Prime Minister Katainen received an economic award in Germany

On Tuesday 12 June, Prime Minister Katainen received a highly commended economic award, the golden Ludwig Erhard prize, in Berlin. The award, presented in the annual economic seminar organised by the Economic Council of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is given in recognition of outstanding achievements in the development of a socially sustainable market economy.

"I have very high regard for this personal recognition, but I also think that a major reason behind the award is the country that I represent, Finland. We have very close relations with Germany and our thinking, for example, about the ways of developing the EU are consistent in many areas," said Prime Minister Katainen in Berlin.

During his visit, Prime Minister Katainen had a meeting with the German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. Katainen and Merkel discussed, for example, Spain's request for help which the country had submitted to the Euro Group.

"We were both of the opinion that, in the current situation, the capitalisation of Spanish banks is the best available alternative. Finland and Germany will continue to emphasise that, within the EU, responsibility and power must remain in the same hands. I personally hope that, in future, the EU is a community where we don't need to suspect any country of taking unfair advantage of the other Member States," said Prime Minister Katainen.

Earlier honorees of the Gedenkmünze Ludwig Erhard in Gold, the golden Ludwig Erhard prize, include President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the World Bank Robert B. Zoellick and President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet.

Inquiries: Kari Mokko, Director of Government Communications, tel. +358 40 751 3281, Prime Minister's Office