{"id":55639,"date":"2025-11-29T21:32:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T21:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=55639"},"modified":"2025-11-29T22:26:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T22:26:41","slug":"finland-as-feared-closing-the-embassy-in-islamabad-again-opened-two-times-pakistan-never-opened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/finland-as-feared-closing-the-embassy-in-islamabad-again-opened-two-times-pakistan-never-opened\/","title":{"rendered":"FINLAND , AS FEARED , CLOSING THE EMBASSY IN ISLAMABAD AGAIN ! OPENED TWO TIMES ! PAKISTAN NEVER OPENED"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"Tazeen Akhtar<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\"\"Finally the same happened what was feared ! Finland is closing its Embassy in Islamabad once again ! Yes ! Once again as it was opened after it was closed in the past as well. It means Finland is the only country in the world that closed the embassy here two times. Also opened two times that gives plus points to Finland. An honorary consul general represents Pakistan in Helsinki. Pakistan has never opened embassy in Finland.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Finland has announced that it will be closing down its embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar, citing \u201coperational and strategic reasons\u201d. Finnish foreign minister in a press release issued on Friday said, \u201cThe ministry for foreign affairs has decided to close the embassies of Finland in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon in 2026.<\/p>\n

Only 10 days ago, Pakistan and\u00a0<\/span>Finland <\/strong><\/em>held their 6th round of bilateral political consultations in Islamabad on November 18, 2025,<\/strong><\/em> reviewing their relationship and exploring cooperation in various sectors<\/span>. Discussions covered enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, education, and climate change.<\/div>\n
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The Pakistani delegation was led by Additional Secretary Europe, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, and the Finnish delegation by Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy, Outi Holopainen.<\/div>\n
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Key discussion areas included a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, focusing on trade, investment, education, science and technology, and climate change. Both countries also discussed global and regional issues. Outcomes included Pakistan thanking Finland for its GSP+ status support and inviting Finnish companies to the Pakistan-EU Business Forum in April 2026. Finland agreed to host the next consultations.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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On 29 Sep 2025 ,\u00a0 Finnish company Metso has announced a significant investment in providing technical equipment in Pakistan\u2019s copper mining sector. The investment will focus on providing modern technology, mining equipment, and services. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The announcement came following a meeting between Ms. Piia Karhu, President of Minerals at Metso, and Pakistan\u2019s Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani. Ms. Karhu was accompanied by Finland\u2019s Ambassador to Pakistan, Hannu Ripatti, and Honorary Consul General, Veli Airola. Ms. Karhu confirmed that Metso would soon establish a corporate office in Pakistan after finalizing the service agreement and legal status.<\/p>\n

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Minister of State for Railways & Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani meeting with the Finnish delegation comprising H.E. Mr. Hannu Ripatti, Ambassador of Finland to Pakistan; Ms. Piia Karhu, President, Minerals at Metso, and Mr. Willie Eerola, Honorary Consul General of Pakistan in Finland at Islamabad on September 29, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, same day, held a meeting with the Finnish delegation comprising H.E. Mr. Hannu Ripatti, Ambassador of Finland to Pakistan; Ms. Piia Karhu, President, Minerals at Metso,which is a global leader in equipment and services for the minerals processing industry; and Mr. Willie Eerola, Honorary Consul General of Pakistan to Finland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Important to note here is, The Embassy of Finland had planned to celebrate the National Day on 04 Dec 2025 in Islamabad for which the invitation cards already sent to the friends of Finland including government officials. Now it is not clear that the Embassy will celebrate as per program or the National Day will be cancelled.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ambassador Ripatti during his last couple of years tried his best to build bridges for promotion of trade and economic relations. He held meetings with concerned including ministers, business leaders and others who matter in Pakistan. He was always optimistic about strengthening the mutual bonds in all sectors having potential. He had developed a close relationship and understanding on the promotion of bilateral cooperation during his service in past few years.<\/p>\n

I had the honor to meet and interview Mr. Rauli Suikkanen the then Roving Ambassador for Pakistan 10 years ago in Islamabad. I have met H.E Hannu Ripatti several times in Islamabad including while I was invited to National Day receptions in 2023, 2024. I know why Finland has to take this unwanted decision again.<\/p>\n

Ambassador Finland H.E Hannu Ripatti Determined to Boost Bilateral Cooperation with Pakistan<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n