Summary:

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates in Aamulehti that the personnel of the European Union will face cooperation negotiations in the next few years after the UK stops paying for its EU membership. « Other countries will not pay for the UK’s payments, » he points out. Once the UK leaves, the EU needs to cut its budget and lay off staff, the Minister estimates. Another issue is the use of money in the EU. Minister Soini thinks that the Union needs major reforms if it wants to remain. « It means less and better EU. » He does not support deeper integration. What comes to Finland’s EU exit referendum, Minister Soini has not decided his opinion yet, but he says that this government will not organise a vote on it.

Media:  Aamulehti + liitteet (E-edition, PDF) 

Date: 30.6.2016

Journalist: Riikka Happonen

Main source: Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini