Finland Times

Haavisto succeeds Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy for Syria.

“Pekka Haavisto's appointment to serve as President of the EIP Board of Governors is an excellent matter and a recognition for Finland's long-term mediation work,” said Foreign Minister Timo Soini in a statement.

The EIP functions independent of the European Union, supporting and augmenting the expanding peace agenda of the EU. Finland is one of the founding members of the institute. 

The EIP's main areas of activity are mediation tasks and such supportive functions in mediation where the EU has limited freedom or ability to act, including mobilisation of experts and resources, development of training and knowledge, training and coaching, and provision of small grants to mediation and dialogue processes.