Export unions urge Government to keep promise to industries

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Summary:
Finnish export unions urge the Finnish Government to improve the competitiveness and prerequisites of Finnish industries, writes Demokraatti. According to the unions, the Government must keep its promise not to add expenses to the industries during this electoral term. The unions say that the Government must be active in the EU’s energy and climate policy in a way that improves competitiveness. Decisions regarding industries must be predictable and long-term. Timo Jaatinen of the Finnish Forest Industries notes that Brexit and protectionism create threats to industries in Finland.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 10.4.2017
Journalist: Johannes Ijäs
Main source: Timo Jaatinen, Finnish Forest Industries

Soini: Finland strongly condemns Syrian gas attack

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Summary:
Foreign Minister Timo Soini says he is shocked about the Syrian gas attack. According to him, Finland sharply condemns the attack. « It is a war crime. This is one of the saddest days in this job », he said. According to Soini, the UN Security Council’s permanent members now are in charge. They need to put an end to the attacks by increasing the pressure. In his opinion, it is a shame for the international community if things like this can occur.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 6.4.2017
Journalist:
Main source:

Niinistö responded sharply to critics: ”Human rights were a bigger topic than pandas”

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Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö stressed that human rights were discussed more than pandas during the state visit of the Chinese President. Niinistö wondered at a press conference about the criticism over the historic visit of the Chinese President. Many had criticized the fact that pandas played the main role and that Finland did not dare to raise serious human rights issues. According to Niinistö, these claims are wrong.

Media:  Kauppalehti
Date: 6.4.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: Sauli Niinistö/ president

Harsh accusation of tax planning

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Summary:
NGO FinnWatch accuses development finance company Finnfund’s Finnish consulting company Dasos Capital of aggressive tax planning. Finnfund denies the claim and considers Finnwatch’s allegations irresponsible. Both parties were invited to meet with Foreign Trade and Development Minister Kai Mykkänen on Monday for a consultation with the goal « to discuss principles face to face ». Finnwatch Executive Director Sonja Vartiala requires that Finnfund’s owner – the State – must prevent tax evasion related to investments made in the name of development cooperation. She demands an independent investigation by the Foreign Ministry.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 11.4.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: –

Will robots steal our jobs? Artificial intelligence development creates unusual challenge for Finland

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Summary:
Ilta-Sanomat writes that the European Parliament is hoping for legislation on robotics. MEPs Miapetra Kumpula-Natri and Merja Kyllönen, who participated in the preparation of the Parliament’s report, say that heavy or dangerous tasks could be automatised in the health care sector. Ms Kumpula-Natri and Ms Kyllönen believe robotisation can create opportunities for Finns as they are fairly pro-technology on a European scale. Ms Kumpula-Natri notes that the Finnish government wants to be in the frontline when it comes to AI and that suits Finnsh who have good technical capabilities. She suggests that Finnish know-how could be put into action when new innovations are developed in the European internal market, or even outside it, as this would create prosperity and jobs in Finland.

Timo Soini: Sad and shocked about the horrible events in St Petersburg

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Summary:
Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini is shocked and sad about the events in St Petersburg on 3 March and describes them as horrible in a Twitter message posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Soini offers his deepest condolences. At least 10 people are believed to be killed in the explosion in the St Petersburg subway.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 3.4.2017
Journalist: Rane Aunimo
Main source: Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini

Niinistö: Putin and Trump meeting in Finland would be a great

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Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö says it would be great if the Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump could meet in Finland at the Arctic Council summit in May. Mr Putin mentioned he would be willing to meet Mr Trump in Finland at a press conference in Arkangel after a reporter asked about it. Mr Niinistö emphasises that the proposal in itself was nothing new and notes that the meeting could be possible if the situation between the United States and Russia was calm enough and some arctic issues would also be discussed. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin would be excellent news as Finland is this year also celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Chinese and Finnish Presidents praised relations between the countries – “May pandas become messengers”

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Summary:
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö praised the good relations between the countries as they met in Finland on Wednesday. Mr Niinistö said that in international politics, China cooperates with the EU in guaranteeing free trade in the world, for example. During their meeting, the two presidents signed collaboration agreements on e.g. panda protection and co-operation in the justice sector and discussed topical issues related to international affairs, such as the difficult situation between the Koreas, as well as the EU and Russia. Mr Niinistö also diplomatically reminded Mr Xi about China’s history of violating human rights by stating that Finland emphasises improving human rights and rule of law as well as co-operation in the justice system.