On 19 October, during a festive ceremony, Ambassador Nicolaas Beets installed Ms Taina Torvela as the new honorary consul of the Netherlands in Lapland. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has appointed the new honorary consul for a period of five years.

Authorities of Lapland and Rovaniemi, members of the Dutch community, representatives of Dutch industry and the consular corps in Rovaniemi were among the invitees of the reception.

Ambassador Beets thanked the retiring honorary consul, Mr Hannu Haase, for his commitment and enthusiasm in performing his tasks. Mr. Haase was honorary consul of the Netherlands in Lapland for fifteen years.
The first honorary consul for the Netherlands in Lapland was appointed in 1957 and was initially posted in Kemi.

Netherlands has seven honorary consuls of Finland, in Mariehamn, Turku, Tampere, Kuopio, Vaasa, Oulu and Rovaniemi. The honorary consuls have an important task in assisting the Dutch living in the area, as well Dutch tourists in case of an emergency. The honorary consul also plays a role in promoting trade contacts and cultural exchanges.

Mrs. Torvela is managing director and co-founder of the advertising agency Ajatus Oy. Ajatus Oy is one of the largest advertising agencies in northern Finland. Besides Rovaniemi, the company also has an office in Oulu and Kajaani.