About Us
Political-Economic Affairs Section
The Political-Economic Affairs Section of Embassy Helsinki is responsible for relations between Finland and the United States pertaining to bilateral matters of political and economic policy, as well as numerous multilateral and EU-related issues. On the political side, the Section is the Embassy's primary liaison with Finland's Foreign Affairs, Justice, Interior, and Labor Ministries. The Political Section also maintains close contact with Finland's Parliament, governmental institutions, and many non-governmental organizations. In coordination with other Embassy sections, the Political-Economic Affairs Section ensures that U.S. positions and interests are carefully presented and explained to the Finnish Government and people. The Section works closely with Finnish partners in many areas of shared concern, including:
- regional and global security issues
- trafficking-in-persons
- human rights
- religious freedom
- immigration
- labor issues
- law enforcement, extradition, and treaty compliance issues
- transatlantic issues
On the economic side, the Section is responsible for U.S. Government policy on a wide range of issues, including bilateral trade and investment, multilateral (i.e. EU, WTO) trade and investment, the environment, science and technology, civil aviation, nuclear safety, energy, the Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe (e-PINE) and strategic trade controls.
In covering this diverse range of economic policy issues, the Section works with a broad range of Finnish Ministries, and is responsible to a large collection of U.S. Government departments and agencies. In Finland, section personnel work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (which includes the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Development), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Employment and Economy, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The section also works with private sector organizations, most notably the Confederation of Finnish Industries, Finland's largest private sector interest group. In Washington, section personnel represent or report to the Department of State and the other departments and agencies listed below.
Contact Information:
Political-Economic Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy
Itäinen Puistotie 14
00140 Helsinki
Phone: +358-9-6162-5480
Fax: +358-9-6162-5766
U.S. Departments
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Energy
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of State - Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
• Department of Transportation
• Department of the Treasury
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• U.S. Trade Representative