Summary:
The Finnish state aims to employ 2,500 immigrants within three years with the help of private investors. If the immigrants are employed, the investors will get their investment back and receive a profit for the investment. The project is supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments by 10 million euros. Vice-President of the European Commission Jyrki Katainen noted in a press event on Friday that the Fund has reserved altogether 150 million euros for these types of societal projects. This is a very unique project in Europe, and the whole EU is closely following it, he said.
Catégorie : Presse Finlandaise
Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini condemns London terror attacks: Brutal act against innocent people
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini strongly condemns the terror attacks in London on 3 June which he describes as an attack on the European way of life. He emphasises that terrorists will never win. There have been several terror attacks in Britain in recent times. Mr Soini estimates that Britain might have become a target for terrorists because it is a strong democracy and an active player on an international level.
Media: YLE Uutiset
Date: 4.6.2017
Journalist: Pekka Pantsu
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
’Miracle’ happened: Finland’s economy growing faster than Sweden’s
Summary:
Economists celebrated the Statistics Finland’s latest figures regarding the Finnish economy on Thursday. GDP reached 2.7 per cent in the first quarter of the year when compared to Q1 in 2016. The figure was 1.2 per cent when compared to Q4 in 2016. Aki Kangasharju, chief economist at Nordea, tweeted that we have seen the miracle of the Finnish economy growing faster than the Swedish one now. Torbjörn Isaksson, chief analyst at Nordea Markets Sweden, also commented on the subject on Twitter. He was happy about the Finnish economy finally growing and mentioned that the gap between the two countries is not increasing any more. Pasi Sorjonen, chief analyst at Nordea Finland, tweeted back to Mr Isaksson that the gap is something many would like to forget.
Combining parliamentary and EU elections in Finland probably not going to succeed – three parties are opposed to the idea
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat writes that combining the national parliamentary and EU parliamentary elections in Finland will probably not succeed, because the working group consisting of the Party Secretaries of Finnish parliamentary parties could not reach agreement regarding combining the two elections in 2019. A majority of Party Secretaries supported combining the two elections if the European Parliament elections are held in May at the latest. However, the Social Democratic Party, the Swedish People’s Party and the Christian Democrats were opposed to the idea. Consequently, the working group handed the issue over for the Minister for Justice Antti Häkkänen to consider.
Soini’s wish about climate deal: « If Trump would happen to realise that it’s a good deal » – Sipilä hopes for China to be EU’s friend
Summary:
Worries about the US breaking away from the Paris Agreement have raised concerns in the Finnish Parliament. Prime Minister Juha Sipilä said that it is very unfortunate if the US were to withdraw, but in that case the EU must take the lead, Nordic countries must do their part and China must be a partner. Sipilä believes that the EU and China can show leadership and perhaps even turn the US around. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini said that implementing the Paris Agreement will be one of Finland’s most important goals when it chairs the Arctic Council. He noted that the US might still change its mind if President Donald Trump realised the business opportunities related to environmental cooperation in the Arctic.
Harsh assessment from professors on 2-year-old Sipilä Government: “Quite poor performance if own promises are not kept”
Summary:
Three professors of Political Science and Economics assess the first two years of the Sipilä Government in Ilta-Sanomat. In economic policy and competitiveness, the decisions have been in the right direction. In education, the Government has not kept its promises. In EU policy, Prime Minister Sipilä has been fairly silent, and Finland’s line in foreign and security policy remains unclear. Domestic policy has taken precedence, although Foreign Minister Timo Soini has done a good job.
Media: Ilta-Sanomat
Date: 29.5.2017
Journalist: Outi Kokko
Main source: n/a
Minister Mykkänen: Russia’s acute bankruptcy cancelled
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Kai Mykkänen participated in St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2017 and commented on the Russian President’s speech. According to Minister Mykkänen, the country’s acute bankruptcy has been cancelled. He says that Russia might focus more on the economy in the next couple of years and this could mean calmer times when it comes to foreign policy. Minister Mykkänen estimates that the country will probably not reach its goal to exceed the average of global economic growth.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 2.6.2017
Journalist: Pekka Hakala
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Kai Mykkänen
Soini: Language of the US ‘too harsh’, but foreign policy branded by continuity
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini commented on the US foreign and security policy on Wednesday. According to him, the language is harsh, even too harsh from diplomacy’s point of view. Minister Soini estimates that there will be changes in the UN and development funding and it will be a notable challenge. He also emphasises the collaboration between Finland and Sweden.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 31.5.2017
Journalist: Eeva Palojärvi
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini