Helsinki: State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Shaheen engaged in political consultations with Finland's Permanent Secretary of State Jukka Salovaara and State Undersecretary for Foreign and Security Policy Outi Holopainen at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Minister Shaheen urged Finland to take actionable measures in support of the upcoming high-level international conference focusing on the implementation of the two-state solution, set to occur in New York on June 17. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the independent State of Palestine and called for pressure on the Israeli occupation to release withheld clearance revenues.
Additionally, Minister Shaheen advocated for Finland to collaborate with European partners to bolster the Palestinian government and the Gaza reconstruction plan. She proposed sanctions against Israel, including suspending the association agreement with Israel, imposing further sanctions on Israeli colonists and terrorist organizations in the West Bank, and reviewing all agreements with Israel.
The minister further appealed to the Finnish government to provide medical treatment to wounded children from the Gaza Strip in Finnish hospitals and to offer scholarships for Gaza students at Finnish universities. This request comes in light of the severe impact on the education sector in the Strip due to ongoing aggression.
Finnish diplomats expressed their concerns about Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, noting these actions contravene international law and humanitarian law. They reiterated Finland's stance on the illegality of Israeli colonies in the occupied West Bank and underscored the necessity of an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded aid entry into Gaza. They also highlighted the importance of Finland's participation in the international conference at the level of heads of state.
