Tag: Finland

Regional co-operation around the Baltic has helped spur trade growth, but more co-operation is needed, especially with Russia, if the region is to avoid the sea from becoming over-fished and polluted, argue two foreign ministers.

Finland has a business culture that helps start-up companies in the tech sector, says the chief operating officer of Rovio, the makers of Angry Birds. He fears, however, that European regulation could create problems in the future.

The UN Broadband Commission for digital development has set four targets related to accessibility, affordability and getting online in order to reach the UN Millennium Development Goals. Among these, universal access to broadband seems to be manageable, but affordability is and will continue to be the bigger problem, says Suvi Lindén.

The eurozone will slip into recession and won't grow until 2013, according a poll of economists who also don't expect any new aggressive policy response from the European Central Bank.

The Eurogroup today (20 July) announced it would grant a bailout of up to €100 billion to Spain to help the country recapitalise its banks, following a telephone conference call during which finance ministers gave their backing to the rescue plan.

US Secretary of state Hilary Clinton continues to visit states that pose security concerns for Russia. Moscow will have to react in Finland and Latvia to make sure they do not take irreversible steps that would harm Russia's interests, says Stratfor.

Pro-Europe politician Sauli Niinistö won Finland's presidential poll on Sunday (5 February), in an election that showed voters want to keep the country in the euro zone despite misgivings over European Union bailouts.

Finance ministers from the 17-nation euro zone agreed on Monday (3 October) to Finland's collateral guarantees on its Greek loans, but delayed a decision to release the next tranche of aid until Athens agrees further privatisation of state assets to replenish its coffers.

The EU has overestimated the importance of the Lisbon Treaty and the international community is still wondering who speaks for the European Union on the international stage, Finnish President Tarja Halonen said in an exclusive interview with EurActiv.

Finland has recently carried the can for a delay in raising the amount of money available to the EU's temporary bailout facility. But a senior EU official assures that no national government will stand in the way of boosting the bailout mechanism. 

Finland's second-ever female prime minister, centrist Mari Kiviniemi, assumes leadership of the country's coalition government today (22 June). She will hold the reins until at least the next parliamentary elections in April 2011.

Poland has refused to support former Finish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen's candidacy as EU foreign policy chief, on the grounds that he works for Gazprom on the Nord Stream pipeline project. EurActiv Poland reports.

Almost a fifth of the wood imported into the EU stems from illegal logging, compounding deforestation and climate change, according to a report published on 22 July by environmental group WWF.

The centre-right National Coalition Party gained ten seats in Finnish parliamentary elections held on 18 March, becoming the second largest party after the ruling Centre Party of prime minister Matti Vanhanen who stays in power.

Both European employers and trade unions encourage the Finnish presidency to show EU the way forward albeit for slightly different reasons.

Wanting to 'win back the citizens' the Finnish presidency sets out to do more than business as usual. The Turkey-Cyprus issue looms as a potential crisis.

Professor Pekka Puska, the Director-General of the Finnish National Public Health Institute / Ministry of Social Affairs & Health says that health in all policies and health of workers will be the two main health themes of the upcoming Finnish EU presidency.

After a vote in the parliament, Finland is well on its way to ratify the Constitution, but there will be no referendum. Commission president Barroso calls on national governments to renew their commitment to Europe.

The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report shows that the EU's largest states are losing their competitive edge. Finland, however, still tops the global list.

Enterprise Commissioner Erkki Liikanen was nominated as new governor of the Finnish Central Bank, but the final decision has not yet been taken and more candidates are still in the running.

The four neutral EU Member States are reportedly drawing closer to accepting the new Italian-sponsored mutual defence policy proposal.

Defence Minister Matti Vanhanen was appointed new Finland's prime minister on 24 June, replacing the former leader who had to resign amid accusations she lied to the parliament.

With a final agreement on the new government formation in Finland, the country looks poised to be the first of the EU-15 with two women in charge: Anneli Jäätteenmäki joins sitting President Tarja Harlonen as Prime Minister.

Finland's Centre Party wins majority in the parliamentary elections and yields solid chances for first female-led EU country.