Discussion on the UN Summit, management of globalisation and the Council of Europe Summit
Government Information Unit
Press release 145/2005
10 May 2005
On Tuesday, 10 May, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's preparation for the UN Summit that will be held in New York in September, the globalisation report that the Government will submit to Parliament and Finland's participation in the Council of Europe Warsaw Summit on 15 and 16 May and in the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) on 2-27 May.
The UN Summit will focus on the UN Millennium Declaration, review the progress made in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and other objectives defined by the major United Nations conferences and summits. Finland supports the recommendations outlined by the UN Secretary-General in his report In larger freedom. Finland's opinion is that the UN must be reformed in a manner that strengthens its central role in multilateral cooperation.
The Government will submit a report to Parliament on the overall management of globalisation with a view to Finland's political objectives. The report is a continuation of the report prepared by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 2001. The Government considers globalisation as part of Finland's international activities. In order to promote global development in a fair and equal manner emphasis must be placed on eradication of poverty worldwide, international law, rules and provisions governing international activities, multilateral action, coherence between various sectors, promotion of cooperation and participation at global, regional and national level. Finland wants, in particular, contribute to the strengthening of the European Union and United Nations and, at the same time, seek new ways to manage globalisation.
The Council of Europe will hold its third summit in Warsaw on 15 and 16 May 2005. According to Finland, the summit should aim at clarifying the role of the Council of Europe with regard to other central organisations in Europe and establish priorities to the work of the Council of Europe in the near future. The summit is to strengthen "Europe without barriers" as the strategic objective of the Council of Europe. The summit is also to reaffirm that democracy, rule of law and respect of human rights are the common values on the basis of which the Council of Europe will continue to define the priorities of its action.
The Seventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was opened in New York on 2 May and the meeting will continue until 27 May. Finland strongly supports the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its maintenance as the cornerstone of international security and stability. The common position of the EU at the conference takes into account the important objectives of upholding the integrity of the Treaty, improving its implementation and extending its scope of application to the whole world. It is also of utmost importance that all parties fully comply with the provisions of the Treaty. In order to achieve durable results, it is necessary to maintain balance between the three pillars of the Treaty - prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, nuclear disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear power.
Further information: Folke Sundman, Special Adviser, tel. +358 9 160 55016, Satu Mäki, Special Adviser, tel. +358 9 160 56306, Hannu Kyröläinen, Director General, tel. +358 9 160 55036, Pia Rantala, Head of Unit, tel. +358 9 160 55281, Johanna Suurpää, tel. +358 9 160 56551, and Laura Kansikas-Debraise, tel. +358 9 160 56185.