Discussion between Prime Minister Sipilä and President Tusk

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and President of the European Council Donald Tusk spoke on the phone today. President Tusk is consulting the Member States before the informal meeting in Bratislava on 16 September.

In the meeting, the Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States will discuss the development of the EU following the UK's Brexit decision. Key themes include economic growth and internal and external security.

-When developing the EU at 27, we need to have both ambition and realism, stressed Prime Minister Sipilä.

-One of the main tasks of the EU is to respond to economic challenges. We must remove the remaining barriers to trade and investment between the Member States. This is very important for our citizens, because a well-functioning Single Market generates economic growth and boosts employment, stated Prime Minister Sipilä.

Prime Minister Sipilä also underlined that free trade agreements with the United States and Canada would help stimulate economic growth in Europe and bolster employment.

Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 319; Jari Haapiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 406; Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733