Prime Minister Katainen in Brussels: Consistency to EU-Russia relations
(Translation. Originally published in Finnish on 15 March 2013)
At the European Council meeting on Friday, the discussion on EU-Russia relations began with a presentation held by Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen. Katainen emphasised that Russia is a particularly important strategic partner to the EU – although also a challenging one. Katainen expressed his wish that the EU would aim to strengthen its relations with Russia as pragmatically as possible with a long-term vision in mind. As concrete cooperation areas Katainen mentioned regional cooperation programmes such as the Northern Dimension and measures geared to promote mobility.
– The EU needs to uphold its values in its relations with Russia. The country's internal development has caused concerns in recent times but, alongside criticism, long-term efforts to foster cooperation are necessary. Russia cannot be changed from the outside but it may help that the EU's message to Russia is clear and consistent, Prime Minister Katainen said in Brussels.
The discussion on Russia was part of the European Council's regular exchange of views on the EU's relations with its strategic partners.
On Thursday, the European Council focused mainly on the Commission's Annual Growth Survey. Social questions were also discussed as part of economic policy. Since first brought to the fora, Finland has advocated the initiative relating to the Youth Guarantee which can significantly contribute to young people's entry into training or employment. The Youth Guarantee aims to ensure that all young people under the age of 25 receive a good quality offer of employment, apprenticeship or traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education. Finland's own social guarantee for young people will be fully implemented nationally from the beginning of 2013.
Inquiries: Pasi Rajala, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 259 or +358 400 464 393 and Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 315, Prime Minister’s Office