Finland to resume Embassy in Pakistan

The Finnish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, which was closed in 2012 due to the reduction of the network of missions, will be reopened in the autumn, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release on Friday.

Finland will also open a new Consulate General in Mumbai, India.

Pakistan is an emerging and growing market area with 220 million inhabitants. By establishing a permanent presence in Pakistan, Finland wants to increase its commercial, economic and political influence and cooperation in the region.

The Embassy in Islamabad will gradually start to provide also comprehensive consular and entry permit services, which will promote student exchange, contribute to the availability of labour to Finland and enhance tourism, for example.

“Pakistan is an important regional actor and Finland must have close relations with it. From the perspective of the rules-based world order, Pakistan is an important partner,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

“Finland is a country that depends on exports, and it is vital for us to be present in emerging and promising markets. Pakistan is the world’s fifth most densely populated country, and it is clear that its significance in the global economy will increase,” said Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

India’s global importance is growing in all sectors, and it has become a geopolitical, economic and technological superpower.

Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra State with more than 100 million inhabitants, is India’ financial and business centre. The Goa, located in the vicinity of Mumbai, is an important tourist destination.

“By opening a Consulate General in Mumbai, Finland complements its representation in South Asia. We must be present in places where there is demand for Finnish special expertise. Mumbai is one of such places,” said Haavisto.

“Our trade relations with India have become more diversified – in addition to export and investments, we want to get Indian experts to Finland and share Finnish knowledge, expertise and educational innovations. The new Consulate General plays an important role in achieving these objectives,” said Skinnari.