European Council in Brussels on 22 and 23 March

Government Information Unit

Press release 89/2005
17 March 2005




On Thursday, 17 March, the Government announced Finland's representation at the Brussels European Council that will take place on 22 and 23 March. The European Council will be attended by Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, accompanied by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja. Minister of Finance Antti Kalliomäki will also be present at the meeting during its discussion of Economic and Monetary Union matters.

The main themes of the European Council will be agreement on the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact and the Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy launched in 2000. The aim of the Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy is to accelerate the implementation of the strategy and refocus its core objectives. The European Council will also discuss sustainable development and climate change.

The EU's General Affairs Council is responsible for the preparation of the European Council and the conclusions to be adopted at the meeting, although preparations for the meeting have also been made in a number of different Councils which have made their own proposals to the European Council. Preparation of the matters for discussion at the European Council will continue at an extraordinary meeting of the euro-group and the enlarged euro-group on Sunday 20 March.

Further information: Antti Peltomäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2180, and Laura Aho, Adviser, EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2150, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs