Auteur/autrice : David

Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini: Pressure for discussion and seeking alternatives in Russia

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Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates that the extensive protests against President Vladimir Putin organised in Russia on Sunday 26 March indicate that civil society works in Russia. He says the protests show there is pressure for discussion and seeking alternatives in the Russian society and that civil society wants to be heard better. Mr Soini says there is no need to overdramatise the apprehension of opposition leader Alexei Navalny as the protests were organised without permission and those apprehended will probably be let go fairly soon.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 27.3.2017
Journalist: Mika Koskinen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Danske Bank improves forecast for Finland’s economic growth

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Summary:
Danske Bank estimates that Finland’s GDP will grow by 1.5% this year and next year. Earlier the bank predicted a growth of 1.3%. According to Danske Bank, indicators suggest that economic activity in Finland will continue to be lively. Danske Bank’s Chief Economist Pasi Kuoppamäki says the bank expects optimistic consumers to increase consumption also this year thanks to income tax breaks and improvements in the employment situation. The focus of growth will, however, move from private consumption to export and industrial investments in the future.

Media:  Taloussanomat / Ilta-Sanomat
Date: 21.3.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: Danske Bank’s Chief Economist Pasi Kuoppamäki

Tiilikainen: EU’s LULUCF proposal would restrict the use of wood too much – “Forests cannot be just a passive lump”

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Summary:
Minister of Agriculture and the Environment Kimmo Tiilikainen thinks the European Commission’s proposal on the LULUCF sector is too focused on a climate viewpoint. Forest policy is also based on the need to produce material for the industry. Forests are a source of employment and are important for environmental diversity and social well-being. He suggests that wood-based products should have their own category in carbon sink calculations. Current comparison levels may create restrictions to bioeconomy and do not encourage long-term use of wood. Forests should be an active instrument of climate policy, he says.

WTO Director-General targeted by Trump: Free trade does not destroy jobs, technological development does

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Summary:
US President Donald Trump’s statements on trade policy have targeted the WTO and caused concern with their protectionist stance. However, Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General of the WTO, is not concerned because there are no signs of any massive increase in protectionism. In Finland, Trump’s policies cause concern. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen believes it is possible that the United States will assume more protectionist policies in the short term, which would harm the Finnish economy dependent on exports. However, Mr Mykkänen expects the United States to return to free trade sooner or later because the country has been a clear winner in the liberation of world trade and US companies are among the most global in the world.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs: NGOs’ development cooperation corresponds to needs – collaboration should still be increased

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Summary:
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published the second part of its three-report series evaluating development cooperation and humanitarian aid funded by the ministry. According to the report, the development cooperation done by NGOs corresponds to people’s needs and the guidelines of Finland’s development policies. It is still recommended that collaboration between NGOs, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and embassies is increased. According to the ministry, it is difficult to evaluate the long-term effects of development cooperation done by NGOs as no systematic data has been collected.

Media:  Satakunnan Kansa
Date: 21.3.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: –

President Niinistö snaps at sceptics: « Cheap move »

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Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö says he would be willing to look into some kind of distribution of work (in military issues) in addition to joint defence acquisitions in the EU. Mr Niinistö points out that for many Finns joining the EU was a matter of security and that their feeling of security would be reinforced by an EU that produced security. Mr Niinistö says it is « a cheap move » to dismiss the defence dimension of the EU based on the fact that the union does not have its own army and points out that the armies of the member states would form the joint force of the union.

The EU distributes funding – two Finnish firms receive €2.8 million

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Summary:
A round of funding under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has seen a €100-million pot divided between 71 companies. Finland received funding for two companies: Nordic 24/7 Services, which received €1.1 million, and Minima Processor, which received €1.69 million. Nordic 24/7 has developed a new kind of environmentally friendly cooling system for small spaces while Minima Processor has developed technology for reducing the power consumption of microprocessors. The funding is part of the second ‘Innovation project’ phase of funding under the Horizon programme, the purpose of which is to help SMEs bring innovations to market. Support is also available to companies in the form of 12 days of free business coaching.

Pertti Salolainen: Suggestions about EU referendum hurt Finland’s image

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Summary:
Vice-Chair of the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, MP Pertti Salolainen criticises suggestions about holding an EU referendum in Finland as irresponsible and petty party politics. This talk is contrary to Finland’s national interests and hurts Finland’s image internationally, he says. Membership in the EU has been and is important for Finland both economically and in terms of security policy. Finland must be one of those countries that strengthen the EU’s unity, security, and internal markets, Mr Salolainen maintains.

Media:  Verkkouutiset / Nykypäivä
Date: 13.3.2017
Journalist: Siina Ekberg
Main source: MP Pertti Salolainen, Vice-Chair of the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee