While the foreign minister says Finland is monitoring the situation closely, a divide between parties in the governing coalition could prevent Palestinian recognition.
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File photo. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen. Image: Petteri Bülow / Yle
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) said Finland is following the international debate around recognising Palestine, but avoided confirming whether any formal preparations are underway.
“We are, of course, cooperating with the international community and, crucially, with our most important peer countries,” Valtonen told Yle during a visit to France.
Last week, France announced plans to formally recognise the State of Palestine during the UN General Assembly in September — a move that has increased pressure on other European countries, including Finland.
Finland’s political leadership has previously stated that the country would be prepared to recognise Palestine if key peers, such as France, took steps in that direction. Valtonen said that Denmark and the United Kingdom are also among the countries Finland considers close peers in the matter.
“We’re in active dialogue with those countries, but of course each state makes its own sovereign decisions,” she said.
Valtonen met French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot last week, but declined to say whether he had urged Finland to support Palestinian recognition.
“Jean-Noël [Barrot] and I speak almost daily. It doesn’t require intense lobbying — it’s more about exchanging information and perspectives,” she said.
Their discussions also covered topics beyond the Middle East, though Valtonen said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was a key concern.
“We’re witnessing famine and immense human suffering. The international community and the EU have a duty to do everything they can to alleviate this suffering,” she said.
Domestic politics could complicate recognition
When asked if Finland would be ready to act swiftly should more European countries follow France’s lead before the UN General Assembly, Valtonen pointed to the constitutional framework guiding foreign policy decisions.
“Finland’s foreign and security policy is led by the president in cooperation with the government. At this stage, there hasn’t been a need to update our official position,” she said.
She reiterated Finland’s long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
According to a recent Yle survey, a majority of Finnish parliamentary parties support recognising Palestine. The Social Democrats, Left Alliance, Greens and Movement Now are calling for swift action.
Valtonen’s National Coalition Party and the Swedish People’s Party also support recognition, though on a slower timeline. The government’s other two parties — the Finns Party and the Christian Democrats — oppose the move, which complicates efforts to reach a consensus.