Finland To Close Its Pakistan Embassy In 2026, Also Shuttering Kabul, Yangon Over 'Limited Ties'

Last Updated:November 29, 2025, 19:58 IST

Finland will close its embassies in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon next year over "their limited commercial and economic relations with Finland."

News18

Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs announced that it has started preparations to close its embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar in 2026 due to changes in the countries’ political situation and their limited economic relations with Finland.

“The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to close the embassies of Finland in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon in 2026," the ministry said in a press release. “The embassies will be closed for operational and strategic reasons, which are linked to changes in the countries’ political situation and their limited commercial and economic relations with Finland."

Finland Aims To Reform Missions

“We will systematically develop Finland’s network of missions abroad to meet future challenges. Our operating environment is changing rapidly. The changes to be made will help us to build a stronger and more competitive Finland and to manage Finland’s external relations in accordance with our priorities," said Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

This decision was part of Finland’s efforts to reform its network of missions abroad. “In the first stage of its strategic review, the Ministry strengthened Finland’s presence in the United States by establishing a Consulate General in Houston. In the next stage, the Ministry will open commercial offices in locations where Business Finland previously had an office," it said.

“The aim is to concentrate resources on countries that are strategically important to Finland," it added. “The long-term development of the network of missions abroad also means that some missions will be closed."

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict

Finland’s decision to close its Pakistani embassy comes amid escalating tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. The situation has become even more sensitive given Pakistan’s repeated airspace violations reported by Kabul in recent weeks.

Islamabad has consistently blamed the Afghan Taliban for sheltering militant groups like the TTP, which has been responsible for a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan. The conflict peaked as both sides exchanged deadly cross-border fire last month, marking the deadliest fight between the two former allies.

The Taliban government responded sharply to the overnight Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan that killed ten civilians on Tuesday, saying that it would deliver a response “at the right time." Pakistan denied carrying out the airstrikes.

A ceasefire arranged in October by Qatar and Turkey technically remains in effect, and neither mediator has commented on the new incidents.

News world Finland To Close Its Pakistan Embassy In 2026, Also Shuttering Kabul, Yangon Over 'Limited Ties'

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