Summary:
According to the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), the sustainability criteria of solid biomass is a significant threat to Finland’s forestry industry and agriculture. As a part of its renewable energy directive RED II, the Committee for Environment of the European Parliament would classify various peat energy sources as non-renewable. MTK considers that the criteria should also allow the production of bioenergy with raw materials produced in sustainably nurtured peat forests and fields. The EU Parliament’s Environment Committee is expected to vote on the sustainability criteria in the end of this month.
Auteur/autrice : David
Soini comments on Catalonia: « This should not happen in a democracy »
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says that the violence in Catalonia will inevitably be discussed in the European Union. « This should not happen in a democracy, » Minister Soini adds. He finds that the most important thing now is to start negotiations between the Spanish government and Catalonia, and if necessary the EU should contribute to the process. Minister Soini says that the situation of Catalonia cannot be ignored.
Media: 
Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 2.10.2017
Journalist: Annamari Sipilä
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Sipilä praised by Russia, EU and US criticised – Medvedev thinks Finland regards Baltic Sea gas pipeline ”normally”
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat reports that as Prime Ministers Juha Sipilä and Dmitri Medvedev met in St Petersburg on Thursday, a question on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline provoked Mr Medvedev to praise Finland and to denounce the European Commission and the United States. Mr Medvedev thanked Finland for a practical and constructive position on the project, but predicted that the Commission’s stance will not be as practical. According to him, the EU is politicising the project, and the US is pressuring the EU as the current administration and the Congress are trying to create conditions for US gas production in Europe.
Finnish startups were lobbied to US investors in New York
Summary:
A lunch event was organised for American investors during the UN week for presenting Finnish startup companies to them. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen says investors were given tips on how to find Finnish startups they can invest in and help to expand abroad. He estimates that the fairly rigid labour market in Finland, and other Nordic countries, may be one challenge from a foreign investor’s perspective. Mr Mykkänen points out that a Scandinavian way of thinking seems to be in fashion in the United States and that Finnish companies are starting to be ready to market things even in the US.
Mykkänen grilled about development co-operation funds: « When can we afford 0.7 per cent? »
Summary:
Opposition parties in the Finnish parliament attacked the government’s low development co-operation funding during the parliamentary debate on next year’s budget on 26 September. Opposition MPs made several questions to Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen regarding how the government plans to raise the share of development co-operation funds to the long-term goal of 0.7% of GDP. In next year’s budget the share is 0.38%. Mr Mykkänen could not promise that the government would raise development co-operation funding in the near future to the extent that the goal would be reached. He noted that the Finnish state is spending more money than it is earning also in the near future and only after this development is stopped can any significant increases to development co-operation be made.
Mykkänen on CETA: Finnish businesses benefit from disappearance of customs duties
Summary:
The CETA free trade agreement between the EU and Canada came into force on 27 September. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen says Finnish businesses benefit from the agreement e.g. through the disappearance of customs duties and the opening up of service markets. Mr Mykkänen is travelling to Canada in October with a trade delegation and he has high expectations for advancing trade between Finland and Canada. He adds that the CETA agreement will create new opportunities for Finnish businesses in e.g. environmental and transport services as well as make investments in Canada easier.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini in New York: « Hopefully a long way from Trump’s racy rhetoric to military action »
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini commented on the UN General Assembly at a press conference and stated that there is plenty of work to do in peace mediation in which Finland has a good reputation and strong demand. Mr. Soini says Finland can profile in mediation because it has traditionally emphasised e.g. peacekeeping and girls’ education. The minister also commented on US President Donald Trump’s speech an views on North Korea and hoped that reason would eventually win. He points out that the issue goes beyond the United States and North Korea because of the security threat to Japan and nuclear weapons in general.
Mykkänen in FT: Making foreign acquisitions more difficult could start a trade war
Summary:
The European Union’s plans to tighten the screening of direct investments from outside the Union will not bring the wanted benefits, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen estimates in an interview with the Financial Times. In a worst case scenario it could lead to a trade war. The objective of the more extensive vetting is to respond to the increase in Chinese investment in the European technology, energy and infrastructure sectors. Mr Mykkänen notes that the initiative is meant to please France and Germany but at the same time it could provoke China, India and the United States.