Minister Tuppurainen meets with Portuguese State Secretary for European Affairs and President of the General Affairs Council Ana Paula Zacarias

Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen met with Ana Paula Zacarias, the Portuguese State Secretary for European Affairs and President of the General Affairs Council, in connection with the EU Social Summit in Porto, Portugal. In their bilateral meeting, they discussed the informal General Affairs Council meeting taking place in Coimbra, Portugal on 17 May, the agenda for which will include the rule of law and the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe.

“Respect for the rule of law also affects the EU’s global position and influence. With this in mind, it is important to pay constant attention to safeguarding the rule of law,” Minister Tuppurainen said.

With regard to the Conference on the Future of Europe, Minister Tuppurainen stressed that it should focus on issues that are important to citizens.

“The main focus of the Conference on the Future of Europe must be on advancing the EU’s key objectives and on bringing about genuine bottom-up interaction within the framework of the existing Treaties,” Tuppurainen stated.

The meeting was part of the programme of the Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering at the Social Summit organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council in Porto, where she is part of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s delegation. Minister Tuppurainen’s programme also includes a meeting with Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security Ana Mendes Godinho.

Inquiries: Jori Arvonen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 320, and Pilvi-Elina Kupias, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 995, Prime Minister’s Office