The European Council to discuss globalisation and the group of wise men

Government Communications Unit

Press release 373/2007
5.12.2007

On Wednesday, 5 December, the Government announced Finland's representation at the Brussels European Council which will take place on 14 December. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, assisted by Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva and Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors, will attend the European Council. The President of the Republic, Tarja Halonen, will attend the meeting when it is dealing with matters within her purview.

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva will represent Finland at the signing ceremony of the Lisbon Treaty in Lisbon on 13 December.

The main themes of the European Council will be immigration, preparations for the next three-year period of the Lisbon Strategy and energy and climate policy in the context of which discussion will focus on the Bali climate conference which started on 3 December. Maritime policy and sustainable development will also be on the agenda. In addition, the European Council is to issue a declaration on globalisation.

The European Council will also discuss the initiative, put forward by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to set up a group of wise men to discuss the future of the European Union. Other key topics include follow-up to the EU-Africa Summit and the situation in Kosovo.

Further information: Jari Luoto, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2180 and Veera Parko, Adviser, EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2150, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs