Auteur/autrice : David

Orpo: Even if Turkey deal were to collapse, number of migrants not expected to be huge

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Summary:

Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo said at the Coalition Party conference that Finns extensively support EU’s deeper security and defence policy. According to him, Finland must stay in the front line of deeper defence collaboration. Mr Orpo added that Turkey has quickly become one of the EU’s central challenges. He would hold on to the refugee agreement but also to human rights and rule of law. He also commented on the upcoming budget negotiations, saying that the government’s employment package is the most important issue. His Party is ready to consider all options that enable the creation of new private sector jobs in Finland. « The flexibility of the labour market must still be improved, and accepting employment must be made profitable even in low-paid jobs. »

Minister Tiilikainen: Agriculture facing the worst crisis during Finland’s EU membership

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Summary:

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Kimmo Tiilikainen (Centre) is concerned over the agony of Finnish agriculture. He says these are the worst times for Finnish agriculture during Finland’s EU membership. Next week, the Finnish government decides on a crisis package for agriculture, but the Minister does not want to evaluate sums yet. In addition to domestic issues, Finnish agriculture suffers from global overproduction, the imbalance of EU markets, as well as sanctions between the EU and Russia.

Media:  Aamulehti 

Date: 24.8.2016

Journalist: Mirja Niemitalo

Main source: Minister Kimmo Tiilikainen

Foreign Minister Soini at the Annual Meeting of Finnish Heads of Missions: « I do not hope for EU’s demise »

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Summary:

Ilta-Sanomat reports on Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini’s speech at the Annual Meeting of Finnish Heads of Missions. According to Mr Soini, he does not believe in deepening integration nor does he hope for EU’s demise. Regarding Russia, he said that Finland must not turn its back on Russia. There are still no alternatives for implementing the Minsk Agreement. He says that Finland is not planning to apply for Nato membership, but keeping the option open improves the Finnish security.

Media:  Ilta-Sanomat

Date: 22.8.2016

Journalist: Mika Lehto

Main source: Foreign Minister Timo Soini

Mykkänen does not consider lifting Russia’s sanctions an option

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Summary:

Minister for Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen does not see signs of improvement in the Ukraine crisis. « Russia thinks geopolitics is now more important than economic stability, » he says. The Minister does not consider lifting sanctions an option. Still, he urges Finnish companies to aim for the Russian markets. « 95% of our exports are not affected by the sanctions, » Mr Mykkänen points out. This autumn, Minister Mykkänen is restarting the Finnish-Russian economic commission for the first time in three years.

Media:  MTV – Finland

Date: 20.8.2016

Journalist: –

Main source: Minister for Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen

President Niinistö strongly criticised the EU: « Deadlocked in many ways »

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Summary:

Helsingin Sanomat reports that the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö strongly criticised the state of the European Union in his speech at the Annual Meeting of Finnish Heads of Missions. He said that the EU’s problem is mostly political as decision-making and implementation were both ineffective. There is room for improvement, he finds. President Niinistö added that the Union should also be able to outcome difficult times. Moreover, he pointed that the lack of trust in European leaders is a genuine risk if it continued to grow. Mr Niinistö said that the EU should focus on the basics and take care of the citizens’ daily lives and security. Foreign Minister Timo Soini agreed with President Niinistö’s criticism.

Soini believes that EU officials will be laid off

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Summary:

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates in Aamulehti that the personnel of the European Union will face cooperation negotiations in the next few years after the UK stops paying for its EU membership. « Other countries will not pay for the UK’s payments, » he points out. Once the UK leaves, the EU needs to cut its budget and lay off staff, the Minister estimates. Another issue is the use of money in the EU. Minister Soini thinks that the Union needs major reforms if it wants to remain. « It means less and better EU. » He does not support deeper integration. What comes to Finland’s EU exit referendum, Minister Soini has not decided his opinion yet, but he says that this government will not organise a vote on it.

Soini defends his criticised visit to the UK: ‘Completely normal’

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Summary:

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini comments on his visit to the UK. It has been widely criticised. According to him, other ministers have met their interest groups around the world and it is completely normal. Mr Soini states that he has done nothing that should be criticised. He is happy that Finland and the Finns party has such an excellent relationship with the UK. The fuss started after Mr Soini announced that he will visit the UK and meet both representatives of the Brexit and Bremain camps.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat

Date: 1.7.2016

Journalist: Jaana Savolainen, Juho-Pekka Pekonen

Nordic regulation authorities hope for flexibility in communications sector EU regulation

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Summary:

The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority says the EU’s current telecommunications regulation is not able to respond to the communication sector’s new and future challenges, writes Verkkouutiset. The European Commission is currently preparing a regulation package aimed at digital internal markets. Nordic regulatory authorities have formed a joint opinion on the major issues. Ensuring the availability of fast-speed broadband for citizens is important, but the goals will not be met by adding regulation. The regulation burden of established actors should be made lighter. This would support the emergence of innovations and new business models.

Media:  Verkkouutiset

Date: 6.7.2016