Auteur/autrice : David

More than 80 per cent want Sauli Niinistö to run in presidential election

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Summary:
82 per cent of Finns want President Sauli Niinistö to run in the presidential election next year, a survey by news site Verkkouutiset shows. Mr Niinistö’s popularity was even higher among men, of whom 86 per cent wanted him to run. 78 per cent of women supported Mr Niinistö. According to the survey, the majority of Finns are satisfied with Mr Niinistö’s presidency. Mr Niinistö has not yet told whether he will run in the election next year.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 13.4.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: –

Mykkänen in Minsk: Finland role model for both opposition and administration in Belarus

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Summary:
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen has discussed the weakened human rights situation in Belarus with both the opposition and the administration during his visit in the country. For example, the situation of the media is now weaker than in a long time. Mr Mykkänen notes that opposition MPs still feel they can act and discuss relatively freely and that the government has sought to discuss solutions even with more critical movements. Mr Mykkänen believes the administration wants to find out early what is causing concern among citizens in order to prevent wide protests. Mr Mykkänen says he wanted to make it clear that human rights violations would not be brushed under the carpet but that they affect the co-operation between the EU and Belarus.

Only Finland and Malta have been model students in internal relocation of refugees – disputed European Commission programme badly behind schedule

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Summary:
Numbers released by the European Commission indicate that the internal relocation of asylum seekers is significantly behind schedule. Only Finland and Malta are on schedule. Finland originally abstained from voting on the relocation programme but has since then been a model student in implementing the programme. Finland has so far accepted 602 people from Italy and 738 from Greece. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos says the Commission will put pressure on countries that are dragging their feet.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 12.4.2017
Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen
Main source: Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship

Finland established EU hybrid threat centre in Helsinki with nine other countries – “Finland too is a target of influence” says Foreign Minister Soini

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Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat reports that Finland and nine other countries signed an agreement on the establishment of the EU center of excellence for countering hybrid threats in Helsinki. Foreign Minister Timo Soini noted that the centre represents concrete actions in improving resilience and cooperation between the EU and NATO. He finds it vital that cooperation between the two becomes deeper and stronger. Representing the European External Action Service, Air Commodore John Maas praised Finland for being active in the establishment process. According to Yle, Professor of Cyber Security Jarno Limnéll will be appointed as the Director of the centre.

Export unions urge Government to keep promise to industries

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Summary:
Finnish export unions urge the Finnish Government to improve the competitiveness and prerequisites of Finnish industries, writes Demokraatti. According to the unions, the Government must keep its promise not to add expenses to the industries during this electoral term. The unions say that the Government must be active in the EU’s energy and climate policy in a way that improves competitiveness. Decisions regarding industries must be predictable and long-term. Timo Jaatinen of the Finnish Forest Industries notes that Brexit and protectionism create threats to industries in Finland.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 10.4.2017
Journalist: Johannes Ijäs
Main source: Timo Jaatinen, Finnish Forest Industries

Soini: Finland strongly condemns Syrian gas attack

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Summary:
Foreign Minister Timo Soini says he is shocked about the Syrian gas attack. According to him, Finland sharply condemns the attack. « It is a war crime. This is one of the saddest days in this job », he said. According to Soini, the UN Security Council’s permanent members now are in charge. They need to put an end to the attacks by increasing the pressure. In his opinion, it is a shame for the international community if things like this can occur.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 6.4.2017
Journalist:
Main source:

Niinistö responded sharply to critics: ”Human rights were a bigger topic than pandas”

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Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö stressed that human rights were discussed more than pandas during the state visit of the Chinese President. Niinistö wondered at a press conference about the criticism over the historic visit of the Chinese President. Many had criticized the fact that pandas played the main role and that Finland did not dare to raise serious human rights issues. According to Niinistö, these claims are wrong.

Media:  Kauppalehti
Date: 6.4.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: Sauli Niinistö/ president

Harsh accusation of tax planning

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Summary:
NGO FinnWatch accuses development finance company Finnfund’s Finnish consulting company Dasos Capital of aggressive tax planning. Finnfund denies the claim and considers Finnwatch’s allegations irresponsible. Both parties were invited to meet with Foreign Trade and Development Minister Kai Mykkänen on Monday for a consultation with the goal « to discuss principles face to face ». Finnwatch Executive Director Sonja Vartiala requires that Finnfund’s owner – the State – must prevent tax evasion related to investments made in the name of development cooperation. She demands an independent investigation by the Foreign Ministry.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 11.4.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: –