The Ministry has said that the decision does not affect the activities of Russian diplomatic missions in Finland. Petrozavodsk is located nearly 300 km from Finland’s southeast border…reports Asian Lite News
Finland has announced it would temporarily close its consulate office in Petrozavodsk, Russia.
According to the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the decision comes after a significant decrease in the office’s core tasks, although it may reopen later if necessary.
The Petrozavodsk office was established in 1990, and focuses on issues regarding entry, bilateral connections, and the promotion of regional and cross-border cooperation. Earlier this year, the Foreign Ministry decided to close its consulate office in Murmansk, which along with the Petrozavodsk Office operated under Finland’s Consulate General in St Petersburg. However, the latter will continue its activities.
The Ministry has said that the decision does not affect the activities of Russian diplomatic missions in Finland. Petrozavodsk is located nearly 300 km from Finland’s southeast border.
Russia vows countermeasures
Russia will respond with “military-technical and other measures” to address the national security threats arising from Finland’s accession to NATO, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“Specific decisions regarding the buildup of defence capabilities along Russia’s northwestern borders will depend on the specific terms on which Finland joins NATO, including the deployment of NATO’s military infrastructure and offensive weapons on its territory,” said the Ministry in a statement on Tuesday.
The lines of contact between NATO and Russia have more than doubled, constituting a major shift for Northern Europe, one of the most stable regions in the world, the Ministry noted.
“Finland’s accession to NATO will have a negative effect on the bilateral relations between Russia and Finland,” said the statement.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday voiced his concerns over Finland’s entry into NATO, adding that it encroaches on Russia’s security and interests.
“We will take countermeasures to ensure our security in tactical and strategic terms,” he told a daily briefing.
Finland on Tuesday formally became the 31st member state of NATO. The national flag of Finland was raised and the country’s anthem was played for the first time at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday afternoon in a brief ceremony.
“The era of military non-alignment in our history has come to an end. A new era begins,” Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto said at the ceremony.
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