Minister of the Interior Rantanen visited Somalia

Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen visited Somalia on 21 January. She met Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail. The purpose of the meetings was to strengthen bilateral relations between Finland and Somalia in the internal security sector, and to promote cooperation and exchange of best practices in return and readmission issues.

The ministers discussed potential new forms of cooperation that could lead to mutually beneficial practices and improve the capacity of the Somali authorities.

"Finland wishes to develop the partnership with Somalia, and we appreciate the good and long-term cooperation between our countries. Finland's priority is to establish effective return arrangements and to build up the related cooperation,” Minister Rantanen says.

“Somalia is an important partner for Finland, for example in counter-terrorism where Somalia is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. The Somali police and other security authorities are doing important work to restore calm and improve citizens' security,” Minister Rantanen says.

Finland and Somalia have enjoyed good and active bilateral relations for a long time. The countries cooperate in areas such as crisis management and mediation.

Finland has temporarily suspended the country programme for bilateral development cooperation with Somalia. New funding decisions will only be made after readmission cooperation has progressed. Finland will continue an active dialogue on developing the cooperation with the Somali authorities.

During her visit to Somalia, Minister of the Interior Rantanen also met UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General James Swan, Ambassador of the European Union to Somalia Karin Johansson, and Head of Mission Kęstutis Lančinskas at the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia). Minister Rantanen also met with Finnish public officials working at EUCAP Somalia.

Inquiries:

Communications Unit, Ministry of the Interior, media.sm@gov.fi (requests for interviews with Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen)