Summary:
Brexit is complicating the planning of the EU’s future budgets, writes Helsingin Sanomat. The Finnish Government is assuming an absolute position in the budget negotiations. Minister of European Affairs Sampo Terho (Blue) maintains that if the Union becomes smaller, the budget must also shrink. MEP Petri Sarvamaa (EPP), First Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee, is very disappointed in the Government’s position, saying it is incomprehensible and ignorant. He says Finland’s position reflects an old-fashioned zero-sum game attitude although Brexit would allow for reforming the Union’s stiff budget framework and seek European solutions that would benefit Finland, too.
Timo Soini’s historical praise made a Member of Parliament ask: ‘Timo Soini! Are you at all ashamed?’
Summary:
Demokraatti writes that Foreign Minister of Finland Timo Soini sees the EU’s new defense cooperation as a historical event and the best thing Finland can get from the EU. The new cooperation agreement was signed by 23 states. The contract reminds Finland that the EU member states agree to help each other in trouble. Soini finds that the contract shows the erroneous nature of criticism of the government’s EU policy being passive. Not everyone agrees with Soini, however, and Member of Parliament from the Left Alliance Markus Mustajärvi commented his words critically.
Media: 
Demokraatti.fi
Date: 14.11.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: –
Finland elected in Unesco’s executive board
Summary:
Finland has been elected in Unesco’s executive board, which has a total of 58 members. Finland’s term in the board continues until 2021. Minister of Education Sanni Grahn-Laasonen found that the result was a recognition to Finland’s strong knowhow in educational and world heritage issues. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini was also satisfied. According to Mr Soini, Finland now has a good seat in an organisation which carries out important work to prevent radicalisation.
Media: Karjalainen
Date: 9.11.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: –
Minister of Finance Orpo: EU is combating tax evasion in every possible way
Summary:
Talouselämä writes that Finland’s Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo assures that EU is doing all it can to root out tax evasion. He says that several tax proposals aiming to eradicate tax evasions are under work in the EU. There are several proposals being processed in the EU which are aimed to block aggressive tax planning measures and remove loopholes in taxation. Finland is not excited by a separate European solution, and Orpo stressed importance of global cooperation. EU Ministers of Finance will discuss financial supervision today. Finland is opposed to almost all measures proposed by the Commission.
Mykkänen on Finnfund: Update on tax policy
Summary:
According to the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, they are currently updating the tax policy for the Finnish development fund Finnfund. Yle reported on Monday that Finnfund’s funds have circulated through the Cayman Islands, known as a tax haven. Mr Mykkänen said that Finnfund can no longer use structures, which imply aggressive tax planning. As a rule, Finnfund is steered towards direct investments in the target countries, but when there is no other way to get partner investors, they can use a controlled organisation in another country, but it cannot avoid taxes.
President Niinistö believes in practical collaboration: black carbon could be a suitable topic
Summary:
In connection with the visit of the US Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö brought up practical deeds in easing tension between countries. He asked whether now would be a good time to build understanding within concrete civil issues as times are restless. As an example, he mentioned black carbon emissions: there is wide accord on their reduction. « I have been satisfied with the reception of the idea both in Moscow and Washington, » he said. The President added that he believes that practical everyday collaboration could lead to greater results than collaborating in projects.
Editorial: Storm approaching the bank sector
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat writes in its editorial that the market leaders of money sales, i.e. banks, face tough cost competition from new and agile competitors. Now that the economic trend has taken a turn, European banks announce staff reductions. It is not just about making better profits through savings, but mainly it is about the entire financing business’ giant turning point due to changes in paying and competitive landscape. However bad it feels, the change will take place, whether you want it or not. The worst alternative is not to be prepared.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 27.10.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: –
Summary:
Chairman Juha Marttila of MTK, says that EU needs more information on Nordic forestry. Common EU forest policy could contribute to this, or increase regulations. Until now, MTK and Finland have not wanted EU to have a common forest policy, but now EU seems to bring regulations to forestry through climate policy, Mr Marttila says. The problem is that decisions, which also affect forests, are prepared without forest experts. EU’s institutions do not know the sustainable forestry of Nordic countries. Mr Marttila particularly hopes that the EU would understand the significance of sustainable logging, Maaseudun Tulevaisuus reports.