The decision to shut the mission in Islamabad was part of a bigger scheme to trim the Nordic country's network of embassies, with closures also announced in Caracas and Manila.
Foreign ministry undersecretary of state Peter Stenlund told AFP the Pakistan closure was also partly due to security concerns in the capital, pointing out that in order to stay in Islamabad the foreign ministry would have had to invest in a new chancery.
"One aspect is the security situation... It is not an acute situation but because we have to cut costs in our global embassy network we decided not to invest in a new building," he told AFP.
Pakistan's foreign ministry said it had been informed of the decision.
"They (Finland embassy) have conveyed to us officially that they are doing so because of budgetary constraints and cost-cutting," foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told AFP.
He said Finland would consider re-opening the embassy as soon as possible, adding that the mission was expected to close sometime this month.
COMMENTS (23)
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i can't stop laughing at hu jintao's comment and its recommendations, lol
@Hamood:
You seem to almost contridict yourself in the same sentence. PAK is an important country. Ok if it so important then why did Finland close it embassy? Nations like to keep embassies in important countries do they not?
Well, guess that's Finnished then.
@Kashi: i agree with Kashi...as mentioned above regarding nokia budget so for your kind information the nokia is about to be winded up ,it is suffering with hell lot of financial crises and continuously making down sizing ,Finnish people THINK that how to save money at best unlike Pakistani government .
regards ali finland
Why is it that we take such matters at a personal level ? Pakistan has also closed embassies in various countries due to economic as well as changing geo-political priorities.
Embassies and consulates of many countries come and leave for various reasons. All such events are a need for the people of the foreign office to understand as to why it is happening to Pakistan. It is not Pakistan bashing but another reason to do some introspection in the foreign office. Cheerio
Its quite obvious that none of the commentators are prepared to accept and acknowledge the very basic fact of surrent security situation in Pakistan ! This is also a huge issue and expense for smaller missions in Islamabad.
There should be NO DOUBT tht EU countries have Financial problems and their bigger companies are going down. Govts are doing every act to reduce it by cutting jobs etc etc. May be Pak is not a big exporter or Business partner with Finland. So why Finland pay taxes,rent and pays for their Embassy...Nordic ppl r very smart thinking to save their own economy. NO DOUBT.
@Hamood: This was an economic decision by a small country which also closed its embassies in Philipines and Venezuela.
Yes, but Pakistan was also in the bracket. And there is no doubt that this is a blow at various levels that will diminish engagement with an important European nation.
@hedgefunder and other Indians, please stop worrying about other countries leaving Pakistan and mind your own business. Pakistan will always be an important country in the world with the 6th largest population and a rich diaspora across the world. Your dreams and hopes of an isolated Pakistan will always remain dreams. This was an economic decision by a small country which also closed its embassies in Philipines and Venezuela.
In not to distant future there will be other nations, lining up to leave this country, as it will have very little significance in the world. Its obvious that economic reason is just an excuse, as there is nothing much left for Finland to work on to justify their presence!!
easier to control undesirable immigrants from Pakistan also.
Finland is the origin of Nokia phones and has a GDP twice that of Pakistan and a population that is 2.5 % of Pakistan's population.
Finland is a very small country with around 5 million people. There are now big budget constraints and that is why we cannot afford to have embassies in all countries.
I am amused to read some foolish comments here. The Finnish people are very organized and peaceful. Those who have no idea of these people must not pass any comments. The reason is to cut down their costs and there is no political reason for it. Therefore, please pass some sensible remarks.
we should stop all business and relationship with Finland and warn them by showing our nuclear weapons and missiles
One can not be stopped while leaving' at its own wish. Any how ,financial assistance in this regard may be offered by our foreign office.
One Less Country for Pakistani to run for VISAS!!!
Is this a sign of things to come?
One down, how many to go? Time for PAK to wake up.
Sad