Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič to visit Finland

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union, will visit Finland on 24-25 September. During his visit Vice President Šefčovič will have meetings with Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn.

On Thursday 24 September, Prime Minister Sipilä and Vice President Šefčovič will discuss the European Energy Union and climate issues. The meeting with Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn on the same day will focus, in addition to EU energy policy, on the Finnish Government's climate and energy strategy which is currently being drafted.

Finland supports the establishment of an energy union and the completion of the EU internal energy market. In climate and energy issues, it is important for Finland to strengthen the bio-economy market, especially for advanced biofuels, and to prevent the transfer of energy-intensive industrial production outside the EU. Reaching a conclusion on a comprehensive international climate agreement is of paramount importance.

On Friday 25 September, Vice President Šefčovič will visit Vaasa. Šefčovič's visit to Finland is part of his Energy Union Tour covering all Member States.

Inquiries on the meeting with the Prime Minister: Jari Haapiainen, Special Adviser (EU-affairs), tel. +358 295 160 406 and on the media arrangements Maria Nurmi, Communications Specialist for International Affairs, tel. +358 50 408 4061, Prime Minister's Office

Inquiries on the meeting with the Minister of Economic Affairs: Markku Rajala, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 047 480 and Tuuli-Maaria Aalto, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 047 077, Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Inquiries on the Vice President's programme in Finland: Nina Hotti, Press Officer, tel. +358 50 384 7857, Representation of the European Commission in Finland