European Council meeting in Brussels on 15 and 16 December

Government Communications Unit

Press release 369/2005
8 December 2005




On Thursday, 8 December 2005, the Government announced Finland's representation at the Brussels European Council that will take place on 15 and 16 December. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, accompanied by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, will attend the European Council meeting. The President of the Republic, Tarja Halonen, will attend the European Council when the meeting is dealing with matters within her purview.

The main theme of the European Council is the aim of reaching a political agreement with regard to the EU's Financial Perspectives 2007-2013. In order to find a satisfying overall solution, the European Council meeting will be preceded by bilateral talks between the Presidency and Member States and a meeting of the ministerial conclave on the Financial Perspective.

The President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso and High Representative Javier Solana will present the December European Council with interim reports on the follow up to the informal meeting of Heads of State and Government at Hampton Court in October.

The meeting agenda also includes the Africa Strategy, immigration, fight against terrorism, sustainable development, climate change, the Lisbon Strategy, better regulation and key external relations affairs. The European Council will also receive for information the interim report prepared by the UK and Austria on the national level debate held in the Member States during the reflection period with regard to the Constitutional Treaty.

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