Catégorie : Presse Finlandaise

Niinistö and Icelandic President praised relations of the two countries – ’We brought you Icelandic weather as sign of collaboration’

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Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö and the Icelandic President Gudni Johannesson discussed Arctic areas and Russia, among other topics, on Wednesday. Finland just started as the chair of the Arctic Council and Iceland will follow in 2019. President Niinistö states that it is a challenge to find the balance between the economic interests and environmental protection when it comes to the region. He also mentions tensions around the Baltic Sea and adds that NATO will bring stability to the area.

Media: Ilkka
Date: 31.5.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

« Finland tries to water down parts of EU’s climate policy »

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Summary:
According to environmental organizations, Finland is trying to dilute the European Commission’s proposal for forestry is to be taken account in climate policy, Hufvudstadsbladet writes. The Finnish government plans to increase the harvesting of wood significantly, with most of the increase going to short-lived products that release carbon quickly. Minister of Environment and Energy Kimmo Tiilikainen says that increasing harvesting is good, as forest growth also increases. However, European scientist believe that short-term emissions will increase while long-term effects are unclear. According to Brussels-based environmental organization Fem, Sweden, France and Austria support Finland in trying to dilute the Commission’s proposal. Countries that profile themselves as pioneers in climate policy are quietly working in the opposite direction than the LULUCF.

Running for a second term, Niinistö on Merkel’s statement: “If it is correctly cited, it is a strong statement”

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Summary:
Demokraatti reports that President Sauli Niinistö announced today he will run for a second term. He noted in his statement that his cooperation with the Government has worked well in European policy. He outlined recent developments in foreign policy and remarked that European thinking has been shaken last week. The EU got a serious wake-up call on how much the Union or the member states must take responsibility for protecting Europe. Security is a primary concern for all unions, states, and alliances. The EU is now clearly headed towards strengthening common foreign, security, and defence policy, Mr Niinistö noted.

Editorial: Co-operation to fight terrorism

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Summary:
Turun Sanomat writes in an editorial about the importance of co-operation between European countries to fight terrorism. The EU is planning to increase co-operation in the field of security. Britain has long experience with decades of terrorist attacks by the Irish IRA.

Media:  Turun Sanomat
Date: 24.5.2017
Journalist: not available
Main source: n/a

Column: Renaissance of trade policy

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Summary:
Upi Talsi writes in a Turun Sanomat column that free trade and trade limitations have recently made the headlines, and the renaissance of trade policy began with the TTIP negotiations. Now, it is said the negotiations have « entered the ice age » along with President Trump. The free-trade agreement between EU and Canada, CETA, was signed in autumn 2016, while the free trade agreement between EU and South Korea took effect in 2011. According to Mr Talsi, since then EU’s exports to South Korea have doubled. He points out that free trade agreements benefit Finland.

Kai Mykkänen’s dryish greetings to Sampo Terho: We are permanently part of Europe

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Summary:
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen rejects Minister of European Affairs Sampo Terho’s idea of holding an EU referendum in Finland. Mr Terho argued that his generation did not have a chance to vote on the matter. Mr Mykkänen noted that we cannot have every generation voting for EU membership – Finland is permanently part of Europe. Mr Mykkänen says he hopes that ministerial-level office-holders did not speak like this. Mr Mykkänen regrets that a more positive attitude towards integration has not spread to Finland.

Media:  Verkkouutiset / Nykypäivä
Date: 17.5.2017
Journalist: Alberto Claramunt
Main source: Kai Mykkänen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development

Minister for Foreign Trade Mykkänen: « Supply of skilled workforce concern among foreign investors »

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Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Kai Mykkänen estimates that the fear of a lack of skilled workforce is slowing down foreign businesses’ investments in Finland. Mr Mykkänen believes Finland should invest in increasing engineer training and marketing know-how in order to get international businesses interested in the country.

Media:  YLE Uutiset
Date: 16.5.2017
Journalist: Carolus Manninen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Kai Mykkänen

« The system grinds slowly » – Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini hurried up EU member state defence decisions

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Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affair Timo Soini hurried up decision about defence cooperation at the meeting of EU foreign ministers on 15 May. Mr Soini says he did this because taking care of security also requires structures. According to Mr Soini, Finland has made it very clear that it wants to advance in defence cooperation.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 15.5.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affair Timo Soini