Minister Terho to General Affairs Council

Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sports Sampo Terho will represent Finland at the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday 20 November. The Council will start preparations for the European Council in December, where the topics will be defence, social issues, education and culture. The General Affairs Council will also vote on the relocation of the EU agencies in the United Kingdom.

The Commission’s Work Programme for 2018 will also be on the agenda. Finland commends the Commission’s intention to focus on promoting and achieving results in a limited number of targeted actions. The Commission’s priorities for 2018 are very much in line with Finland’s objectives. Later this year the Finnish Government will draw up a national strategy on how to influence EU policies in 2018.

The Council will also vote on the relocation of the two EU agencies located in the United Kingdom (the European Medicines Agency EMA and the European Banking Authority EBA). There are altogether 19 candidates for the new seat of the European Medicines Agency, Helsinki included.

Michel Barnier, Chief Negotiator of the EU, will give the General Affairs Council, meeting in an EU27 format, an update on the negotiations with the United Kingdom.

Inquiries: Heli Siivola, Senior Specialist for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 476, Prime Minister’s Office.