Minister Lindström to Croatia to discuss the goals of the forthcoming EU Presidency Trio

The ministers of employment and social affairs from Finland, Romania and Croatia will meet in Dubrovnik on 23–24 April 2018. The three countries will make up the Presidency Trio of the Council of the European Union from January 2019 to June 2020.

This is the first time the Trio ministers meet to discuss topics of the European Union’s Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO). Finland will be represented by Minister of Employment Jari Lindström and Director Veli-Mikko Niemi from the International Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

“In Croatia we will be launching a dialogue about the common priorities of the Presidency Trio,” Minister of Employment Lindström says.

“Themes that are important for Finland include responding to the transformation of work and ensuring the skills needed in the rapidly changing working life. We will be discussing how we could respond to these challenges at EU level,” Minister Lindström says.

Finland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months from 1 July to 31 December 2019. Romania will hold the presidency before Finland and Croatia after Finland.

Member States holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called ‘trios’. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period.

Finland will also prepare its own Presidency programme. All parliamentary parties will be involved in this work under the lead of Prime Minister.

Inquiries:
Jami N. Arvola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 50 4471 255
Pauliina Porkka, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29 50 48278