EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the Horn of Africa and Egypt

The Foreign Affairs Council will discuss developments in the Horn of Africa. Finland supports the European Union’s efforts to alleviate the humanitarian situation, to build sustainable food systems and to stabilise the region.

Ministers will also discuss the relations between Egypt and the EU. Finland supports the implementation of Egypt’s Partnership Priorities and the continuation of discussion on questions related to the country’s development as well as climate work. At an informal lunch, ministers will meet Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry. The topics of discussion will include climate issues and the upcoming session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

EU foreign ministers will continue the discussion on Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Finland strongly condemns Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Finland responds to Russia’s actions as part of the EU. The discussion will examine the global effects of the war, such as the impact of rising prices of grain on global food security.Finland and Italy have invited EU foreign ministers and Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to an informal breakfast meeting before the Foreign Affairs Council. The aim is to discuss the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

On 19 June, Minister Haavisto will attend an annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in Berlin. The Minister will participate in a panel discussion on the geopolitical future of Europe and have bilateral meetings.

Inquiries:

Laila Clyne, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 492

Matti Nissinen, European Correspondent, tel. +358 295 351 780

The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi