Diplomatic Hour: In Conversation with the Ambassador of Finland

In Conversation with the Ambassador of Finland

The British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG) is delighted to welcome His Excellency, Mr Jukka Siukosaari, Ambassador of Finland, for an in-person public event on the future of UK-Finnish relations and Finland’s role in the world.

Precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland joined NATO last year in a major departure from its traditional approach to foreign policy. This event will provide an insight into Finland’s approach to NATO and European security and reflect on wider shifts in its defence, security and foreign policy. Moreover, with UK-Finnish cooperation currently covering all areas of bilateral engagement, with particularly close work on countering hybrid threats and influence activities, and intelligence cooperation, this event will explore how the UK and Finland are working together and where more cooperation is possible.

This event, which is part of BFPG’s wider ‘Diplomatic Hour’ series will bring together a group of UK-based experts, academics, policymakers, business- and thought-leaders, with an interest in the region and the bilateral relationship to engage in candid, forward-looking conversation on the future of UK-Finnish relations, as well as wider geopolitical and regional developments.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Tuesday 23rd April 2024

Time: 17.30 - 19.00

Location: 23 Grafton Street, Mayfair, W1S 4EY

We will be running a coffee reception for attendees from 17.30 - 18.00, and then the conversation itself will run from 18.00 - 19.00.

Please register to secure your place. Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Should spaces run out you are welcome to join the waitlist and we will notify you should a space become available.

SPEAKERS

His Excellency Mr Jukka Siukosaari

Mr Jukka Siukosaari was appointed the Ambassador of Finland to the United Kingdom in September 2021. Prior to this, Mr Siukosaari was head of the President's office, since 2018. Before this, he was Ambassador in Tokyo from 2016 - 2018, and Ambassador in Buenos Aires from 2012 - 2016. He has other representative experience in London, Pretoria, Rome and Dublin. Mr Siukosaari joined the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1995, and has a master's degree in economics.

Evie Aspinall

Evie Aspinall is the Director of the British Foreign Policy Group. Her primary research interests are domestic consent for foreign policy, the UK’s role in the world and challenges posed by the UK’s strategic rivals. Evie holds a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MSc from King’s College London. She joined BFPG in 2020 and previously worked at UN Women UK and the Future Leaders Network and was formerly the UK Head Delegate to the Youth7, the G7’s official youth engagement group. She also served as President of Cambridge University Students’ Union. She is a regular commentator in the media on issues pertinent to UK foreign policy.

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