Current affairs

On 27 July, EU Foreign Ministers agreed on submitting Iceland's application to the Commission. Sweden which currently holds the EU Presidency believes in rapid negotiations. According to Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, “the first Foreign Ministers’ meeting arranged by Sweden went very well. If a country was chosen to hold the EU presidency permanently, if it wasn’t Finland, it would be Sweden.”

The internal strength and efficiency of the Union is the principal objective of the Finnish EU policy, says Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb. In his presentation at a recent seminar in Helsinki he presented his ten theses to enable the implementation of this objective.

Over the years Martti Ahtisaari has brought peace to conflicts in Africa, Asia and Europe. Now, the former Finnish president's virtue and toil are to be rewarded with the world's most celebrated prize. In early October he was also awarded the UNESCO Peace Prize.

The European Union has decided to implement its civilian crisis mission and to deploy about 200 observers in Georgia. The Foreign Ministers of the Member States confirmed launching of the mission at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council held in Brussels on Monday, 15 September. Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen represented Finland at the meeting.

The European Council, which convened in Brussels on 19 and 20 June, considered the situation after the outcome of the referendum in Ireland. In the referendum held on 12 June, Irish people rejected the Treaty of Lisbon which reforms the European Union’s structures. The EU leaders agreed that more time was needed to analyse the situation and that the European Council will come back to this issue at its meeting of 15 October 2008. The ratification process continues in other countries.

The 2008 Millennium Technology Prize was presented to Professor Robert Langer today in Helsinki for developing innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release. The world’s largest technology prize is awarded by Technology Academy Finland for a technological innovation that significantly improves quality of human life and promotes sustainable development.

Upon presentation by the Government, the President of the Republic of Finland has decided today, 7 March, to recognise the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign State, and has decided on Finland’s readiness to enter into diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kosovo. Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva has today informed Fatmir Sejdiu, President of Kosovo, and Hashim Thaçi, Prime Minister of Kosovo, of the decision in writing.