| Finnish EU Presidency 
Matti Vanhanen
Finlands statsminister, under presskonferens
vid Nordiska rådets session i Stockholm.
Foto: Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org
Datum: 31-10-2004
Finland assumes the Presidency of the EU 1 July 2006. The main themes of the Finnish Presidency will be the future of the Union, European competitiveness, co-operation on legal and internal issues, relations with the rest of the world and enlargement.
A number of important summits are planned during the Presidency, including an informal meeting of heads of state and government in Lahti on October 20.
With almost half a billion people, a quarter all trade and the largest development aid budget in the world, the Union plays an important role on the international stage. Its most important objectives in external affairs are to promote security, stability and democracy and to alleviate poverty, especially in Africa.
The Finns have drawn up a long list of priorities for external affairs during the Presidency. Efforts to establish tangible co-operation between the EU and Russia and encourage Russia to commit to partnership will culminate in a summit in November. A new framework document for the Northern Dimension also awaits ratification.
Around 2,000 people representing 39 delegations will be joined by some 1,000 members of the media in Helsinki in September for the Asem Summit, when the forum for co-operation between Asia and Europe celebrates its 10th anniversary.
It is incumbent upon the Presidency to progress the common agenda for the Union that it inherits, as well as its own objectives and priorities, and successful Presidency can open international doors for years to come.
The Council's three-year strategic programme has laid down the agenda for the Finnish Presidency and, in addition, Finland and Austria drew up a joint programme for the whole of 2006.
The Lisbon Strategy from 2000 continues to play an important role in helping the European Union and its member nations to face up to the challenges of an ageing population and globalisation, two of the Union's top priorities.
Monitoring of progress in Bulgaria and Romania will intensify in 2006 as part of their planned accession in 2007. Negotiations with Croatia and Turkey will also continue.
The Finnish Presidency of the EU, (eng): http://www.eu2006.fi/en_GB/ The Finnish Government's EU Secretariat: http://www.statsradet.fi/eu/suomi-ja-eu/2006/sv.jsp
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