Prime Minister Sipilä met the Pope together with EU leaders
On Saturday 25 March, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä will be participating in the 60th anniversary celebration of the Treaties of Rome. In connection with the festivities, the Heads of State or Government of the 27 Member States of the European Union will be signing a declaration setting out a joint vision for the Union for the years to come. On the eve of the ceremonies, the Prime Minister met Pope Francis in the Vatican together with the rest of the EU leaders.
In his speech to the EU leaders, the Pope underlined the historical foundation on which the European Union was originally built. He encouraged the EU leaders to have faith in the future of Europe.
Prime Minister Sipilä also hosted an Italo-Finnish business event on Friday. A number of Italian businesses operating in Finland and Finnish companies Nokia, Comptel, Wärtsilä ja Kalmar/Cargotec attended the event. The purpose is to intensify trade and industry policy connections between the two countries.
The Prime Minister considers it positive that the economic situation in Europe and in Finland has improved. He described the Government measures that have been taken to boost growth and employment. Sipilä also highlighted the strong cooperation between Finland and Italy in the business sector. Finnish companies have invested strongly in Italy and vice versa. It is important to further promote this trend.
A gala reception linked to the Finland 100 centenary celebrations was held on Friday in Villa Lante, Finland’s Institute in Rome, which was attended by close to 140 guests. The Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas, and the Italian Foreign Minister, Angelino Alfano, were also present. Prime Minister Sipilä discussed topical EU matters and Finland’s jubilee year with them. In his speech at the gala, Sipilä stressed the long-standing and good cooperation between Finland and Italy.
Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 319, Riikka Pakarinen Special Adviser (EU affairs), tel. +358 40 580 0833 and Päivi Paasikoski, Head of Communications, tel. +358 40 547 6279, Prime Minister's Office
Further information
60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome
60 years of the Rome treaties
Prime Minister Sipilä will visit Rome (21 March)
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