine’s territorial autonomy and continues to condemn the occupation of Crimea as unlawful.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 24.1.2017