Economic growth, security and defence main themes during President of the European Council Tusk's visit to Finland

On Thursday 16 June, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä met Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, in Kesäranta. Several topical EU affairs were discussed in the meeting, such as security and defence policy, migration, the UK's EU referendum, and economic growth.

Prime Minister Sipilä and President Tusk talked about ways to fuel economic growth and competitiveness. Free trade agreements are an important element in promoting growth.

'Growth and employment are among the most important goals of the Government, and heavy regulation hampers business activities. For instance, the industrial service sector, which combines the smart services of machinery and equipment with global service business activities, offers huge potential for growth. By strengthening the EU's Digital Single Market and by avoiding over-regulation we can facilitate new business models of this kind', says Sipilä.  

As regards migration, Sipilä underlined that it is important for the June European Council to focus on cooperation with the countries of origin of asylum seekers, so that irregular migratory flows can be brought under control.

Sipilä and Tusk also discussed the development of the EU's common security and defence policy and countering hybrid threats.

The UK's forthcoming EU referendum was addressed, too. The discussion included deliberation about how the European Union will operate in the post-referendum situation and what aspects need to be raised in the European Council meeting on June 28 and 29.

During his visit, President Tusk will also meet the President of the Republic, Sauli Niinistö. Tusk's visit to Finland is his first in the capacity of the President of the European Council.

Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 319 and Jari Haapiainen, Special Adviser (EU-affairs), tel. +358 295 160 406, Prime Minister's Office