Ministry of Foreign Affairs sign in Helsinki. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
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Finland has signed a joint foreign ministers’ declaration calling on countries to recognise or consider recognising Palestine as a state. The initiative, led by France, comes ahead of a UN summit in September and includes 15 signatories from Europe, North America, and the Pacific.
The declaration urges global actors to support a two-state solution, calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and demands the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. It also encourages countries to normalise relations with Israel and commits signatories to support the disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen confirmed Finland’s participation via the X platform. She described Palestinian state recognition as a step toward the two-state model, stating that Finland will act “at a time when it is considered to best promote regional stability, peace and security”.
Valtonen said progress had been made at a recent international meeting in New York, where the EU, Arab League and other states urged Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza. “The work continues,” she wrote.
Despite the endorsement, Finland has not formally recognised Palestine. Valtonen reiterated that such a step would be taken only as part of a broader framework conducive to peace and mutual security.
Countries signing the declaration include Andorra, Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain.
The move has triggered political disagreement within Finland. Sari Essayah, leader of the Christian Democrats, said her party did not consent to the declaration and had not been consulted. Essayah stated that recognition of Palestine would be a “government-defining issue” for the Christian Democrats and reaffirmed the party’s opposition.
“There has been no change to our position, and we have not endorsed any statement suggesting Finland should positively consider recognising Palestine,” Essayah said in a message to media.
Longtime Christian Democrat MP Päivi Räsänen also criticised the move, writing on X that Finland should not participate in such declarations “under the current conditions”.
From the Finns Party, parliamentary group chair Jani Mäkelä said he had not been informed of the declaration. “There seems to be a new petition every day. Finland does not need to lead these initiatives. We should focus on substantive action rather than appearances,” he said.
A Finns Party
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
