Finland’s defence ministry denies co-organising seminar with Israel

Finland’s defence ministry has denied reports that it co-organised a defence industry seminar in Helsinki with Israel, according to a statement to Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday.

The event was arranged by the Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industry Association (Pia), the ministry clarified. Earlier, Israel’s defence ministry had issued a press release naming Finland’s defence ministry as a co-organiser, which was subsequently reported by Finnish broadcasters Yle and news agency STT.

Niina Hyrskylä, the ministry’s director of communications, told Helsingin Sanomat she had no information on why Israel’s statement included the claim.