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Prime Minister Rinne: Finland has high ambitions for its Presidency of the Council of the EU

statsrådets kommunikationsavdelning
Publication date 17.7.2019 11.39 | Published in English on 17.7.2019 at 15.03
Press release 388
Pääministeri Antti Rinne ja Euroopan parlamentin puhemies David Sassoli

Key elements for Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU are a high level of ambition, a positive and pragmatic approach, close cooperation with various institutions, and strengthening the common values. Prime Minister Antti Rinne told about Finland’s approach, priorities and objectives at the plenary meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday 17 July.

“The future of the EU should be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. The slogan for our Presidency neatly states this goal: Sustainable Europe – Sustainable Future”, Prime Minister Rinne said.

Prime Minister Rinne stressed the strong and global role that the EU should adopt in climate action.

“For the European Union, leadership means committing to climate neutrality by 2050. Our aim is to reach agreement on the main elements of this plan by the end of 2019. We need to boost employment with the help of the bioeconomy and circular economy, for example. This is how we can make the EU the world’s most competitive and socially inclusive low-carbon economy.”

Rinne also highlighted the need to protect the security of EU citizens in a comprehensive way and to strengthen the common values and rule of law.

“Human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law are all values that EU countries commit to as part of their membership. These values belong together. They are the cornerstones of all EU action. But they are not just values, they are a European reality. Because of these values, European societies are safer and more secure, more stable and more prosperous than anywhere else in the world”, Prime Minister Rinne said.

In Strasbourg Prime Minister Rinne and Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen also discussed with the newly elected President of the European Parliament David-Maria Sassoli and met Finnish MEPs.

During Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, Minister for European Affairs Tuppurainen will act as the main representative of the Council at the European Parliament. At the Parliament’s plenary session on Wednesday she gave two speeches, one about the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean region and the other concerning clean air in the cities of Europe.

Prime Minister Rinne’s speech

Inquiries (Prime Minister): Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Pilvi-Elina Kupias, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 319, Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office

Inquiries (Minister for European Affairs): Satu Keskinen, Head of Unit, tel. +358 295 160 302, Matti Niemi, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 45 679 1717, Prime Minister’s Office

The press conference, Prime Minister’s speech and speeches by the Minister for European Affairs can be viewed live and as a recording. More information.

Audiovisual material of the European Parliament for media use.

Photos for media use.