According to the French newspaper Les Echos, the negotiations between Areva and Teollisuuden Voima concerning Olkiluoto 3 are advancing in good spirit. The paper writes that it is unclear whether there will be any results before Areva publishes its financial statements on Thursday. TVO did not want to comment on the information. The French EDF is buying Areva’s reactor business but it does not want OL3. TVO is concerned what will happen to the Olkiluoto project if it is separated from the plan. According to Les Echos, Areva is seeking an overall solution to the situation with TVO. The OL3 project is ten years late and it has caused nearly EUR 5 billion losses to Areva.
President Niinistö: Drills with US do not affect Finland’s NATO policy
President Sauli Niinistö decided to bring clarity to the blurred discussion regarding military drills with the US on Wednesday. He said that the drills to be held this spring are technical and related to military skills, which develop Finland’s ability to defend the country. According to President Niinistö, they play no part in Finland’s view on NATO operations or Finland’s foreign policy. Finland’s security policy position is determined in so called Crisis Management Exercises, in which NATO partners’ position in relation to NATO is determined. « As NATO partner, we secure Finland’s territorial integrity. It is and will be the political content of Finland’s military drills », he added.
President Niinistö: Refugee situation nearly chaotic
According to Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö, the refugee situation in Europe is as bad as it looked at the beginning of the year, Maaseudun Tulevaisuus writes. « The almost chaotic situation in Southern and Central Europe has led to each country introducing their own measures, which might not be in line with international agreements, » he said. Turkey and Germany have suggested that NATO would help in the crisis. President Niinistö thinks it could be the most effective solution but its compatibility with international agreements will be discussed.
Media: Maaseudun Tulevaisuus
Date: 24.2.2016
Journalist: Riitta Ryynänen
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö
Caruna’s fee hikes could launch Finland’s first class action
The electricity network company Caruna has announced major hikes to electricity transfer fees and Finland’s consumer authorities are now seriously contemplating a class action against Caruna if they cannot agree on a solution in negotiations with the company. Both consumers and politicians have been annoyed by the hikes, which can be up to 50%, and they have contacted consumer authorities. Caruna justifies the move by investments in the electricity network, and because of the monopoly position, customers cannot change the service provider.
Media: YLE Uutiset
Date: 8.2.2016
Journalist: Sanna Vilkman
Main source: –
Ministerial Committee against EU’s deposit guarantee scheme
Finland’s Ministerial Committee on EU affairs does not support EU’s joint deposit guarantee scheme in the current form. The European Commission made a proposal on the issue in November, Helsingin Sanomat writes. Finland has objected to the idea right from the beginning, similarly to Germany. The joint system would strengthen the EU bank system as a whole but it could increase the bank sector risks in countries which have taken care of their duties. The Federation of Finnish Financial Services has strongly objected to the system; it does not want to increase European joint liability.
Sipilä: Finland could introduce a bigger refugee quota
Finland’s Prime Minister Juha Sipilä says that the uncontrollable refugee crisis must be taken under control and European borders must be fixed. This year, Finland receives 600 Syrians from Turkish refugee camps. PM Sipilä also suggests Finland could increase its refugee quota temporarily, Helsingin Sanomat writes. According to PM Sipilä, this could be done once the uncontrollable wave of refugees is under control and Schengen’s outer borders are functioning as they should. Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo agrees with PM Sipilä. He says that if the situation improves, all European countries must increase their quotas, Finland among them.
Minister Soini on President’s speech: Justified concern
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini thinks that President Sauli Niinistö’s speech at the Finnish Parliament’s opening ceremony reflected his concern for the international situation. What comes to international agreements, Mr Soini believes President Niinistö respects them. « He is concerned over the Dublin agreement and the EU’s systems. His concern is justified, because there are countries which have not been able to follow the EU’s regulations, » he adds. Minister Soini emphasises that extensive EU collaboration is needed to solve the refugee crisis. The external borders must be fixed, he says.
Media: MTV – Finland
Date: 5.2.2016
Journalist: STT
President Niinistö clarifies speech at YLE
President Saul Niinistö has explained his speech about the refugee crisis at YLE. He did not mean that Finland would be breaching international refugee agreements. The President said he was concerned over the fact that many European countries are talking about diverse means to reduce the number of migrants, but nobody directly says if these measures are in line with international agreements. According to President Niinistö, the EU’s external borders should be fixed and people should be helped safely to the EU. Help should also be offered in their countries of origin.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 5.2.2016
Journalist: Suvi Vihavainen