Current affairs
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27.11.2009
Olli Rehn becomes EU’s Economic Commissioner
President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso has named Doctor Olli Rehn as the next EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs. -
5.11.2009
Finnish Government grants consent for Nord Stream’s offshore gas pipeline project
On 5 November 2009, the Government granted consent for Nord Stream AG’s plan to construct an offshore natural gas pipeline system that would traverse the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream will act as the operator of the natural gas pipeline system, which involves two parallel pipelines. -
9.9.2009
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28.7.2009
EU put forward Iceland’s membership application
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.” -
13.7.2009
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27.2.2009
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23.2.2009
Foreign Minister Stubb’s Ten Theses on Europe
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. -
13.10.2008
Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari wins Nobel Peace Prize
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. -
18.9.2008
The EU to send 200 observers to Georgia
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. -
26.6.2008
The European Council discussed the Treaty of Lisbon and the rising prices of food and oil
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.