Hansard

EU: Finnish Presidency

Volume 684: debated on Monday 3 July 2006

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Lord Dykes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What subjects they propose to discuss with the Government of Finland as priority policies for the next European Union presidency starting on1 July.[HL6488]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(Lord Triesman)

We are especially keen to highlight the importance of the Hampton Court agenda agreed during our presidency last year: focusing on delivery for the citizens of the EU. Our embassy in Helsinki is in daily contact with the Finnish Government on a wide range of issues. More than 40 separate meetings have also taken place between Ministers and officials from the UK and Finland since March this year. These have covered topics as diverse as the future of Europe, enlargement, counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, competitiveness and innovation, development policy, energy, climate change, and justice and home affairs. We will maintain close contact with the Finns throughout their presidency.