The Helsinki Process consultative network began its meeting in Helsinki

Press release 174/2006
6 June, 2006


The meeting of the consultative network of the Helsinki Process began today in Helsinki, chaired by the Finnish and Tanzanian foreign ministers. Foreign ministers Erkki Tuomioja and Asha-Rose Mtengeti Migiro outlined the Helsinki Process since the Helsinki Conference in September 2005. The discussions focused on events in the coming months, including the round table meetings in Jordania, Brazil and Malaysia.

In his opening statement Foreign Minister Tuomioja raised the issue of replacing the already abandoned proposal on the Multilateral Agreement on the Investment with a new multilateral agreement regulating international investments. An agreement which would cater for the needs of all parties in a fair manner would serve the interests of the weak developing nations in particular. Tuomioja proposed for consideration that the Helsinki Process would support this objective by, for example, outlining the minimum requirements for the contents of the agreement as well as the political margins in talks with all the parties.

The first theme of the day focused on the opportunities of the newly established UN Human Rights Council to promote human rights. The keynote speaker was Thomas Hammarberg, High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. The other main theme was the role of employment and economic growth in reducing poverty. The keynote speaker was Robert Vos, Director at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the UN.

The meeting will continue in the annex building of Parliament on 7 June when the network will discuss the climate change and the growing need for energy.

Further information: Folke Sundman, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 9 1605 5016, +358 40 569 6630, [email protected]