European Commissioner Stella Kyriakides visits Finland to discuss assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainian people, among others

On 1 April, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, who is currently visiting Finland, will meet with Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Aki Lindén. During the day, they will pay a visit to the Helsinki Reception Centre in Punavuori and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa.

Commissioner Kyriakides and Minister Lindén will discuss, among other things, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly from the health perspective, and the provision of assistance to Ukrainian refugees. 

“The unity of our response to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, and our support for Ukrainian refugees, brings out the very best of our values. Member States, partner organisations and citizens are welcoming Ukrainian refugees with compassion and generosity. I would like to thank Finland and the Finnish people for welcoming Ukrainian people with open arms,” says Commissioner Kyriakides during her visit to Helsinki. 

“Helping Ukrainians is important and calls for EU-level cooperation. Finland has delivered, for example, medical supplies and ambulances to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We are also prepared to provide material assistance in the future to help Ukrainian patients and refugees in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries,” says Minister Lindén.

International cooperation is an important part of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and other health policies

The Commissioner and the Minister will also discuss the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer treatment, the EU4Health Programme, the EU’s recovery and digitalisation policy.

“International cooperation, particularly between the European Union and its Member States, has been an essential part of managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic remains serious, and because of this, it is still necessary to emphasise that getting vaccinated is important to prevent serious cases of COVID-19,” Minister Lindén says.

“Vaccinations and boosters remain our best defence against the virus. I want to thank Minister Lindén for our excellent collaboration in ensuring a coordinated European approach to our response to the pandemic. The spirit of solidarity remains crucial to address the challenges we face,” Commissioner Kyriakides says.

“No country can cope with health policy challenges on its own. It is therefore excellent that the EU has also identified cancer treatment as one of its key areas for development. Finland is actively involved in that. Finland leads the way in cancer treatment outcomes, but we still have much to do,” says Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Lindén. 

Commissioner Kyriakides and Minister Lindén will hold a press conference on Friday 1 April at 10–10.20. A live webcast of the press conference will be available on the Government’s YouTube channel. After the press conferences, the recording will be available on Youtube and at vn.fi/liveLinkki toiselle sivustolle.

Inquiries:

Sampo Varjonen, Special Adviser to Minister Lindén, firstname.lastname@gov.fi
Reetta Honkanen, Senior Specialist, firstname.lastname@gov.fi