Minister Maria Manuela Lucas meets the Mozambican community in Finland

During her official visit to Finland from 28 to 30 June 2026, H.E. Ms Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, Mozambique’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, met the Mozambican community living in Finland, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to dialogue with citizens abroad.

The visit aimed to deepen cooperation between Mozambique and Finland, particularly in business, digital governance, technological infrastructure, connectivity and cybersecurity.

In her meeting with her Finnish counterpart, H.E. Ms Elina Valtonen, Minister Lucas emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and establishing regular political consultations to consolidate longstanding friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding.

The programme in Helsinki also included meetings with H.E. Mr Pasi Hellman, Under-Secretary of State for Development Policy, recently appointed Finland’s Ambassador to Japan; H.E. Mr Johannes Koskinen, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee; and Mr Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

The community meeting on the afternoon of 28 June provided an opportunity for open discussion. Participants raised access to consular services, including identity and travel documents; information about Mozambique’s political, economic and social situation; employment challenges, particularly for young people; and opportunities for the diaspora to participate in investment and development in Mozambique.

Recognising the diaspora’s contribution to national development and relations with host countries, Minister Lucas directed the establishment of a permanent communication and coordination platform between the Embassy in Stockholm, the Mozambican community in Finland and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The initiative aims to improve institutional dialogue, follow-up of community concerns and timely, coordinated responses.