Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro led the inauguration of the Philippine Embassy in Helsinki, Finland, marking the formal re-establishment of the country’s diplomatic presence in the Nordic state.
The embassy, located at the historic Wuorio building on Unioninkatu 30, was inaugurated on May 19 as a symbol of the renewed partnership between the Philippines and Finland.
In her remarks, Lazaro highlighted the strong connections between Filipinos and Finns through personal and everyday interactions, as well as growing cooperation in several areas, including smart and digital solutions.
She also noted the broader relationship between the Philippines and the European Union and thanked Finland for supporting the Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement.
With the Philippines serving as ASEAN chair this year, Lazaro underscored ASEAN’s role in promoting regional stability, economic integration, and multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. She also recognized the growing ASEAN-EU partnership and said she looked forward to the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations in 2027.
Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs joined Lazaro in inaugurating the embassy. He cited the deepening partnership between the Philippines and Finland through economic cooperation, people-to-people ties, and broader regional initiatives.
Salovaara also pointed to the EU’s Global Gateway and Digital Economy Package, which aims to make the Philippines a digital connectivity hub in the ASEAN region.
He further emphasized the need for like-minded states to uphold rules-based international order amid current global uncertainties.
The inauguration was witnessed by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Helsinki, Ambassador Josip Buljević of Croatia; heads of ASEAN missions in Helsinki; former Philippine honorary consuls in Helsinki; and officials from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the City of Helsinki.
The Philippine Embassy in Finland reopened in October 2024. In 2025, the Philippines and Finland marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.