Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini recently visited Australia and New Zealand. He thinks Australia could be a giant market for Finland. The country offers business opportunities particularly in the cleantech sector, in mining industry and treatment of dangerous waste. There is also interest in Finnish start-ups. According to Minister Soini, Australia is a very attractive country to Finnish companies because of good authority collaboration, few hindrances to business and the fact that Australians have money. He adds that people in Australia are technology-oriented. Australia is a big economy but a small trade partner for Finland. Minister Soini estimates this is due to lack of contacts and long distance.
Catégorie : Presse Finlandaise
Soini: Finland could set a daily limit for asylum seekers
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini believes that if the EU cannot agree on issues, member states will start limiting the number of asylum seekers, and Finland is no exception to this. Minister Soini told news agency STT that also Finland could set a daily limit to the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country in the future. According to him, Europe cannot withstand the current situation for long. So far, at least Austria, Slovenia and Croatia have set daily limits to asylum seekers.
Media: Keskisuomalainen
Date: 2.3.2016
Journalist: STT
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Niinistö takes over from government in foreign policy
HS writes that in this government term, foreign and security policy has become as important as financial policy in Finland. The EU is crumbling: first the euro crisis, then the asylum seekers and soon the UK votes on EU membership. Russia has become an unpredictable neighbour and the international situation has become more complicated. So far, the Sipilä government and President Sauli Niinistö have collaborated well in foreign and security policy. The government has let the President take the role of the leader in the sector. The policy will be in focus later this year as the government showcases its foreign and security policy report to the Parliament. Also in the EU, financial issues have become less important as foreign and security policy concerns have been on top of the agenda.
Soini comments on the military drill with US
Foreign Affairs Minister Timo Soini commented on the military drill to be held this spring, in which US army vehicles will also participate. According to Minister Soini, Finland does not aim to show off. However, he pointed out that Finland has always been very keen to defend itself. When asked what kind of message the US army vehicles’ visit would send to Russia, Minister Soini said that the message is that Finland takes care of its own defence and looks after its competence. According to Minister Soini, Finland’s collaboration with the United States has increased but Finland is still in charge of its own defence.
Negotiations between Areva and TVO progress
According to the French newspaper Les Echos, the negotiations between Areva and Teollisuuden Voima concerning Olkiluoto 3 are advancing in good spirit. The paper writes that it is unclear whether there will be any results before Areva publishes its financial statements on Thursday. TVO did not want to comment on the information. The French EDF is buying Areva’s reactor business but it does not want OL3. TVO is concerned what will happen to the Olkiluoto project if it is separated from the plan. According to Les Echos, Areva is seeking an overall solution to the situation with TVO. The OL3 project is ten years late and it has caused nearly EUR 5 billion losses to Areva.
President Niinistö: Drills with US do not affect Finland’s NATO policy
President Sauli Niinistö decided to bring clarity to the blurred discussion regarding military drills with the US on Wednesday. He said that the drills to be held this spring are technical and related to military skills, which develop Finland’s ability to defend the country. According to President Niinistö, they play no part in Finland’s view on NATO operations or Finland’s foreign policy. Finland’s security policy position is determined in so called Crisis Management Exercises, in which NATO partners’ position in relation to NATO is determined. « As NATO partner, we secure Finland’s territorial integrity. It is and will be the political content of Finland’s military drills », he added.
President Niinistö: Refugee situation nearly chaotic
According to Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö, the refugee situation in Europe is as bad as it looked at the beginning of the year, Maaseudun Tulevaisuus writes. « The almost chaotic situation in Southern and Central Europe has led to each country introducing their own measures, which might not be in line with international agreements, » he said. Turkey and Germany have suggested that NATO would help in the crisis. President Niinistö thinks it could be the most effective solution but its compatibility with international agreements will be discussed.
Media: Maaseudun Tulevaisuus
Date: 24.2.2016
Journalist: Riitta Ryynänen
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö
Caruna’s fee hikes could launch Finland’s first class action
The electricity network company Caruna has announced major hikes to electricity transfer fees and Finland’s consumer authorities are now seriously contemplating a class action against Caruna if they cannot agree on a solution in negotiations with the company. Both consumers and politicians have been annoyed by the hikes, which can be up to 50%, and they have contacted consumer authorities. Caruna justifies the move by investments in the electricity network, and because of the monopoly position, customers cannot change the service provider.
Media: YLE Uutiset
Date: 8.2.2016
Journalist: Sanna Vilkman
Main source: –