Current affairs

The heads of state or government of the EU member states discussed in their informal meeting on 30 January measures to enhance economic growth and competitiveness. They also finalised the Treaty on stability, coordination and governance in the Economic and Monetary Union and the Treaty establishing the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). Finland was represented by Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen.

At their meeting on Thursday, the EU Foreign Ministers reached agreement on progress towards a more efficient Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Britain abandoned its previous opposing stand, and the Foreign Ministers were able to endorse conclusions on the CSDP. “The solution wasn’t found yesterday evening, or last night, but in the morning we reached agreement,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja to Finnish correspondents in Brussels.

Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb gave a speech at the College of Europe in Bruges today, on 17 November. In his speech, Minister Stubb focused on the future of the European Union and the euro area.

The first annual national Ahtisaari Day highlights Finland’s role in international peace mediation.

According to Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, concerns over the Iranian nuclear programme have increased with the IAEA report. Any ideas about a potential unilateral military strike against Iran are inacceptable. “The consequences of a military strike could be regionally and globally destructive,” Tuomioja underscored at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday 14 November.

The EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council discussed on 22 September the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. In practice, the accession would mean that internal border checks be lifted at the borders between Bulgaria and Romania and the other EU countries. ‘Finland considers that it is yet too early to make a decision on the accession of these two states to the Schengen area,’ said Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen at the JHA meeting.

Three Helsinki-based Nordic funds are financing green projects at home and abroad to address environmental problems including climate change and Baltic Sea pollution.

Almost 40 candidates have been nominated for the 2012 Millennium Technology Prize. “The level of technological achievement in the nominations received is high, with innovations from a broader range of technology sectors than in previous years,” says Ainomaija Haarla, President and CEO of Technology Academy Finland. ”Robust knowledge of both basic science and technological applications was very apparent.”

Finns’ attitudes concerning development cooperation have become more positive than before. Almost one in four would increase appropriations for development cooperation.

The new Government announced it will pursue an active, initiative-taking foreign policy, in cooperation with the President. Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen emphasised that his Government’s policy on Europe is positive but also determined and realistic.