Auteur/autrice : David

Sipilä: Juncker’s proposal of joint military headquarters for EU should be looked into

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Summary:

Finland wants to examine carefully the meaning of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s proposal of a joint headquarters for EU military missions, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä says. As such, Finland supports intensifying defence cooperation in the EU and has proposed e.g. greater cooperation in research related to the military field. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says the EU should concentrate on practical problems in foreign and security policy. He sees no future for an EU army but says yes to cooperation in e.g. security of supply.

Media:  MTV – Finland

Date: 14.9.2016

Journalist: Juha Kaija

Soini on Sweden’s Nato report: Shows that we share security environment

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Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says the recent Nato report ordered by the Swedish government is a reminder that Swedish solutions are carefully monitored also in Finland, as the countries share a security environment. Mr Soini is not sorry that the report does not tie together Sweden’s and Finland’s possible Nato membership like the Finnish Nato report did and points out that both countries would make their decisions independently. Mr Soini also commented on the report’s view that an intensification of the defence cooperation between Sweden and Finland would also include risks for Sweden. Mr Soini does not see any major risks for Finland, and he emphasises the importance of cooperation in training.

This is how to get Finland to rise – economists say what the government should decide

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Summary:

Nordea’s Chief Economist Aki Kangasharju and head of the Labour Institute for Economic Research Seija Ilmakunnas tell Taloussanomat, what the government should decide about budget for the country’s economy to rise again. Most of the suggestions by Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment should be put to use in order to make the economy grow, Mr Kangasharju comments. However, this is not likely to happen, he adds. Tax reduction prevents the further decrease of purchasing power, but it will not really increase due to inflation, Mr Kangasharju explains. Both Mr Kangasharju and Ms Ilmakunnas would support employment by giving opportunities for studying to the unemployed. Mr Kangasharju speaks for making studying easier and possible with earnings related unemployment security. The unemployed should also be compelled to accept work in new fields of life and further from home and the period of earnings related unemployments security should be shortened and tiered.

Kai Mykkänen suggests coal tax as means to fix emissions trade

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Summary:

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen suggests implementing a coal tax. According to Mr Mykkänen, the tax woul provide investments in emission-free energy production without resorting to subsidies for renewable energy. Finland should implement the tax in collaboration with other Nordic countries, especially Sweden. Mr Mykkänen says it is possible that the Finnish energy strategy will conclude that there is a need for a, preferably, Nordic system for directing energy investments through emission prices. According to the minister, it is uncertain whether the measures proposed by the EU Commission will be enough for the price of emmission allowances to rise above 20 euro which is concidered the price level that will begin to direct investments.

Finland is not renewing its temporary border deal with Russia – Finnish professor: “We should not be lulled into anything now”

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Summary:

Finland is not negotiating to renew the temporary border agreement with Russia. The agreement was negotiated after 1713 refugees came to the Eastern border from November to February. Professor Markku Kivinen from Helsinki University is surprised that a new deal is not negotiated. He finds that the deal has helped to keep the EU’s northernmost border well. Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Pertti Salolainen finds that renewing the deal would be timely.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat

Date: 7.9.2016

Journalist: Ossi Mansikka

Main source: Professor Markku Kivinen / Helsinki University, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Pertti Salolainen

Minister Kai Mykkänen: Reports of the death of TTIP are premature

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Summary:

Minister for Foreign Trade Kai Mykkänen considers reports of the TTIP treaty’s death premature after meeting with Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström in Brussels. Mr Mykkänen says that the commissioner has « strong intent » to finish the treaty, although it might not be finished before the end of US President Barack Obama’s term. Mr Mykkänen believes that the treaty could bring thousands of jobs to Finland. The minister also met with Commissioner for Development Neven Mimica. Finland and the Commission agree that development aid should be given in the form of investments into local companies.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition) 

Timo Soini: « Turkey will not become EU member at least in 20 years »

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Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says the EU should make sure that relations with Turkey do not become too inflamed because of disputes. According to Mr Soini, the EU should demand Turkey to respect human rights and state of law but avoid unnecessary confrontation. Turkey should be kept close for reasons relating to the economy and security policy. According to Mr Soini, membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey are currently in a bad state and Turkey will not become a member of the EU at least in 20 years. The minister is concerned about Turkey’s motives in the war in Syria.

Timo Soini: No place for hate and violence in Finland

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Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini emphasised the role of international cooperation in fighting off threats in a speech at the National Safety Survey seminar in Helsinki on Tuesday. According to Mr Soini, Finland’s strategy is not isolation and the government actively seeks to utilise the possibilities offered by international cooperation to improve security. Mr Soini also referred to the refugee crisis, stating that Finland will take care of its responsibilities as part of the international community but that the country’s possibilities to offer asylum are limited. According to the Minister, Finland is not only morally obligated to give development aid and act as peace keepers and conflict solvers in crisis areas but it also benefits from these actions in the long term.