Catégorie : Presse Finlandaise

Minister Toivakka: Finnish companies must become international

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Minister for Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka says that Finland’s exports start growing through internationalisation. In addition, cost competitiveness must be fixed. Therefore, Minister Toivakka thinks it is important that the social contract advances. According to the Minister, there is demand for Finnish knowhow abroad but there are not enough Finnish companies on the markets. She emphasises that services export, such as information technology knowhow and project construction, is not seen in the statistics. Finnish companies succeed with high quality, reputation and technology, but price is something that they struggle with, Ms Toivakka finds.

Media:  YLE Uutiset

Date: 21.3.2016

Finland’s social security costs highest in Europe

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Eurostat announced on Tuesday that of EU member states, Finland uses the greatest amount of public funds on social security in relation to gross domestic product (GDP). Finland uses 25.4% of GDP on social security. The next highest proportions are in France, Denmark, Austria and Italy. On average, EU countries use 19.4% of GDP on social security. After Denmark, Finland uses the second greatest share of money in relation to GDP on healthcare. What comes to education costs, Finland’s expenses are the third biggest, Talouselämä writes.

Media:  Talouselämä

Date: 22.3.2016

Journalist: –

Main source: –

Soini while visiting London: New wave of immigrants coming to EU from Libya – and bill to tax payers

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According to Foreign Minister Timo Soini, Libya will be the next transit country for immigrants trying to get to Europe since the EU and Turkey have closed the route from Turkey. Libya will need advice on border and police force issues, which is a task more suitable for the EU than for NATO. Mr Soini predicts that Libya and the EU will eventually reach a similar agreement as the EU-Turkey agreement. Mr Soini met with his British counterpart Philip Hammond on Monday, and discussed the situation in Libya as well as the British EU-referendum. Mr Hammond believes the Brits will vote to remain in the EU. If Britain leaves the Union, other member states might consider leaving, too. Mr Soini did not want to estimate, whether Finland should consider holding an EU-referendum if Britain leaves the EU.

Niinistö: Border restrictions to be implemented soon

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Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday in Moscow and announced that the border stations in Salla and Raja-Jooseppi will be closed for the next six months from other than Finnish, Russian and Belarusian citizens. President Niinistö believes this will be done as soon as possible. President Niinistö is satisfied with the agreement. In addition, President Putin thoroughly evaluated the situation in Syria to President Niinistö. The Finnish President also commented on the terrorist attack in Brussels. He said that Finns should be vigilant, and be prepared for that something like this could also happen in Finland. He is hopeful that Finland can approach these questions and safeguard its citizens so that basic values are maintained.

Public debt above 60% of GDP

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In 2015, Finland’s public debt exceeded the 60% limit determined in the European Union’s stability and growth pact. Public debt grew by nine billion euros to EUR 130.7 billion, Verkkouutiset writes. According to Statistics Finland, it was 63.1% of Finland’s gross domestic product last year. The debt in state administration grew by EUR 5.8 billion, in local administration by 0.8 billion and in social security funds by 0.9 billion.

Media:  Verkkouutiset

Date: 16.3.2016

Journalist: Heikki Jantunen

Main source: –

Fitch lowered Finland to AA+

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Fitch has lowered Finland’s credit rating to AA+ from AAA. The credit rating company still finds Finland’s outlook stable. Moody’s rating for Finland is still AAA, but Standard & Poor’s lowered its rating to AA+ already in October 2014. Nordea’s Chief Economist Aki Kangasharju is not surprised by Fitch’s move. It shows that Finland’s outlook is very weak and that the country has a lot of public debt. Fitch’s message to Finland is that reforms need to be made.

Media:  YLE Uutiset

Date: 11.3.2016

Journalist: Jaana Hevonoja, Iiro-Matti Nieminen

Main source: Aki Kangasharju / Nordea

Soini: Some 100 have joined IS, some 20 are dead

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says that roughly 100 people from Finland have joined the IS troops. About 20 of them have died. The news was first reported by Ilta-Sanomat. The police have been able to confirm a figure of 70 people, but in reality more have joined the IS. According to Minister Soini, Finland must prepare for the possible return of the fighters. Finland naturally wants to stop them from doing anything radical or from recruiting others.

Media:  STT Mediapankki 

Date: 14.3.2016

Journalist: STT

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Soini: Sanctions against Russia not cancelled

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According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, the sanctions against Russia are not cancelled: there is no disagreement over the issue in the EU. Minister Soini says that EU Foreign Ministers are dissatisfied because the situation between Ukraine and Russia does not seem to improve. He adds that Finland’s agriculture is not in trouble due to EU’s sanctions but due to Russia’s counter sanctions. Furthermore, Minister Soini says he is concerned over Syria and the growth of IS. He also fears that once the border to Greece is closed, refugees start flowing into Lambedusa. Now, it is important to convey the message that only those who are in real need of asylum are taken into Europe.