Foreign Trade Minister Sasi: Finland satisfied with preparations for Stockholm summit

"Finland is satisfied with the preparations of the Stockholm summit next weekend", said Foreign Trade Minister Kimmo Sasi at the EU's General Affairs Council in Brussels on 19 March. The European Council will be held on 23-24 March.

"The main topic in Stockholm will be the employment and competition strategy adopted at the Lisbon summit, i.e. sustainable public economy in an ageing Europe, liberalisation of markets particularly in the electricity, gas and postal fields, and guaranteeing European leadership in wireless communication", said Sasi.

EU members will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Stockholm. According to Minister Sasi, Finnish interest in the meeting, focusing on economic relations, will be mainly on the tenability of trade and cooperation treaties and on the launch of energy dialogue.

The situation in Macedonia dominated the General Affairs Council session on 19 March. Macedonian Foreign Minister Kerim provided a review of the situation. He said Albanian guerillas represent only a small radical group. Safeguarding Macedonia's borders and sovereignty was considered vitally important in order to prevent the escalation of violence in the region.

The General Affairs Council discussed also the situations in the Western Balkans and in the Middle East, civil crisis management, human rights and transparency.

EU's Council of Ministers/Council/General Affairs(Link to another website.)