Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the preliminary agenda for Finland’s EU Presidency
Government Communications Unit
Press release 172/2006
24.5.2006
On 24 May, the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs adopted the preliminary agenda for Finland’s EU Presidency that will begin on 1 July. The agenda specifies the themes and objectives presented in the preliminary draft of the agenda for Finland’s EU Presidency adopted by the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs in November 2005.
Finland believes that public confidence in the European Union can be improved if it can achieve certain concrete objectives in areas where the EU can clearly be more effective that the Member States acting separately. During its Presidency, Finland will concentrate on the challenges now facing Europe, such as globalisation, improving competitiveness, population ageing, management of climate change and security in Europe. In addition, Finland aims to promote the openness of Union action, the efficiency of decision-making and the quality of the Union’s legislation.
Finland is of the opinion that the EU Constitutional Treaty process must be kept going. Simply extending the period of reflection is not enough to move the process on. Furthermore, Finland considers that the possibilities afforded by the existing Treaties must be fully utilised in the development of Union action.
The results achieved during the Austrian EU Presidency and the June 2006 European Council will have an effect on the final agenda and objectives for Finland’s EU Presidency. On 21 June, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will submit to Parliament a Prime Minister’s statement on the priorities of Finland’s EU Presidency.
Preliminary agenda in Finnish: www.valtioneuvosto.fi/eu/suomi-ja-eu/2006/pdf/asialista-arvio-toukokuu/fi.pdf(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).
Further information: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2182 and Helena Tuuri, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, EU Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 1602 2055