Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini thinks that the European Union must reconsider the use of cohesion funds if member states decline to take their share of internal asylum seeker transfers. Finland’s position in the question is clear, Mr Soini told STT. The subsidies should be cut from countries that close their borders from internal transfers.
Media: 
Turun Sanomat
Date: 23.10.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Summary:
STT reports on the carbon sink decision made by EU environment ministers. The Finnish Forest Industries thinks the decision is not very good or balanced and places the member states in unequal positions. The organisation assesses that the previous decision by the European Parliament made much more sense. According to the Parliament’s decision, the use of wood can be increased if wood assets keep growing. The negotiations will continue between the European Commission, the member states, and the Parliament. The negotiations are expected to be difficult.
Media: Turun Sanomat
Date: 14.10.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: Finnish Forest Industries
Summary:
Verkkouutiset writes that the interview of Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö by the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza has been published on the Euractiv news site. In the interview, Niinistö said that he was able to find a common language with both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Niinistö also rejected the claims that Russia is trying to split Finland from rest of the EU. Niinistö said that Finland has suffered the most from the sanctions against Russia, yet Finland stands steadfast behind the sanctions. Niinistö also said that the EU needs a more unified common foreign and security policy.
Summary:
Aamulehti reports that during the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini raised the topic of the Finnish journalist convicted in Turkey as an example of the worrying state of freedom of speech in Turkey. Minister Soini said the discussion over Turkey was very critical but opinions were quite divided. Many countries still want to continue membership negotiations with Turkey, also Finland. « International politics are complicated, » Mr Soini said. Finland will see the journalist’s judicial process through before making any moves.
Media: Aamulehti (E-edition, PDF) 
Date: 17.10.2017
Journalist: Anniina Luotonen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Summary:
TVO informed that regular electricity production of the OL3 will be delayed once again. The equipment supplier, nuclear power company Areva informed TVO about an timetable update, and electricity production should commence in May 2019. Jouni Silvennoinen, Director, OL3 project, TVO, said that TVO is very disappointed with the delay and said that all necessary resources must be directed towards the project, adding that any French reorganizing of nuclear power must not endanger this. TVO has filed a complaint with the European Court over the European Commission decision that approved French government subsidies for Areva.
Summary:
The export of goods grew in Finland in August. The growth in car export was strong, while in machines and devices, forest industry products and metals the growth was slower. The value of goods export was slightly over EUR 4.7 billion in August, up 18% from a year earlier. Import was valued at EUR 4.9 billion, rising 9% from 2016. Still, there was EUR 150 million deficit in trade balance in August, and EUR 1.4 billion in January-August.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 9.10.2017
Journalist: Heikki Arola
Main source: –
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini is concerned over the freedom of journalists’ work and freedom of expression in Turkey. According to Minister Soini, Finland has conveyed a message about journalism’s problematic situation in Turkey to the country’s leaders and it must be reiterated. He adds that the Ministry is taking the convicted Finnish journalist’s situation in Turkey seriously, and that the Embassy in Ankara is handling the issue.
Media: MTV – Finland
Date: 11.10.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini congratulated the Nobel Peace Prize winner ICAN (Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), but said that Finland would not sign the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty. One of the reasons for this is that the current nuclear weapon states will not ratify the treaty. « It is problematic that these states are not part of the agreement. Without their participation, it is difficult to proceed, » Minister Soini said. Finland has therefore decided to emphasise the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which aims to stop the spreading of nuclear weapons.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 6.10.2017
Journalist: Elina Kervinen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
