The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has completed her official visit to Helsinki, Finland, where she worked to reinforce Canada’s partnerships with Nordic nations and advance transatlantic cooperation in support of Canada’s Arctic foreign policy goals.
This visit marks another important milestone in the deepening relationship between Finland and Canada—two nations bound not only by shared democratic values, but by a mutual commitment to Arctic cooperation, innovation, and multilateral diplomacy. The launch of the Canada–Finland Strategic Partnership on Foreign and Security Policy reflects a broader pattern of collaboration that the Finnish-Canadian community has long championed: fostering people-to-people connections, supporting sustainable development in the North, and building bridges between Canadian and Nordic business, research, and cultural sectors. As Finland takes on an increasingly vital role within NATO and Arctic affairs, this renewed partnership holds great promise for our diaspora and for broader transatlantic resilience.
While in Helsinki, Minister Anand met with Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and announced the launch of a new Canada–Finland Strategic Partnership on Foreign and Security Policy. This initiative underscores the shared commitment of both countries to expand bilateral collaboration and pursue common priorities in transatlantic security, cyber resilience, multilateral engagement, democracy, climate action, open trade, and the promotion of shared values across the North Atlantic. Minister Anand also held talks with Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, focused on strengthening cooperation between Canada and Finland.
In addition, together with Ville Tavio, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Minister Anand visited the Helsinki Shipyard to highlight Canada–Finland cooperation in advancing Arctic capabilities, regional security, and safeguarding the Arctic through innovation and strategic collaboration.
Minister Anand also took part in discussions with her counterparts from the “Nordic Five” — Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. These conversations centered on transatlantic security, continued support for Ukraine, and advancing economic ties. She also met bilaterally with Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, and Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, to explore opportunities to deepen Canada’s cooperation with both countries and to reinforce regional security and NATO engagement.
