Finland withdraws from Barents Euro-Arctic Council

Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Finland, however, will continue cooperation in the northern regions through other channels.

Founded in 1993, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council has sought to promote stability and sustainable development in the Barents Region.

However, the changes in the European security order and the international environment have affected regional cooperation in the north.

“Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Barents cooperation was an effective channel for Finland to interact with others in the northern regions. However, this form of cooperation no longer meets today's needs, and it creates overlapping structures,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

Finland's goal is a stable and prosperous Nordic region, and the country will continue to invest in it through various forms of cooperation, said the Foreign Minister.

For Finland, maintaining close cooperation in the northern regions is even more important than before. The cooperation will continue with both Sweden and Norway and in international fora, such as the Nordic Council of Ministers.

As a consequence of the withdrawal from the Council, Finland will also withdraw from the Agreement on the Establishment of the International Barents Secretariat.

On the basis of a motion proposed by the Government, the President will decide on the withdrawal from the agreement on Friday.