Väyrynen to attend the Foreign Affairs Council meeting for trade ministers

At their meeting the ministers will exchange views on the Doha negotiations of the World Trade Organization. Finland favours the retention and reinforcement of a strong, rules-based trade system. Finland supports the Commission’s efforts so that progress could be achieved in the trade liberalisation negotiations, which have stalled.

The ministers will also discuss a Regulation on the creation of transitional arrangements for bilateral investment agreements between Member States of the EU and third countries. In the view of Finland, the new EU investment policy being created should not have a negative impact on the protection and guarantees given to investors under existing agreements. The agreements made by Member States should remain in force until they are replaced by a European Union agreement or a new agreement with the Member State in question.

In addition, the trade ministers will discuss the new Regulation on Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).Finland considers it important that the trade and economy of the poorest countries, in particular, are promoted through the preferential tariffs system. Finland also considers it important that the new Regulation improves the system’s functionality and transparency. Preparations for the EU–Japan Summit and intensification of political and economic cooperation with Japan will also be on the agenda.

Among other issues, the ministers will discuss the report submitted by the Commission to the European Council that pinpoints the central barriers to trade and investments on strategically important third markets, and the free trade negotiations held with Mercosur. During lunch the trade ministers’ discussions will focus on the free trade negotiations between the EU and India and between the EU and Canada.

Additional information: Päivi Nevala, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, mobile tel. +358 40 753 4375, and Counsellor Pirjo Välinoro, mobile tel. +358 40 728 1285