Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week:
Russian-Finnish handshake in Tashkent raises eyebrows at the OSCE
The rare and contentious meeting between Pia Kauma, President of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly who is also a Finnish MP, and Konstantin Kosachev, a Russian representative was covered in an article by EUobserver on April 9.
The article looks at the meeting as the first notable interaction with Russia within the OSCE PA since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and its subsequent isolation from the organization.
Kauma initiated the meeting with the stated goal of reviving inter-parliamentary dialogue and exploring possible avenues for ending the war in Ukraine. According to the OSCE PA spokesperson, this outreach was made in the spirit of diplomacy and dialogue. However, the meeting was met with considerable controversy and raised political questions, particularly in Finland. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, which holds the chairmanship of the OSCE in 2025, clarified that Kauma acted independently and not on behalf of the Finnish government. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen reinforced this stance, stating that now is not the time to engage directly with Russian leadership, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Domestically, Kauma’s decision drew criticism, with observers suggesting it could be perceived as undermining Finland’s strong support for Ukraine. However, Finnish foreign policy experts, including Hiski Haukkala of the Finnish Institute of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the meeting does not signify a shift in official policy and would not lead to formal re-engagement with Russia unless a broader political consensus is reached at a higher level.
“The fact of the matter is that president Trump and his administration has inserted a new dynamic into the process,” Haukkala said. “In response to these developments, the Europeans have started to talk among themselves [on how to communicate with Russia].” Haukkala added.
The meeting also sparked internal division within the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Some members supported the idea of maintaining dialogue, but others, particularly Ukraine’s delegation, were strongly opposed. “Our delegation stands on [a critical] position against Russia from the very beginning from the full-scale invasion [of Ukraine]. We don’t see any reason for the communication of Russian representatives — they are muppets, they don’t decide anything. They are appointed personally by Putin,” Mykyta Poturaiev, the head of the Ukrainian delegation and vice-chair of the PA, told EUobserver.
Original story was published by EUobserver on 09.04.2025 and can be found here.
Outback diplomacy: Finnish ambassador braves Australia’s ‘loud, rough and dusty’ Shitbox Rally
Finland’s ambassador to Australia, Arto Haapea’s participation in the 2025 Shitbox Rally—a popular charity road trip across the rugged Australian outback in cars worth less than $1,500 (1,320.66€) was covered in an article by The Guardian on April 5. The article delves into Haapea’s adventure, comparing it to the beginning of a trend in “Mad Max-style soft power”.
Haapea is taking on this physically demanding and unconventional challenge not only as a nod to diplomatic soft power but also as a deeply personal mission to raise $30,000 for cancer research. The event, scheduled for June, involves driving from Perth to Darwin over unsealed and harsh terrain.
Haapea was inspired by Caroline Kennedy, the former US ambassador to Australia, who participated in the previous year’s rally in a dilapidated Ford Falcon. Seeing her example on social media motivated him to follow suit. He and his partner, Steven Morton—his co-driver—secured a used blue 2005 Toyota Camry through a donation from a Finnish-descended Australian. They’ve named it “The Happiest Car in the World,” a playful reference to Finland’s eight-year streak as the world’s happiest country.
For Haapea, this journey is more than a fun, rugged adventure. Having survived testicular cancer in his early 20s and a relapse later, he sees the rally as an opportunity to support vital cancer research. “Feedback I’ve been getting from the Finnish community has been incredible; so many people have lost loved ones or faced cancer themselves,” Haapea said.
The Shitbox Rally, started in 2010 by James Freeman after he lost both his parents to cancer, has raised over $50 million for the Cancer Council. The event emphasizes camaraderie, grit, and collective purpose, with drivers often facing mechanical failures and rough conditions but always finding support among fellow participants. Haapea sees the rally as a blend of fun, diplomacy, and cultural connection. He also draws links between Finnish and Australian values—both being laid-back, outdoorsy cultures—and hopes to learn more about Australia’s Indigenous heritage along the way.
Original story was published by The Guardian on 05.04.2025 and can be found here.
Nokia, Telia, Finnish Defence Forces claim 5G standalone slice first
A successful 5G technology trial conducted by Nokia, Telia, and the Finnish Defence Forces, demonstrating a seamless handover of a secure 5G standalone (SA) network slice across three different countries was covered in an article by Computer Weekly on April 9. The article highlights this achievement as a milestone for both defence and the broader use of 5G slicing technology in critical industries.
The trial took place in March 2025 during a Nordic military exercise in Finland. Utilizing Nokia’s 5G core software as a service (SaaS), AirScale base stations with ReefShark chips, and Telia’s commercial network infrastructure, the test demonstrated that a secure and uninterrupted 5G SA slice connection could be maintained while transitioning across three different national networks. This continuous connectivity across borders is crucial for defence operations where troops frequently operate beyond their home territory and require constant, secure access to critical systems and applications.
A key technological component of the test was Nokia’s MantaRay NM, a network management platform that provides unified visibility over the networks, enabling efficient monitoring and optimization. The success of this test is a milestone not only in defence communications but also in demonstrating how commercial 5G technology—especially network slicing—can be leveraged for strategic and mission-critical use cases.
“This trial marks a significant milestone in showcasing the dual-use possibilities of 5G for defence while also enhancing communication capabilities within the Nato domain,” Jarmo Vähätiitto, major general of the Finnish Defence Command, Chief of C5, said. “We are delighted to have partnered with Nokia and Telia on this project and are eager to explore further opportunities for integrating 5G into our operations,” he added.
This development follows a broader trend in which 5G network slicing is increasingly being used by defence organizations globally. Examples include similar initiatives in Norway, Singapore, and the UK, where commercial telecom infrastructure is being tailored to meet the unique needs of national security. Nokia itself has previously engaged in network slicing projects across Austria and the Middle East, collaborating with major players like Microsoft and regional telcos to create dedicated high-performance network environments for both civilian and enterprise applications.
Original story was published by Computer Weekly on 09.04.2025 and can be found here.
Tax hike signals data centres “not welcome” in Finland
The Finnish government’s decision to eliminate electricity tax incentives for data centres was covered in an article by Montel News on April 8. The article highlights how this policy change has raised concerns among industry stakeholders, who fear it may deter future investments. This move could prompt companies to consider relocating to neighbouring countries like Sweden and Norway, where more favourable tax regimes for data centres exist.
Previously, Finland attracted significant data centre investments due to its low electricity tax rates, cool climate, stable infrastructure, and access to renewable energy sources. These factors made it an appealing location for companies seeking efficient and sustainable operations. However, the removal of tax incentives is perceived by industry representatives as a signal that data centres are no longer welcome in Finland.
Industry bodies have expressed concerns that the policy change could undermine Finland’s competitiveness in the data centre sector. They argue that without tax incentives, Finland may lose its edge to neighbouring countries that continue to offer more attractive conditions for data centre investments. This could result in a slowdown of the country’s digital infrastructure development and a potential loss of economic opportunities associated with the data centre industry.
Original story was published by Montel News on 08.04.2025 and can be found here.
HT
