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Ministers Lintilä and Lindström in Strasbourg this week for the European Parliament’s plenary session

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Publication date 12.11.2018 8.33 | Published in English on 12.11.2018 at 11.03
Press release

Minister of Economic Affairs Lintilä’s meetings will focus particularly on the cohesion policy outlines for the next multiannual financial framework. Minister of Employment Lindström will meet with Commissioner for Employment Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen, among others.

The ministers will travel to Strasbourg on 12 November 2018. The next day, they will have a joint meeting with Finnish members of the European Parliament concerning preparations for Finland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Finland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months from 1 July to 31 December 2019.

“Our goal is a comprehensive approach to the promotion of sustainable, smart and inclusive growth in the EU,” said Ministers Lintilä and Lindström.

Influencing the development of the multiannual financial framework

The Commission published its new draft regulations for cohesion policy at the end of May. Finland’s goal is to ensure that funding for cohesion policy continues at a sufficient level for all regions and to shift the priorities of cohesion policy so that it better serves the EU’s competitiveness and European values. One important goal has been to ensure that special funding for sparsely populated regions in eastern and northern Finland continues at or above the present level.

“The drafts published by the Commission this past spring support Finland’s objectives and provide a strong foundation for continued negotiations with EU Member States. I will meet in Strasbourg with Members of the European Parliament to discuss the goals for the coming term,” said Minister Lintilä.

The Minister of Economic Affairs’ meetings are part of his pro-active campaign to influence the EU’s forthcoming financial framework. This year, Minister Lintilä has met with many Commissioners, along with cohesion ministers from several Member States.

Discussions on legislation concerning working life

During his visit, the Minister of Employment will meet with Commissioner for Employment Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen. He will also discuss the most important pending legislative matters with the European Parliament rapporteurs in charge of the matter in question.

Topical issues include a proposed directive on work-life balance and an initiative to establish a European Labour Authority.

“Questions related to working life will also be on the agenda during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Themes that are important for Finland include responding to the transformation of work and ensuring the skills needed in the rapidly changing working life,” Minister Lindstöm said.

Inquiries:
Antti Siika-aho, Special Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 50 575 4118
Akseli Koskela, Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 46 9232 584
Jami N. Arvola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 50 4471 255
Pauliina Porkka, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29 50 48278