ISLAMABAD: Finland will be shutting down its embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar next year, the Finnish foreign ministry said this week, citing “operational and strategic reasons.”
The ministry said it regularly reviews how well Finland’s network of missions abroad meets current and future needs and this year, it launched a strategic review that takes into account Finland’s foreign and security policy interests and the needs of Team Finland’s export promotion activities.
In the first stage, Finland strengthened its presence in a key export market in the United States by establishing a Consulate General in Houston this year. The ministry said it is currently preparing to open commercial offices in 2026 at some locations where Finland previously had a presence.
“The long-term development of the network of missions abroad also means that some missions will be closed.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to close the embassies of Finland in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon in 2026,” it said in a statement on this week.
