Summary:
Opposition parties in the Finnish parliament attacked the government’s low development co-operation funding during the parliamentary debate on next year’s budget on 26 September. Opposition MPs made several questions to Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen regarding how the government plans to raise the share of development co-operation funds to the long-term goal of 0.7% of GDP. In next year’s budget the share is 0.38%. Mr Mykkänen could not promise that the government would raise development co-operation funding in the near future to the extent that the goal would be reached. He noted that the Finnish state is spending more money than it is earning also in the near future and only after this development is stopped can any significant increases to development co-operation be made.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 26.9.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen