Author: Dale Simmmons

CFSP statement, General Affairs and External Relations

24 Aug 2006, 11:00 en fr fi sv

The European Union is gravely concerned about the situation of the Iranian human rights defenders after the reported death on 31 July of a student activist Mr. Akbar Mohammadi. Allegedly Mr. Mohammadi’s death was a result of a hunger strike while in custody in Evin prison serving his fifteen year sentence.

Mr. Mohammadi had been detained since 1999 for his participation in peaceful student demonstrations. Information received implies that the trial of Mr. Mohammadi was characterized by severe deficiencies. There have also been allegations concerning his inappropriate treatment while in custody.

The circumstances concerning the death of Mr. Mohammadi are also unclear. The EU questions whether Mr. Mohammadi was provided with proper medical care while in hunger strike. The EU asks the Iranian authorities to carry out an independent investigation on the death of Mr. Mohammadi.

The EU will monitor closely the situation of Mr. Manoucher Mohammadi, brother of Mr. Akbar Mohammadi, as well as all other detained Iranian student activists. 

The EU expresses grave concern regarding the harsh treatment of dissidents, opposition leaders, student activists and all human rights defenders in Iranian prisons.

The EU also calls on the Iranian Government to respect its obligations under all its international commitments.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

L’Union européenne est vivement préoccupée par la situation des défenseurs iraniens des droits de l’homme après l’annonce de la mort, survenue le 31 juillet, du militant Akbar Mohammadi. M. Mohammadi serait décédé des suites d’une grève de la faim alors qu’il purgeait une peine de quinze ans à la prison d’Evin.

M. Mohammadi était incarcéré depuis 1999 pour avoir participé à des manifestations pacifiques d’étudiants. Selon les informations reçues, le procès de M. Mohammadi a été caractérisé par de graves irrégularités. Il a également été fait état des mauvais traitements qu’il aurait subis pendant sa détention.

Les circonstances de la mort de M. Mohammadi sont également obscures. L’UE se demande si M. Mohammadi a reçu des soins médicaux appropriés pendant sa grève de la faim. L’UE demande aux autorités iraniennes de diligenter une enquête indépendante sur la mort de M. Mohammadi.

L’UE suivra de près la situation de M. Manoucher Mohammadi, frère de M. Akbar Mohammadi, ainsi que celle de tous les autres militants étudiants iraniens actuellement emprisonnés.

L’UE se déclare extrêmement préoccupée par la dureté des traitements infligés aux dissidents, aux dirigeants de l’opposition, aux militants étudiants et à tous les défenseurs des droits de l’homme détenus dans des prisons iraniennes.

L’UE appelle également le gouvernement iranien à respecter les obligations qui lui incombent au titre de l’ensemble de ses engagements internationaux.

La Bulgarie et la Roumanie, pays en voie d’adhésion, la Turquie, la Croatie* et l’ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine*, pays candidats, l’Albanie, la Bosnie-Herzégovine, le Monténégro et la Serbie, pays du processus de stabilisation et d’association et candidats potentiels, l’Islande, le Liechtenstein et la Norvège, pays de l’AELE membres de l’Espace économique européen, ainsi que l’Ukraine et la république de Moldavie, se rallient à la présente déclaration.

* La Croatie et l’ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine continuent à participer au processus de stabilisation et d’association.

Euroopan unioni on syvästi huolestunut iranilaisten ihmisoikeuksien puolustajien tilanteesta 31. heinäkuuta tapahtuneeksi ilmoitetun opiskelija-aktivisti Akbar Mohammadin kuoleman jälkeen. Akbar Mohammadin kuoleman väitetään johtuneen nälkälakosta, johon Mohammadi oli ryhtynyt Evinin vankilassa, jossa hän kärsi viidentoista vuoden tuomiotaan.

Akbar Mohammadi oli ollut pidätettynä vuodesta 1999. Syynä oli hänen osallistumisensa rauhanomaisiin opiskelijamielenosoituksiin. Saatujen tietojen perusteella on pääteltävissä, että Mohammadin oikeudenkäyntiin liittyi vakavia epäkohtia. On myös väitetty, että hänen kohtelunsa vankeudessa ei ollut asianmukaista.

Myös Akbar Mohammadin kuolemaan liittyvät olosuhteet ovat epäselvät. Euroopan unionissa on herännyt kysymys, evättiinkö Mohammadilta asianmukainen lääketieteellinen hoito hänen nälkälakkonsa aikana. EU pyytää Iranin viranomaisia teettämään riippumattoman tutkimuksen Mohammadin kuolemasta.

EU seuraa tarkasti Akbar Mohammadin veljen Manoucher Mohammadin sekä kaikkien muiden pidätettyinä olevien iranilaisten opiskelija-aktivistien tilannetta.

EU ilmaisee olevansa syvästi huolestunut toisinajattelijoiden, oppositiojohtajien, opiskelija-aktivistien ja kaikkien ihmisoikeuksien puolustajien kovasta kohtelusta Iranin vankiloissa.

EU myös vetoaa Iranin hallitukseen, jotta se noudattaisi kaikkien kansainvälisten sitoumustensa mukaisia velvoitteitaan.

Liittyvät valtiot Bulgaria ja Romania, jäsenehdokasvaltiot Turkki, Kroatia* ja entinen Jugoslavian tasavalta Makedonia*, vakautus- ja assosiaatioprosessiin osallistuvat valtiot ja mahdolliset jäsenehdokkaat Albania, Bosnia ja Hertsegovina, Montenegro sekä Serbia, Euroopan talousalueeseen kuuluvat EFTA-maat Islanti, Liechtenstein ja Norja sekä Ukraina ja Moldovan tasavalta yhtyvät tähän julkilausumaan.

* Kroatia ja entinen Jugoslavian tasavalta Makedonia kuuluvat edelleen vakautus- ja assosiaatioprosessin piiriin.

Europeiska unionen är djupt oroad över situationen för de iranska människorättsförsvararna efter studentaktivisten Akbar Mohammadis rapporterade dödsfall den 31 juli. Enligt uppgift dog Akbar Mohammadi som ett resultat av en hungersstrejk medan han var fängslad i Evinfängelset, där han avtjänade sitt femtonåriga straff.

Akbar Mohammadi hade varit fängslad sedan 1999 på grund av sitt deltagande i fredliga studentdemonstrationer. De uppgifter som lämnats tyder på att Akbar Mohammadis rättegång karaktäriserades av allvarliga brister. Det förekommer även uppgifter om att han inte har behandlats korrekt under frihetsberövandet.

Omständigheterna kring Akbar Mohammadis död är också oklara. EU ifrågasätter om Akbar Mohammid fick adekvat läkarvård under hungerstrejken. EU ber de iranska myndigheterna att göra en oberoende utredning av Akbar Mohammadis död.

EU kommer att noga följa situationen för Akbar Mohammadis bror, Manoucher Mohammadi, liksom för alla andra fängslade iranska studentaktivister.

EU uttrycker sin djupa oro över den hårda behandlingen av dissidenter, oppositionsledare, studentaktivister och alla människorättsförsvarare i iranska fängelser. EU uppmanar också den iranska regeringen att respektera sina skyldigheter enligt alla dess internationella åtaganden.

De anslutande länderna Bulgarien och Rumänien, kandidatländerna Turkiet, Kroatien* och f.d. jugoslaviska republiken Makedonien*, de potentiella kandidatländerna i stabiliserings- och associeringsprocessen Albanien, Bosnien och Hercegovina, Montenegro samt Serbien, Efta- och EES-länderna Island, Liechtenstein och Norge liksom Ukraina och Republiken Moldavien ansluter sig till detta uttalande.

* Kroatien och f.d. jugoslaviska republiken Makedonien omfattas även fortsättningsvis av stabiliserings- och associeringsprocessen.

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1. The third summit meeting between the EU and the Republic of Korea was held in Helsinki on 9 September 2006. The EU was represented by Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister of Finland in his capacity as President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso. The Republic of Korea was represented by the President Roh Moo-hyun.

2. Summit Leaders reaffirmed their desire to further strengthen the partnership between the EU and the Republic of Korea, which share fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the market economy. The Leaders reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the 2001 bilateral Framework Agreement for Trade and Cooperation and the annexed Joint Declaration on Political Dialogue between the Republic of Korea and the EU.

3. The EU welcomed the continued efforts of the Republic of Korea to promote peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and noted its commitment to regional stability and integration. In this regard, the EU indicated its willingness to share its own experience of integration in Europe and to actively continue to contribute to the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asian region.

4. Summit Leaders noted that a number of important results had been achieved since the last summit such as the increase in bilateral trade and investment, the enhancement of political dialogue and of scientific and technological co-operation.

5. The Leaders also discussed recent social and economic initiatives including government innovation and reform in the Republic of Korea, and shared views on relevant European experiences, including the implementation of the EU Lisbon Strategy. The EU and the Republic of Korea recalled the need to extend the benefits of globalisation for all, to promote decent work, and to strengthen the social dimension of globalization. Leaders affirmed their determination to respect, protect, and promote cultural diversity and the equal dignity of all cultures, and acknowledged the importance of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for this matter. They also emphasized the growing importance of dialogue among cultures and civilizations.

6. The Leaders reviewed the discussions at the EU/Republic of Korea Joint Committee Meeting in June 2006 and agreed to redouble their efforts to resolve outstanding bilateral trade and investment issues. They also discussed ways to strengthen further their economic cooperation. They noted that the EU and the Republic of Korea are conducting exploratory talks, at the technical level, on a possible EU/Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement. The aim of this discussion is to verify their common level of ambition and readiness to examine the feasibility of a comprehensive FTA. They agreed to continue their efforts to achieve tangible positive outcomes in all areas of trade and cooperation.

7. The Leaders witnessed and welcomed today’s signing of the EU/Korea cooperation Agreement on Civil Navigation Satellite System. They assessed the scope for further cooperation in such fields as competition policy, science and technology, air transport, information society, environment, ODA, industry and education. In particular, the Leaders welcomed the recent agreements on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and on Fusion Energy Research. Both sides confirmed the importance of accelerating discussions on civil aviation. The Leaders reiterated their commitment to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and to its expeditious installation at Cadarache in France. They also welcomed the recent opening of an EU Centre in Seoul and the success of EU/Republic of Korea Executive Training Programme. Both sides emphasized that actions could be taken to diminish the health and economic impacts of avian flu and threats of a possible human pandemic, as well as of HIV-AIDS.

8. The Leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to work towards lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula including the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. The Leaders emphasised their wish to see the Six-Party-Talks process resume as soon as possible and make progress on implementing the Joint Statement of 19 September 2005. They encouraged the DPRK to take further steps in modernising its economy and to participate in the international community as a full and responsible member protecting the welfare and rights of its citizens. In this context, the EU reiterated its firm support for the Republic of Korea’s Policy for Peace and Prosperity, pointing out that exchanges between South and North Korea should foster a favourable environment for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. For its part, the EU remains committed to maintaining its engagement with the DPRK on issues such as the nuclear programme, human rights, good governance and economic modernisation, and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and food security to its population while needs exist. The Leaders noted that the KEDO reactor project had been formally terminated. The Leaders expressed their grave concern over North Korea’s multiple launch of missiles, which undermined peace and stability in Northeast Asia and negatively impacted North Korea’s relations with its surrounding countries. They strongly called on North Korea to reinstate its moratorium on missile testing, return to the Six-Party Talks without further delay, and commit to the faithful implementation of the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement. The Leaders confirmed their support to the international community’s efforts in formulating a decisive and united response that would also be conducive to the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

9. The Leaders recognised that the Korean Peninsula is a strategic area within Northeast Asia where the cooperation among neighbouring countries is fundamental to regional prosperity and stability. They welcomed the increase of economic exchanges between neighbours and expressed a desire to see the development of political relations benefit the Northeast Asian region. The EU and the Republic of Korea are of the view that any regional issues of concern should be resolved by peaceful and diplomatic means.

10. Both sides also acknowledged the substantial work on regional security being undertaken by the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Korea welcomed the EU’s interest in the rapidly evolving East Asia regional cooperation with a view to building an East Asian Community.

11. President Roh recognised that the enlarged EU provides valuable sources of reference for regional cooperation based on the community of law and community of values. President Barroso referred to the role of the EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood policies in furthering these values.

12. The EU and the Republic of Korea look forward to a successful 6th ASEM Summit to be held in Helsinki during September 10-11, 2006. Both the EU and the Republic of Korea viewed ASEM as a valuable framework for an Asia-Europe informal dialogue and cooperation, and believed that the summit, which marks the 10th anniversary of cooperation, will take the process forward. The EU expressed appreciation for the contributions that the Republic of Korea has been making as an ASEM coordinator.

13. Summit Leaders welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) which led to the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. UNSCR 1701 (2006) sets the required framework for a political settlement of the crisis supported by the reinforced UNIFIL forces in which the EU Member States play a leading role. Summit leaders urged all parties in the region to play a constructive role in helping to swiftly implement this resolution. They also stressed their determination to bring humanitarian assistance to the people of Lebanon.

14. The Leaders reaffirmed their support for a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on existing agreements which include the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the principles laid down in the Road Map. They welcomed the establishment of the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM). 

15. The Republic of Korea welcomed European efforts to find a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation and expressed its hope for substantial progress on this matter with such efforts. The leaders called on Iran to implement UNSCR 1696 (2006) and all Resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors. The leaders also welcomed the proposals put forward by China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, for a comprehensive arrangement with Iran, based on mutual respect and the establishment of international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

16. The Leaders welcomed the formation of a broad-based coalition government in Iraq, condemned strongly all acts of terrorism, and reiterated their support for all efforts aimed at promoting inclusiveness and reconciliation in Iraq. They also encouraged further international engagement with Iraq, including in the context of the International Compact put forward by the Iraqi government.

17. In the broader Asian context, the EU and the Republic of Korea supported the successful completion of the Bonn process. They are committed to supporting the Afghan government, in close partnership, in implementing the Afghanistan Compact so as to build a democratic, accountable and sustainable state.

18. The European Union and the Republic of Korea reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, irrespective of the motives of those who perpetrate terrorist acts. Both sides attached great importance to counter-terrorism cooperation in the framework of the United Nations and shared a commitment to universal ratification and full implementation of all international counter-terrorism Conventions and related Protocols. They also expressed the aspiration to reach an early international consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and on a UN strategy for combating terrorism, based on the proposals of the UN Secretary General. The European Union and the Republic of Korea reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism with full respect of obligations under international law, in particular human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law.

19. Both sides exchanged ideas and experiences with regard to the terrorist threat in their respective regions as well as on the fight against terrorist financing and the protection of air and maritime transport.

20. Summit Leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthen the disarmament and non-proliferation regime including maintaining the integrity of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and affirmed the importance of cooperation at the 2006 Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

21. Summit leaders expressed their support for reform efforts of the UN system in the framework of working for an effective multilateralism. Both sides underlined the importance of implementing the on-going reform process agreed at the UN Summit, including the reform of main UN bodies. They warmly welcomed the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council, as an essential element in the UN system of protection and promotion of human rights and the Peacebuilding Commission, as a sustained and coordinated support mechanism to countries emerging from conflict. They underlined the importance of actively contributing to the work of both bodies.

22. Noting that climate change is one of the most serious challenges being faced on Earth, both sides confirmed their support for finding global solutions. Both long term and immediate actions are required and all countries have a role to play respectively. The Leaders noted the importance of the Action Plan adopted at the Montreal Climate Conference, thanks to which crucial discussions on further action to address climate change have been initiated under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. They emphasised the important role of multilateral cooperation and dialogue on global action, including in the context of ASEM, and of technology, market- based mechanisms and innovative financing in support of achieving the ultimate goals of the Convention. They expressed their support for strengthening bilateral contacts on these issues.

23. Summit leaders shared the view that energy markets are becoming more integrated and that energy security has become an important element in foreign policy-making. They recalled that the improvement of energy efficiency and energy conservation contributes synergistic benefits both to energy security and to price stability as well as in the long run to mitigation of climate change. The EU and the Republic of Korea will focus their continued consultations on energy issues, such as security of energy supply, energy efficiency and energy conservation as well as on research and development of clean energy and renewable sources.

24. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading regime and to continue to work closely to bring the WTO/DDA negotiations to an ambitious and balanced conclusion. They expressed deep regret about the suspension of the negotiations and readiness to go back to the negotiating table as soon as circumstances would allow. They called on all parties to the negotiations to show the necessary flexibility to allow the negotiations to resume as soon as possible. They emphasized the importance of concluding an agreement creating new opportunities for trade in goods and services and strengthening multilateral rules.

25. The Leaders welcomed the continuing, dynamic development of their bilateral relations, and underlined the pivotal role and the potential for the use of the EU/Republic of Korea Framework Agreement to their mutual benefit. They renewed their commitment to bilateral consultation channels, including Summit Meetings, Ministerial Meetings, the Joint Committee and enhanced Political Dialogue Meetings as key means for achieving the common goal of stronger bilateral relations. The EU and the Republic of Korea view the success of this Summit as very substantive and as a further stepping stone in its growing partnership of progress towards achievement of shared goals.

Press release, Justice and Home Affairs

05 Dec 2006, 13:28 en fi sv

The last Justice and Home Affairs Council of the Finnish Presidency reached an agreement on the establishment of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. The Agency should be operational early next year. Ms Leena Luhtanen, Chairman of the Council, was pleased to see the Council approve the Presidency’s compromise proposal. ”We have succeeded in fulfilling the assignment given to us by the European Council. I believe the negotiations have resulted in an Agency that will improve the level of protection for fundamental rights in the European Union, adding significant value to the important work carried out by other institutions, such as the Council of Europe.” ”Establishing an effective Agency has been one of Finland’s key objectives during our Presidency. I am pleased to say that the agreement we have reached will enable the Agency to function in the areas of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters right from the beginning,” Ms Luhtanen added. The mandate of the Agency in the fields of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters is based on voluntary consultation. The Council, European Parliament and Commission as well as the Member States may consult the Agency in questions concerning the police and criminal justice cooperation. The Council is also committed to reviewing the Agency’s mandate on these areas by the end of 2009. The Council has also found a solution to the question concerning the Agency’s geographical scope. The Agency will focus on the Community and its Member States when implementing the Community law. However, the candidate countries may participate in its work as observers, and the Agency’s mandate can be extended to them, if the relevant Association Council so decides. Similarly, the Council may decide to invite the Western Balkan countries to participate in the Agency’s work. The establishment and work of the Agency for Fundamental Rights will not affect the Council of Europe’s position as the primary source and interpreter of European human rights standards. The new Agency will focus on the fundamental rights in the area of the Community law. The Agency will be a centre of expertise on fundamental rights, advising the Union and its Member States on how to better implement fundamental rights related Union legislation and other Union activities. The independent Agency will collect, analyse and disseminate data on fundamental rights when implementing Community law. One of its functions is to publish an annual report on the state of fundamental rights in the European Union. However, it will not monitor the state of fundamental rights in individual Member States. The Agency will continue to work of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia. The Agency will work closely with the NGOs, the NGOs providing the Agency with information on the state of fundamental rights. A special body, the Fundamental Rights Forum, will be set up to act as a link between the Agency and NGOs. Further information: Päivi Leino-Sandberg, Legal Counsellor (Ministry of Justice), mobile + 358 50 576 1575, and Joni Heliskoski, Senior Specialist (Finland’s Permanent Representation in the EU), mobile + 32 2 473 485 024 Suomen puheenjohtajakauden viimeinen oikeus- ja sisäasiain neuvosto saavutti yhteisymmärryksen Euroopan unionin perusoikeusviraston perustamisesta. Perusoikeusvirasto pääsee näin aloittamaan toimintansa ensi vuoden alkupuolella. Neuvoston puheenjohtaja Leena Luhtanen iloitsi siitä, että neuvosto oli valmis hyväksymään puheenjohtajamaan kompromissiesityksen. ”Olemme saaneet täytetyksi Eurooppa-neuvoston meille antaman toimeksiannon. Uskon, että neuvottelujen tuloksena on syntynyt virasto, joka parantaa perusoikeuksien suojan tasoa Euroopan unionissa ja luo merkittävää lisäarvoa muiden toimijoiden kuten Euroopan neuvoston tekemälle tärkeälle työlle.” ”Toimintakykyisen viraston perustaminen on ollut Suomen puheenjohtajuuskauden keskeinen tavoite. Olen iloinen siitä, että olemme löytäneet ratkaisun, joka mahdollistaa viraston toiminnan myös poliisi- ja rikosoikeudellisen yhteistyön alalla heti sen perustamisesta lähtien”, totesi ministeri Luhtanen. Poliisi- ja rikosoikeudellista yhteistyötä koskeva ratkaisu perustuu vapaaehtoisuuteen. Neuvosto, Euroopan parlamentti ja komissio samoin kuin jäsenvaltiot voivat halutessaan konsultoida virastoa poliisi- ja rikosoikeudellisen yhteistyön alaan liittyvissä kysymyksissä. Neuvosto sitoutuu lisäksi tarkastelemaan uudelleen viraston toimivaltuuksia näillä aloilla vuoden 2009 loppuun mennessä. Neuvosto löysi ratkaisun myös viraston maantieteellistä toimialaa koskevaan ongelmaan. Virasto keskittyy toiminnassaan unioniin ja sen jäsenvaltioihin näiden soveltaessa yhteisöoikeutta. Hakijamaat voivat kuitenkin osallistua työhön tarkkailijoina ja viraston toiminta voi kohdistua niihin, jos assosiaationeuvosto niin päättää. Samalla tavoin neuvosto voi päättää myös kutsua Länsi-Balkanin valtiot osallistumaan viraston toimintaan. Perusoikeusviraston perustaminen ja toiminta eivät vaikuta Euroopan neuvoston asemaan eurooppalaisten ihmisoikeusnormien ensisijaisena lähteenä ja tulkitsijana. Uusi perusoikeusvirasto keskittyy toiminnassaan perusoikeuksiin unionin lainsäädännön alalla. Virasto toimii unionin yleisenä perusoikeusasiantuntijana, joka tukee unionia ja jäsenvaltioita siinä, että ne huomioivat perusoikeudet nykyistä kattavammin EU:n lainsäädännössä ja muissa toimissa. Riippumaton virasto kerää, analysoi ja levittää tietoa perusoikeuksista unionin oikeuden soveltamisalalla. Se julkaisee esimerkiksi vuosittain raportin perusoikeustilanteesta Euroopan unionissa. Sen sijaan yksittäisten jäsenvaltioiden perusoikeustilanne ei kuulu sen tehtäväkenttään. Virasto jatkaa Wienissä sijaitsevan Euroopan rasismin ja muukalaisvihan seurantakeskuksen aloittamaa työtä. Virasto toimii läheisessä yhteistyössä kansalaisjärjestöjen kanssa, joilta se saa tarvitsemiaan tietoja perusoikeustilanteesta. Yhteistyötä varten perustetaan erityinen elin, perusoikeusfoorumi. Lisätietoja: lainsäädäntöneuvos Päivi Leino-Sandberg (OM), gsm + 358 50 576 1575, ja erityisasiantuntija Joni Heliskoski (EUE), gsm + 32 2 473 485 024 Rådet för rättsliga och inrikes ärenden nådde under sitt sista möte under Finlands ordförandeskaps samförstånd om inrättandet av Europeiska unionens byrå för grundläggande rättigheter. Byrån för grundläggande rättigheter kan således inleda sin verksamhet i början av nästa år. Rådets ordförande Leena Luhtanen gladde sig åt att rådet var berett att godkänna ordförandelandets kompromissförslag. ”Vi har slutfört det uppdrag som vi fått av Europarådet. Jag är övertygad om att byrån för grundläggande rättigheter, som uppstått som ett resultat av förhandlingarna, förbättrar nivån när det gäller att skydda grundrättigheterna inom Europeiska unionen och skapar ett betydligt mervärde för andra aktörer, såsom för det viktiga arbete som görs inom Europeiska rådet”, konstaterade minister Luhtanen. ”Inrättandet av ett funktionsdugligt ämbetsverk var ett av de centrala målen under Finlands ordförandeskapsperiod. Det gläder mig att vi lyckats finna en lösning som även möjliggör ett polisiärt och brottsrättsligt samarbete genast när ämbetsverket inrättas”, konstaterade minister Luhtanen. Lösningen angående det polisiära och straffrättsliga samarbetet grundar sig på frivillighet. Rådet, Europaparlamentet och kommissionen liksom medlemsstaterna kan vid behov konsultera byrån i frågor som ansluter sig till det polisiära och straffrättsliga samarbetet. Rådet förbinder sig därtill att utöva tillsyn över den nya byråns befogenheter inom dessa områden fram till slutet av år 2009. Rådet fann också en lösning på problemet gällande byråns geografiska verksamhetsområde. Byrån koncentrerar sin verksamhet till unionen och dess medlemsstater, när dessa tillämpar gemenskapsrätt. Sökandeländerna kan emellertid delta i arbetet som observatörer och byråns verksamhet kan hänföras till dessa, om associationsrådet så beslutar. På samma sätt kan rådet också fatta beslut om att inbjuda de västbaltiska länderna att delta i byråns verksamhet. Inrättandet av en byrå för grundläggande rättigheter och dess verksamhet inverkar inte på Europeiska rådets ställning som primär källa och tolkare av normerna för de mänskliga rättigheterna i Europa. Den nya byrån för grundläggande rättigheter koncentrerar sig i sin verksamhet på de grundläggande rättigheterna inom unionens lagstiftningsområde. Byrån fungerar som unionens allmänna sakkunnigorgan i frågor som berör grundläggande rättigheter och stöder unionen och medlemsstaterna att mer omfattande än hittills beakta de grundläggande rättigheterna inom EU-lagstiftningen och i annan verksamhet. Denna oberoende byrå samlar in, analyserar och sprider information om de grundläggande rättigheterna inom unionens rättsliga tillämpningsområde. Byrån publicerar exempelvis årligen en rapport om hur väl de grundläggande rättigheterna följs inom Europeiska unionen. Däremot hör de grundläggande rättigheterna i enskilda medlemsländer inte till byråns uppgifter. Byrån fortsätter det arbete som inleddes av Europeiska centrumet för övervakning av rasism och främlingsfientlighet i Wien. Byrån fungerar i nära samarbete med medborgarorganisationerna, av vilka den får nödvändiga uppgifter om hur de grundläggande rättigheterna följs. För detta samarbete inrättas ett speciellt organ, dvs. ett forum för grundläggande rättigheter. Ytterligare information: lagstiftningsrådet Päivi Leino-Sandberg (JM), gsm + 358 50 576 1575, och specialsakkunnig Joni Heliskoski (Finlands EU-representaion), gsm + 32 2 473 485 024 Back

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Date:

20.9.2006

End date: Date: 20 Sep 2006 – 21 Sep 2006 Place: 

Kuopio

Type of event: Muut kokoukset
Policy area:  Työllisyys, sosiaalipolitiikka, terveys ja kuluttaja-asiat

The purpose of the conference is to highlight ways in which population health can be improved through coherent action in sectors other than health sector. In practice this means that health arguments are taken into account in decision making with relevance to the determinants of health.

The meeting will serve as an opportunity to pool and exchange information, experiences and expertise on the principle of Health in All Policies. The best knowledge available at the current time will be presented – together with practical examples of good practices, including impact assessments.

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Date:

20.9.2006

Date finale: Date: 20 Sep 2006 – 21 Sep 2006 Lieu: 

Kuopio

Type d’événement: Autres réunions
Domaine politique:  Emploi, politique sociale, santé et consommateurs

The purpose of the conference is to highlight ways in which population health can be improved through coherent action in sectors other than health sector. In practice this means that health arguments are taken into account in decision making with relevance to the determinants of health.

The meeting will serve as an opportunity to pool and exchange information, experiences and expertise on the principle of Health in All Policies. The best knowledge available at the current time will be presented – together with practical examples of good practices, including impact assessments.

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Press release, Environment

10 Oct 2006, 12:30 en fr

A first ever meeting of the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council (PPC) in the environment ministers’ format convened in Helsinki on October 10. The PPC meeting confirmed the parties’ commitment to pursue priorities set out in the EU-Russia Common Economic Space roadmap, in order to foster sustainable development in Russia and the EU. The EU was represented by Minister Jan-Erik Enestam for the Presidency, Commissioner Stavros Dimas for the European Commission and State Secretary Matthias Machnig for the in-coming Presidency. The Russian Federation was represented by Mr Yuri Trutnev, Minister of Natural Resources, accompanied by senior directors representing various governmental institutions in Russia. Commissioner Dimas and Minister Trutnev signed terms of reference for establishing a Dialogue on Environment to implement the objectives and priorities indicated in the Road map of the EU-Russia Common Economic Space. These include respect for the environment, commitment to mutual international environmental agreements, fostering sustainable development and integrating environmental issues into all sectoral policies. The main items in the agenda of the meeting were the launch of the EU-Russia Dialogue on Environment, climate change, biodiversity and environment and economic development.The Environment Dialogue will focus on the following priority areas of cooperation: convergence of environmental policies, climate change, water and marine issues, biodiversity and nature protection, environmental impact assessment, forestry law enforcement, governance and conservation, cleaner production and pollution prevention. The EU and Russia emphasized the importance of climate change issues including Kyoto Protocol, Joint Implementation projects and post-2012 climate regime. The EU and Russia agreed to reinforce their cooperation in the Biodiversity Convention, nature protection and combating illegal logging. The PPC emphasized that environmental protection is an inseparable part of the increasing economic cooperation between EU and Russia, and underlined the importance of integrating environmental concerns in concrete economic projects. The EU and Russia welcomed the first meeting of the PPC on environment as reflecting the importance of environment in EU-Russia relations as a whole.

Terms of Reference for Establishing a Dialogue on Environmenment between The Ministry of Natural Resources of The Russian Federation and The Directorate General for Environment of The European Commission (pdf-file, 14 kb)

Background on co-operation between The EU and Russia (pdf-file, 17 kb)

A new basis for EU-Russian environmental co-operation

La première réunion du Conseil permanent de partenariat entre l’UE et la Russie, réunissant les ministres de l’environnement, s’est tenue le 10 octobre à Helsinki. La Réunion du CPP a permis de confirmer l’engagement des parties à poursuivre les priorités établies sur la feuille de route de l’Espace Economique Commun UE-Russie dans l’objectif de renforcer le développement durable en Russie et dans l’UE. L’UE était représentée par le Ministre Jan-Erik Enestam pour la Présidence, le Commissaire Stavros Dimas pour la Commission européenne et le Secrétaire d’Etat Matthias Machnig pour la Présidence suivante. La Fédération de Russie était représentée par M. Youri Trutnev, Ministre des ressources naturelles, accompagné de directeurs seniors représentant divers organismes publics russes. Le Commissaire Dimas et le Ministre Trutnev ont signé les termes de référence de l’établissement d’un Dialogue sur l’Environnement visant à mettre en application les objectifs et les priorités figurant sur la feuille de route de l’Espace économique européen commun UE-Russie. Ceux-ci comprennent le respect de l’environnement, l’engagement envers des accords environnementaux internationaux communs, le renforcement du développement durable et l’intégration des questions environnementales dans les politiques de tous les secteurs. Le lancement d’un Dialogue UE-Russie sur l’environnement, les changements climatiques, la biodiversité et l’environnement ainsi que le développement économique ont été les éléments principaux de l’ordre du jour de la réunion. Le Dialogue sur l’environnement sera centré sur les domaines de coopération prioritaires suivants: convergence des politiques environnementales, changements climatiques, questions relatives à l’eau et à la mer, biodiversité et la protection de la nature, évaluation de l’impact environnemental, mise en application des lois sur les forêts, gouvernance et préservation, une production plus propre et prévention de la pollution. L’UE et la Russie ont mis l’accent sur l’importance des questions liées aux changements climatiques, y compris le Protocole de Kyoto, la mise en uvre des projets conjoints et le régime relatif aux changements climatiques post 2012. L’UE et la Russie ont convenu de renforcer leur coopération dans le cadre de la Convention sur la biodiversité, la protection de la nature et la lutte contre l’abattage forestier illégal. Le CPP a souligné que la protection de l’environnement fait partie intégrante d’une coopération économique accrue entre l’UE et la Russie et a souligné l’importance de l’intégration des préoccupations environnementales dans les projets économiques concrets. L’UE et la Russie sont satisfaits de la tenue de la première réunion du CPP sur l’environnement, en ce qu’elle traduit l’importance de l’environnement dans les relations générales entre l’UE et la Russie.

Terms of Reference for Establishing a Dialogue on Environmenment between The Ministry of Natural Resources of The Russian Federation and The Directorate General for Environment of The European Commission (pdf-file, 14 kb)

Background on co-operation between The EU and Russia (pdf-file, 17 kb)

Nouvelles bases pour la coopération entre L’union Européenne et la Russie dans le domaine de l}environnement

Russian version: Background on co-operation between The EU and Russia (pdf-file, 64 kb)

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Date:

20.10.2006

End date: Date: 20 Oct 2006 Venue: 

Lahti

Type of event: Other meetings
Policy area:  Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs

Further information

• Other document, 20 Oct 2006, 15:37 en fr
  Transcript of the press conference for the Informal Tripartite Social Summit
• Speech, 20 Oct 2006, 11:30 en
  Speech by the Managing Director for the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, Jussi Järventaus, at the Informal Tripartite Social Summit
• Press release, 20 Oct 2006, 12:11 en fr de fi sv
  The Social Summit discusses flexicurity
• Speech, 20 Oct 2006, 12:45 fi
  Ministeri Tuula Haatainen: Työ- ja perhe-elämän yhteensovittaminen on osa joustoturvaa
• Press release, 11 Oct 2006, 16:04 en fr de fi sv
  EU Heads of State or Government to meet in Lahti on 20 October
• Press release, 11 Oct 2006, 16:11 en fr de fi sv
  Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti on 20 October
• Other document, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 en
  Invitation for Secretary General of the Council, Javier Solana, to attend the Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti
• Other document, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 en
  Invitation for President, Cándido Méndez, and to General Secretary, John Monks, to attend the Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti
• Other document, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 de
  Einladung zur Teilnahme am informellen Dreigliedrigen Sozialgipfel, Lahti (Finnland), 20. Oktober 2006 (Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel)
• Other document, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 en
  Invitation for President of UNICE, Ernest Antoine Seillière, to attend the Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti
• Other document, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 pt
  Convite para participar na Cimeira Social Tripartida Informal, Lahti (Finlândia), 20 de Outubro de 2006 (Primeiro Ministro Engenheiro José Sócrates)
• Other document, 11 Oct 2006, 11:29 en
  Managing change through flexicurity – towards more and better jobs in Europe
• Other document, 19 Sep 2006, 16:07 en fr de fi sv
  Information on the Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti

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[site.event.date]

20.10.2006

[site.event.enddate] [site.event.date] 20 Oct 2006 [site.event.place] 

Lahti

[site.event.typeof] [cms.siteDefault.event_type.othermeetings]
[site.event.policy]  Beschäftigung, Sozialpolitik, Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz

Weitere Infos

• Anderes Dokument, 20 Oct 2006, 15:37 en fr
  Transcript of the press conference for the Informal Tripartite Social Summit
• Rede, 20 Oct 2006, 11:30 en
  Speech by the Managing Director for the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, Jussi Järventaus, at the Informal Tripartite Social Summit
• Pressemitteilung, 20 Oct 2006, 12:11 en fr de fi sv
  Sozialgipfel debattierte über flexible Sicherheit
• Rede, 20 Oct 2006, 12:45 fi
  Ministeri Tuula Haatainen: Työ- ja perhe-elämän yhteensovittaminen on osa joustoturvaa
• Pressemitteilung, 11 Oct 2006, 16:04 en fr de fi sv
  Treffen der europäischen Staats- und Regierungschefs in Lahti, 20. Oktober
• Pressemitteilung, 11 Oct 2006, 16:11 en fr de fi sv
  Informeller Dreier-Sozialgipfel in Lahti, 20. Oktober
• Anderes Dokument, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 en
  Invitation for Secretary General of the Council, Javier Solana, to attend the Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti
• Anderes Dokument, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 en
  Invitation for President, Cándido Méndez, and to General Secretary, John Monks, to attend the Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti
• Anderes Dokument, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 de
  Einladung zur Teilnahme am informellen Dreigliedrigen Sozialgipfel, Lahti (Finnland), 20. Oktober 2006 (Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel)
• Anderes Dokument, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 en
  Invitation for President of UNICE, Ernest Antoine Seillière, to attend the Informal Tripartite Social Summit in Lahti
• Anderes Dokument, 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 pt
  Convite para participar na Cimeira Social Tripartida Informal, Lahti (Finlândia), 20 de Outubro de 2006 (Primeiro Ministro Engenheiro José Sócrates)
• Anderes Dokument, 11 Oct 2006, 11:29 en
  Managing change through flexicurity – towards more and better jobs in Europe
• Anderes Dokument, 19 Sep 2006, 16:07 en fr de fi sv
  Informeller Dreier-Sozialgipfel in Lahti

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Speech, General Affairs and External Relations

21 Nov 2006, 12:01 en

Informal meeting of Ministers for Regional Policy Brussels, 21 November 2006 Hannes Manninen, Minister of Regional and Municipal Affairs Dear colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, This meeting of Ministers for Regional Policy will discuss how innovation and competitiveness can be promoted through EU Cohesion Policy programmes. I am planning to focus on three topics which are the synergy between EU Cohesion Policy and Lisbon Strategy, regional policies in support of innovations and the exchange of experience between regions. The preparations for the reform of EU Cohesion Policy reached an intensive phase in summer 2004 after the Commission adopted its proposals for the new regulations on Cohesion Policy. The Interinstitutional Agreement on the Financial Perspective was adopted this spring, and the legal framework for the next programming period came into force in late summer. Member States are currently finalising their national strategies and programmes. So everything indicates that we are right on schedule to start a new programming period. Three out of the five regulations governing Cohesion Policy were subject to the codecision procedure, and in fact, the whole process was carried out in close cooperation between the institutions. A broad consensus was reached on the regulations, and the outcome was a joint decision made by the institutions. Thanks to in-depth discussions, the regulations are now probably clearer for those implementing the programmes than during the previous programming periods. Before I go any further, I would like to thank all those who were involved in this constructive cooperation. I would especially like to thank the representatives of the European Commission, the Council’s Working Party on Structural Actions and the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament as they have assumed the main responsibility for the success of the reform and for its implementation as scheduled. Special thanks are also due to the previous Presidencies Austria, the United Kingdom, Luxemburg and the Netherlands for their significant contribution to this joint project. Ladies and gentlemen, In the forthcoming programming period, EU Cohesion Policy resources will be allocated more directly to promoting competitiveness, growth and employment in the Community as set out in the renewed Lisbon strategy. This link should be evident in the strategic priorities for the forthcoming programming period. Strengthening European competitiveness through innovation policy is a key priority for Finland during its Presidency. For this reason, we have invited you here today to discuss what promoting innovation and competitiveness through Cohesion Policy programmes means in practice. At our request, the Commission has produced an analysis for this meeting of how the promotion of innovation is reflected in the National Strategic Reference Frameworks which guide the preparation of the new generation of programmes. The Commission’s observations are encouraging. The promotion of innovation plays a stronger role in the Member States’ objectives when compared to the previous periods. The challenge now is to translate these strategic objectives into effective practical measures. As you all know, the resources of Cohesion Policy account for one third of the EU budget for the new financing period. Cohesion Policy programmes are thus the principal instrument for realising the Lisbon objectives in terms of their financial volume. Reports will be made on Cohesion Policy measures as part of monitoring progress on the Lisbon strategy, and this will raise a wider political interest in the use of these resources. The regulations on Cohesion Policy lay down provisions on the categorisation of measures taken to implement programmes. The categorisation is based on the type of measures. I would encourage you to make sure that your government contributes to producing this information. The categorisation of expenditure sounds like an administrative routine. Nevertheless, I want to draw attention to this fact because reliable monitoring information is important particularly to us political decision makers. We must have an EU-wide picture of how Cohesion Policy is implemented so that we can engage in a serious discussion on how EU resources could best be used to achieve the Lisbon strategy objectives. Ladies and gentlemen, We speak a lot about how important it is to promote innovation. But what is essential to the development of regions is to be able to transform new innovations into commercial products – products which are the best in their field with a large part of their value chain in the EU. Investing in research and development is simply not enough; there is also a clear need for close cooperation between enterprises, research and development organisations, and public sector actors. To illustrate my point, I would like to give you an example from my home region in northern Finland. In 1976, Seppo Säynäjäkangas, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Oulu, ran into a sportsman while out cross-country skiing. This man was worried whether he was training too hard because his heart was beating like a drum. He wondered whether it was possible to measure heart rate during exercise as easily as one looks at his watch. Professor Säynäjäkangas was fascinated by this idea, and the following year the first prototype of a wireless heart-rate monitor was being tested on the ski tracks of northern Finland. Nowadays, this innovation is popular among sports enthusiasts all over the world. The monitor developed by Professor Säynäjäkangas has thus become a global brand. I want to give the heads of delegations such a monitor as a present so that you can learn more about this innovation. You will find the device on the table in front of you. It will be interesting to see how high your heart rate will go during today’s debate. Distinguished audience, The example I just gave you proves that innovations arise when experts from different fields meet each other. However, new ideas alone are not enough; their development into commercial products calls for close cooperation between a large number of actors. This is the challenge in implementing innovation policy, but at the same time it is also an opportunity for us Europeans. By international standards, we have a well-educated labour force and functioning institutions. This makes it possible to carry out effective public policy measures aimed at promoting innovation. The commitment of private businesses in cooperation and funding is also necessary. National as well as EU policies related to research, education and technology define the framework for activities, but development and innovation require that actors are situated nearby and are in close interaction with each other. Regional level measures are crucial in achieving the EU’s competitiveness objectives. EU Cohesion Policy programmes can be used to support regional innovation policy measures. This way they give a significant boost to the EU’s competitiveness. In Finland, the most important instrument of regional innovation policy is the Centre of Expertise Programme, which has been implemented since the 1990s. Centres of expertise are a forum created in selected fields ofexpertise that key actors can use to build and strengthen mutual cooperation. The aim is to support, throughout the country, the development of expertise which helps us to maintain competitive advantage internationally. Relatively small public investments have made it possible to significantly promote cooperation between enterprises, research and development organisations, and the public sector. The good results are down to confidence and trust which have been borne out of close mutual cooperation between regional actors. Most enterprises participating in the Centre of Expertise Programme are primarily competing at the global markets. Thus there are no hinders for cooperation at regional level. The European Policies Research Centre has prepared a background paper for this meeting. The paper presents a series of case studies from EU Member States, illustrating how regional innovation policy is being promoted in selected countries. I hope this paper will inspire you when planning your own range of methods for the forthcoming programming period. Dear colleagues, With enlargement, the disparities within the EU have increased. There seems to be a broad consensus that all regions should be able to keep pace with development and that their competitiveness in the global economy must be supported. This requires that the exchange of knowledge and best practice between regions be further improved. The Commission has proposed that in the next programming period the new initiative called ’Regions for Economic Change’ be applied in programmes used to facilitate the exchange of experience. You received the Commission Communication on this initiative together with other meeting documents. Commissioner Hbner will later tell you more about this initiative so I will not go into any further detail. I hope that at this meeting you will express your opinion on the key principles included in the Commission’s initiative. However, we do not need to discuss technical details at this meeting as that is thetask of the Joint Programming Committee where both Member States and the Commission are represented. Ladies and gentlemen, As I have already mentioned, the theme of this meeting is the utilisation of Cohesion Policy programmes in promoting innovation and competitiveness. In my speech, I have tried to cover those themes on which I hope you focus in your contributions. These are synergy between Cohesion Policy and the Lisbon strategy, regional-level measures for promoting innovation and the exchange of experience between regions. At first, we will hear the contributions of the Commissioners responsible for Cohesion Policy, Professor Hbner and Doctor Spidla, followed by the comments of the Member States. In the afternoon, we will continue with the contributions on the same theme given by representatives of the Member States. After this we will give the floor to the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions. There will be time for open debate both in the morning and afternoon. At the end of the meeting, I will summarise our discussion. In the afternoon, you will be given draft Presidency conclusions. I would like to underline, however, that this is an informal meeting where Council decisions are not made. Thus, the conclusions represent the Presidency’s views on the discussion. Finally, I would like to thank you for accepting my invitation to come here to discuss this topical issue. I am sure that we will have a fruitful meeting. Thank you for your attention. Back

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Press release, General Affairs and External Relations

18 Sep 2006, 16:07 en fi sv

A Northern Dimension Senior Officials Meeting will take place in Imatra on 22 September. The topics on the agenda are: revision of the Northern Dimension policy so that it becomes a joint policy of the European Union, the Russian Federation, Norway and Iceland; and the effects of the policy reform on Northern Dimension cooperation. Negotiations on a framework document for the new Northern Dimension policy between the EU, the Russian Federation, Norway and Iceland are nearing conclusion. The intention is to gain approval for the framework document at the political level during the Finnish Presidency, in November 2006. The Senior Officials Meeting will be chaired by Under-Secretary of State Pekka Huhtaniemi of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The EU Member States and the Commission, the Russian Federation, Norway and Iceland as well as the observer countries, i.e. Canada and the United States, the Northern regional councils (the Council of Baltic Sea States, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, the Arctic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers), international financial institutes active in the region and certain EU institutions will all be represented at the meeting. The Northern Dimension is an element of the EU’s external relations and cross-border policy. Its aim is to increase cooperation in Northern Europe between the EU, The Russian Federation and other countries in the region. The Northern Dimension Ministerial Meeting decided in November 2005 to open a new phase of this policy, developing it into a joint policy shared by the EU and the countries of the region. It was also agreed to bind the Northern Dimension as part of regional cooperation between the European Union and the The Russian Federation. In line with the Ministerial Meeting’s decisions, the EU, The Russian Federation, Norway and Iceland launched negotiations, in spring 2006, on a new joint framework document which is intended to enter into force at the start of 2007 when the current Northern Dimension Action Plan expires. The objective of the new joint policy is to strengthen all parties’ commitment to the Northern Dimension and to promote the cooperation in practice carried out within its sphere. Additional information: Maimo Henriksson, Director of the Unit for the Northern Dimension of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 6186, mobile tel. +358 40 527 3821; and Counsellor Marja-Leena Vuorenpää, tel. +358 9 1605 5627, mobile tel. + 358 40 861 7135 Pohjoisen ulottuvuuden (PU) virkamieskokous pidetään Imatralla 22. syyskuuta. Kokouksen aiheena ovat pohjoisen ulottuvuuden politiikan uudistuminen EU:n, Venäjän, Norjan ja Islannin yhteiseksi politiikaksi ja uudistuksen vaikutukset PU:n käytännön yhteistyöhön. EU:n, Venäjän, Norjan ja Islannin väliset uuden PU-kehysasiakirjan neuvottelut ovat loppusuoralla. Asiakirja on tarkoitus hyväksyä poliittisella tasolla Suomen EU-puheenjohtajakaudella marraskuussa 2006. Virkamieskokouksen puheenjohtajana toimii alivaltiosihteeri Pekka Huhtaniemi Suomen ulkoministeriöstä. Kokoukseen osallistuvat EU:n jäsenmaiden ja komission lisäksi Venäjä, Norja ja Islanti, tarkkailijamaat Kanada ja Yhdysvallat, pohjoiset alueneuvostot (Itämeren valtioiden neuvosto, Barentsin euroarktinen neuvosto, Arktinen neuvosto ja Pohjoismaiden ministerineuvosto), alueella toimivat kansainväliset rahoituslaitokset sekä eräät EU-instituutiot. Pohjoinen ulottuvuus on osa EU:n ulkosuhde- ja rajat ylittävää politiikkaa. Sen tavoitteena on lisätä EU:n, Venäjän ja muiden alueen maiden välistä yhteistyötä Pohjois-Euroopassa. Pohjoisen ulottuvuuden ministerikokous päätti marraskuussa 2005 pohjoisen ulottuvuuden kehittämisestä EU:n ja alueen maiden yhteiseksi politiikaksi. Samalla päätettiin pohjoisen ulottuvuuden kytkemisestä EU:n ja Venäjän välisen yhteistyön alueelliseksi osaksi. Ministerikokouksen päätösten pohjalta EU, Venäjä, Norja ja Islanti aloittivat keväällä 2006 neuvottelut pohjoisen ulottuvuuden uudesta yhteisestä kehysasiakirjasta, jonka on tarkoitus astua voimaan vuoden 2007 alussa nykyisen EU:n pohjoisen ulottuvuuden toimintaohjelman voimassaoloajan umpeuduttua. Uuden yhteisen politiikan tavoitteena on kaikkien osapuolten sitoutumisen vahvistaminen pohjoiseen ulottuvuuteen ja sen puitteissa tehtävän käytännön yhteistyön edistäminen. Lisätietoja: pohjoisen ulottuvuuden yksikön päällikkö Maimo Henriksson, puh. 09 1605 6186, ja lähetystöneuvos Marja-Leena Vuorenpää, puh. 09 1605 5627 Ett tjänstemannamöte om den nordliga dimensionen (ND) hålls i Imatra den 22 september. Mötets teman är reformeringen av den nordliga dimensionen till en gemensam politik för EU, Ryssland, Norge och Island samt reformeringens inverkan på det praktiska ND-samarbetet. Förhandlingarna mellan EU, Ryssland, Norge och Island om ett nytt ND-ramdokument är inne i slutskedet. Avsikten är att anta dokumentet på politisk nivå under Finlands EU-ordförandeskap i november 2006. Ordförande för tjänstemannamötet är understatssekreterare Pekka Huhtaniemi från Finlands utrikesministerium. I mötet deltar förutom EU:s medlemsländer och kommissionen även Ryssland, Norge och Island, observatörsländerna Kanada och USA, de nordliga regionala råden (Östersjöstaternas råd, Barentsrådet, Arktiska rådet och Nordiska ministerrådet), internationella finansinstitut med verksamhet i området och vissa EU-institutioner. Den nordliga dimensionen är en del av EU:s externa och gränsöverskridande politik. Dess syfte är att öka samarbetet mellan EU, Ryssland och övriga länder i Nordeuropa. Den nordliga dimensionens ministermöte beslutade i november 2005 att utveckla den nordliga dimensionen till en gemensam politik för EU och länderna i regionen. Samtidigt fattades beslut om att göra den nordliga dimensionen till en regional del av EU:s samarbete med Ryssland. På basis av ministermötets beslut inledde EU, Ryssland, Norge och Island våren 2006 förhandlingar om ett nytt gemensamt ramdokument för den nordliga dimensionen, som skall träda i kraft i början av 2007 då det nuvarande handlingsprogrammet för EU:s nordliga dimension löper ut. Syftet med den nya gemensamma politiken är att stärka alla parters engagemang i den nordliga dimensionen och främja det praktiska ND-samarbetet. Närmare upplysningar: chefen för enheten för den nordliga dimensionen Maimo Henriksson, tfn 09 1605 6186, och ambassadrådet Marja-Leena Vuorenpää, tfn 09 1605 5627 Back

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