Antti Niemela

Finland is the Happiest country in the World for the 9th year running. We also climbed up the world brand index from 7th to 5th. I am often asked why we do well in these rankings. I do not think there is a magic potion, but it helps to have a society which strives towards freedom, equality and justice. The basis of it all is a welfare society, a robust education system, a sense of security and a close attachment to nature. There is no such thing as a perfectly happy society, but providing some building blocks that give us a chance to live a meaningful life, to help others, will nudge us in the right direction during the journey of life.

Today, we need the European Union more than ever. The EU, with all of its imperfections, is about peace, prosperity and security. Let’s keep working for freedom, liberty and democracy together. Happy Europe Day!

Finland is ranked the Happiest Country in the World for eight years running. Thank you. Kiitos! For us Finns being happy or content with life has at least 5,6 million reasons. In other words we all have our own take on happiness. I personally think that happiness is closely linked to meaning. And meaning often comes from making others happy. That feeling when you help a friend and bring a smile to their face. In today’s tumultuous world we all need it. Life is never perfect and no one can be happy all the time, and sometimes circumstance makes it difficult. But getting the basics right - security, freedom and equality - is a good start. So, next time you are thinking about visiting a new place, why don’t you come and enjoy Finnish hospitality, nature and food. And if you are brave, enough you can try one of our 2,2 million saunas. Finland, even cooler than you think! _ Onnea maailman onnellisimmalle kansalle! Pidetään yhdessä huolta siitä, että Suomi säilyy maailman onnellisimpana maana jatkossakin. _ Lyckan kommer, lyckan går, men Finland är världens lyckligaste land i åtta år. Det gäller väl att bara bada bastu.

I spoke tonight with @ZelenskyyUa We discussed Finland's support to Ukraine and steps to find a sustainable and just conclusion to Russia's war of aggression.

Together with the President of the United States @potus and the Prime Minister of Canada @justintrudeau, we have adopted a joint statement on icebreaker cooperation. It is a strategic, political and economic declaration. It is the first step in building a partnership with our North American Allies in a sector that is important to us. This is a great opportunity for Finland. Of the world's icebreakers, 80 per cent are designed in Finland and 60 per cent are built in Finland. Finnish expertise is highly valued. Without Finland's membership in NATO, this joint statement would not have come true.

Olemme yhdessä Yhdysvaltojen presidentti @potus ja Kanadan pääministeri @justintrudeau kanssa hyväksyneet yhteisjulistuksen jäänmurtajayhteistyöstä. Se on strateginen, poliittinen ja taloudellinen julistus. Se on ensimmäinen askel, jossa rakennamme pohjois-amerikkalaisten liittolaisten kanssa kumppanuutta meille tärkeällä sektorilla. Tämä on iso mahdollisuus Suomelle. Maailman jäänmurtajista 80 prosenttia on suunniteltu Suomessa ja 60 prosenttia rakennettu Suomessa. Suomen osaamista arvostetaan. Ilman Suomen Nato-jäsenyyttä tätä julistusta ei olisi tehty. Lue lisää: presidentti.fi/suomi-yhdysva…

Finland has been ranked the Happiest Country in the World, now for seven years in a row. Many reasons for it, here are my three: 1. Nature. 2. Trust. 3. Education. There are naturally many other reasons for collective happiness. What would be your top three?