Summary:

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen suggests implementing a coal tax. According to Mr Mykkänen, the tax woul provide investments in emission-free energy production without resorting to subsidies for renewable energy. Finland should implement the tax in collaboration with other Nordic countries, especially Sweden. Mr Mykkänen says it is possible that the Finnish energy strategy will conclude that there is a need for a, preferably, Nordic system for directing energy investments through emission prices. According to the minister, it is uncertain whether the measures proposed by the EU Commission will be enough for the price of emmission allowances to rise above 20 euro which is concidered the price level that will begin to direct investments.

Summary:

Finland is not negotiating to renew the temporary border agreement with Russia. The agreement was negotiated after 1713 refugees came to the Eastern border from November to February. Professor Markku Kivinen from Helsinki University is surprised that a new deal is not negotiated. He finds that the deal has helped to keep the EU’s northernmost border well. Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Pertti Salolainen finds that renewing the deal would be timely.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat

Date: 7.9.2016

Journalist: Ossi Mansikka

Main source: Professor Markku Kivinen / Helsinki University, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Pertti Salolainen

Summary:

Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo said at the Coalition Party conference that Finns extensively support EU’s deeper security and defence policy. According to him, Finland must stay in the front line of deeper defence collaboration. Mr Orpo added that Turkey has quickly become one of the EU’s central challenges. He would hold on to the refugee agreement but also to human rights and rule of law. He also commented on the upcoming budget negotiations, saying that the government’s employment package is the most important issue. His Party is ready to consider all options that enable the creation of new private sector jobs in Finland. « The flexibility of the labour market must still be improved, and accepting employment must be made profitable even in low-paid jobs. »

Summary:

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Kimmo Tiilikainen (Centre) is concerned over the agony of Finnish agriculture. He says these are the worst times for Finnish agriculture during Finland’s EU membership. Next week, the Finnish government decides on a crisis package for agriculture, but the Minister does not want to evaluate sums yet. In addition to domestic issues, Finnish agriculture suffers from global overproduction, the imbalance of EU markets, as well as sanctions between the EU and Russia.

Media:  Aamulehti 

Date: 24.8.2016

Journalist: Mirja Niemitalo

Main source: Minister Kimmo Tiilikainen