Author: Dale Simmmons

CFSP statement, General Affairs and External Relations

27 Jul 2006, 12:06 en fr fi sv

The European Union expresses its serious concern about the deteriorating situation with regard to the freedom of expression and the status of human rights defenders in Iran. The EU calls on Iran to implement fully its international human rights obligations, notably those contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides that everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which guarantees the right to form and join trade unions.  Notwithstanding these international obligations, the EU has noted with concern a number of recent cases where human rights defenders, including lawyers and labour protesters, have been detained or sentenced to lengthy prison terms as a result of the peaceful exercise of their rights.

According to information received, Mr Abdolfattah Soltani, a prominent human rights lawyer, was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of deprivation of civil rights on the grounds of revealing classified information and publicizing anti-regime propaganda. This sentence was taken by a penal revolutionary tribunal, behind closed doors. The EU only recognizes the judiciary decisions taken after a fair and public trial conducted by an impartial and independent tribunal established by law. Mr Ali-Akbar Mousavi Khoeini, a former member of the Majlis, was arrested during a demonstration in support of women´s rights on 12 June, and continues to be in solitary confinement and reportedly without proper access to legal representation and in poor health. Two lawyers Farshid Yadollahi and Omid Behrouzi who acted in human rights relevant cases on behalf of Sufis in Qom, have now themselves received sentences to one year in prison, 74 strokes of the lash and fines. In addition, the EU has received information on the recent arrests of nine labour protesters in Tehran in the context of a peaceful demonstration for allegedly disturbing public order. The EU calls on Iran to refrain from punishing individuals for peacefully exercising their rights as guaranteed in international human rights conventions, including the right to freedom of expression.

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, 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 se déclare vivement préoccupée par la détérioration de la situation en ce qui concerne la liberté d’expression et le sort des défenseurs des droits de l’homme en Iran. L’UE demande à l’Iran de respecter pleinement ses obligations internationales en matière de droits de l’homme, en particulier celles qui figurent dans le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques, en vertu duquel toute personne a droit à la liberté d’expression, et dans le Pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels, qui garantit le droit de former un syndicat et de s’y affilier. L’UE a pris connaissance avec préoccupation de plusieurs cas récents où, malgré ces obligations internationales, des défenseurs des droits de l’homme – et notamment des avocats et des personnes dénonçant des atteintes aux droits des travailleurs – ont été arrêtés ou condamnés à de longues peines d’emprisonnement après avoir exercé leurs droits de manière pacifique.

Selon les informations reçues, M. Abdolfattah Soltani, un éminent avocat spécialiste des droits de l’homme, a été condamné à cinq ans de prison et cinq ans d’interdiction de droits civils parce qu’il aurait divulgué des informations classifiées et diffusé de la propagande hostile au régime. Cette peine a été prononcée à huis clos par un tribunal révolutionnaire pénal. L’UE ne reconnaît que les décisions judiciaires rendues au terme d’un procès équitable et public mené par un tribunal impartial et indépendant établi par la loi. M. Ali Akbar Mousavi Khoeini, ancien membre du Majlis, a été arrêté le 12 juin lors d’une manifestation en faveur des droits des femmes; maintenu au secret, il n’aurait pas accès aux services d’un avocat et serait en mauvaise santé. Deux avocats, Farshid Yadollahi et Omid Behrouzi, qui sont intervenus dans des affaires importantes de droits de l’homme au nom des soufis de Qom, ont maintenant été condamnés eux-mêmes à un an de prison, à 74 coups de fouet et à des amendes. En outre, l’UE a reçu des informations sur l’arrestation récente à Téhéran, dans le cadre d’une manifestation pacifique, de neuf personnes dénonçant des atteintes aux droits des travailleurs, qui auraient troublé l’ordre public. L’UE invite l’Iran à s’abstenir de punir des personnes qui ont exercé de manière pacifique des droits garantis par les conventions internationales sur les droits de l’homme, et notamment le droit à la liberté d’expression.

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,  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 ilmaisee vakavan huolensa tilanteen huonontumisesta Iranissa sananvapauden ja ihmisoikeuksien puolustajien aseman osalta. EU kehottaa Irania panemaan täysimääräisesti täytäntöön kansainväliset ihmisoikeusvelvoitteensa, erityisesti kansalaisoikeuksia ja poliittisia oikeuksia koskevaan kansainväliseen yleissopimukseen sisältyvät velvoitteet, joiden mukaan jokaisella on oikeus sananvapauteen, sekä taloudellisia, sosiaalisia ja sivistyksellisiä oikeuksia koskevaan kansainväliseen yleissopimukseen sisältyvät velvoitteet, joissa taataan ammatillinen yhdistymisvapaus. Näistä kansainvälisistä velvoitteista huolimatta EU on pannut huolestuneena merkille useita viimeaikaisia tapauksia, joissa ihmisoikeuksien puolustajia, myös lakimiehiä ja työoikeuksien puolustajia, on pidätetty tai tuomittu pitkiin vankeusrangaistuksiin oikeuksiensa rauhanomaisen harjoittamisen takia.

Saatujen tietojen mukaan Abdolfattah Soltani, huomattava ihmisoikeusasianajaja, on tuomittu viideksi vuodeksi vankeuteen ja viideksi vuodeksi menettämään kansalaisoikeutensa sillä perusteella, että hän on paljastanut salaisiksi luokiteltuja tietoja ja julkaissut hallituksenvastaista propagandaa. Tämän tuomion antoi suljettujen ovien takana kokoontunut rikosasioita käsittelevä vallankumoustuomioistuin. EU tunnustaa ainoastaan sellaiset tuomiot, jotka on annettu lain mukaan perustetussa puolueettomassa ja riippumattomassa tuomioistuimessa käydyn oikeudenmukaisen ja julkisen oikeudenkäynnin jälkeen. Entinen parlamentin (Majlis) jäsen Ali-Akbar Mousavi Khoeini pidätettiin naisten oikeuksien tukemiseksi järjestetyn mielenosoituksen aikana 12. kesäkuuta, ja hän on edelleen eristyksissä ja saatujen tietojen mukaan vailla asianmukaista mahdollisuutta oikeudelliseen edustukseen, ja hänen terveydentilansa on heikko. Kaksi asianajajaa, Farshid Yadollahi ja Omid Behrouzi, jotka työskentelivät ihmisoikeuksia koskevissa asioissa sufien puolesta Qomissa, ovat nyt itse saaneet yhden vuoden vankilatuomion, 74 ruoskaniskua ja sakkoja. Lisäksi EU on saanut tietoja viimeaikaisesta yhdeksän työoikeuksien puolustajan pidätyksestä Teheranissa rauhanomaisen mielenosoituksen yhteydessä, koska he väitteiden mukaan häiritsivät yleistä järjestystä. EU kehottaa Irania pidättymään yksittäisten henkilöiden rankaisemisesta, kun nämä rauhanomaisesti käyttävät kansainvälisissä ihmisoikeusyleissopimuksissa taattuja oikeuksiaan, myös sananvapauttaan.

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,  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. Pressmeddelande 262/200627.7.2006Europeiska unionen uttrycker sin allvarliga oro över den försämrade situationen för yttrandefriheten och människorättsförsvararnas ställning i Iran. EU uppmanar Iran att fullgöra sina skyldigheter när det gäller de mänskliga rättigheterna, särskilt de som ingår i den internationella konventionen om medborgerliga och politiska rättigheter, som föreskriver att var och en skall ha rätt till yttrandefrihet, och den internationella konventionen om ekonomiska, sociala och kulturella rättigheter, som garanterar rätten att bilda fackföreningar och att bli medlem i dessa. Trots dessa internationella skyldigheter har EU med oro noterat ett antal nyligen inträffade fall där människorättsförsvarare, inklusive advokater och demonstranter för arbetstagares rättigheter, gripits eller dömts till långvariga fängelsestraff som en följd av att de fredligt utövat sina rättigheter.

Enligt information som mottagits har Abdolfattah Soltani, en framstående advokat inom området mänskliga rättigheter, dömts till ett femårigt fängelsestraff och fem års förlust av sina medborgerliga rättigheter på grund av att han avslöjat hemlig information och offentliggjort regimkritisk propaganda. Domen avkunnades av en revolutionär brottsdomstol bakom stängda dörrar. EU erkänner bara rättsliga avgöranden efter en rättvis och offentlig rättegång som genomförs av en oavhängig och oberoende domstol inrättad enligt lag. Ali Akbar Mousavi Khoeiniha, en tidigare medlem av Majlis, greps under en demonstration till stöd för kvinnors rättigheter den 12 juni och sitter fortfarande isolerad och, enligt rapporter, utan riktig tillgång till rättsligt biträde och med dålig hälsa. Två advokater Farshid Yadollahi och Omid Behrouzi, som arbetade med MR fall för Sufis i Qom, har nu själva dömts till ett år i fängelse, 74 piskrapp och böter. EU har dessutom fått information om att nio demonstranter för arbetstagares rättigheter nyligen gripits i Teheran i samband med en fredlig demonstration för att de påståtts ha stört allmän ordning. EU uppmanar Iran att upphöra med bestraffning av enskilda personer som fredligt utövar sina rättigheter som de garanteras i internationella överenskommelser om mänskliga rättigheter, inklusive rätten till yttrandefrihet.

De anslutande länderna Bulgarien och Rumänien, kandidatländerna Turkiet och Kroatien* och f.d. jugoslaviska republiken Makedonien*, de potentiella kandidatländerna i stabiliserings  och associeringsprocessen Albanien, Bosnien och Hercegovina, 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. 

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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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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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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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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Press release, Transport, Telecommunications and Energy, Finland´s EU Presidency

23 Oct 2006, 10:04 en fr de fi sv

Networked Business and Government – Something Real for the Lisbon Strategy – a two-day conference started on Monday 23 October in Helsinki. The main aim of the conference, which is part of the official programme of Finland’s EU Presidency, is to find concrete means to achieve the objectives set by the Lisbon Strategy. A total of about 200 specialists from the public sector, research institutes and businesses of various EU countries participate in the conference. The conference focuses on cooperation between public and private sectors, digitalisation of business, enhancing productivity, reform of the innovation system, and information society development in public administration. The speakers of the conference will also shed some light also concrete measures to boost European competitiveness. Among the Finnish key speakers are Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, President of the Finnish National Fund of Research and Development, Sitra, Esko Aho and Governor of the Bank of Finland Erkki Liikanen. During the first day, Mr Esko Aho will speak about European competitiveness and challenges of innovation policy from the perspective of the Hampton Court report. Practical examples will introduce some public administration reforms in Europe. In his second day opening speech Prime Minister Vanhanen will emphasise that the strengthening of European competitiveness is our common challenge. Responding to this challenge requires investment in research and development, efficient utilisation of ICT, and broad-based cooperation in many areas. Attendants of the conference have an opportunity to affect the proceedings interactively through three online votes that utilise the Response system – a wireless audience response and voting system. The audience can choose their own favourites among the concrete measures to boost European competitiveness proposed by the speakers. The vote also contributes to the aim of the conference: finding concrete means and measures to achieve the Lisbon Strategy objectives. A panel discussion will be organised at the end of the conference to sum up the results of the conference and the vote. The discussion is central to the preparation of the conclusions of the conference which will form a Helsinki Manifest to be submitted to the forthcoming EU Presidencies, Germany and Portugal, and to the European Commission. The conference has been organised in cooperation with the Finnish Government Information Society Programme, the Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research (CKIR) of the Helsinki School of Economics, the European Commission and several businesses. Further information: Katrina Harjuhahto-Madetoja, Programme Director, tel. +358 9 1602 2363 and Susanna Hyvärinen, Programme Coordinator, tel. +358 9 1602 3405 (practical arrangements), Office of the Government Information Society Programme, and Päivi Paasikoski (media arrangements), Government Communications Unit, tel. +358 9 1602 2082

Conference programme

Le lundi 23 octobre s’ouvrira à Helsinki, au Palais des États, une conférence de deux jours intitulée Networked Business and Government – Something Real for the Lisbon Strategy. Programmée dans le cadre de la Présidence finlandaise de l’Union européenne, cette conférence visera essentiellement à rechercher par quelles mesures concrètes atteindre les objectifs de la stratégie de Lisbonne. Elle réunira quelque 200 experts du secteur public, de la recherche et du monde des entreprises, issus des différents pays de l’Union européenne. Les thèmes inscrits à l’ordre du jour sont la coopération entre secteurs public et privé, le passage des entreprises à l’ère numérique, l’augmentation de la productivité, la réforme du régime d’innovation et le développement de la société de l’information dans les administrations publiques. À tour de rôle, les orateurs donneront aussi leur éclairage personnel sur les mesures concrètes qui permettraient de renforcer la compétitivité européenne. Le Premier ministre, Matti Vanhanen, le président du Fonds national finlandais pour la recherche et le développement (Sitra), Esko Aho, et le gouverneur de la Banque de Finlande, Erkki Liikanen, compteront parmi les personnalités qui interviendront pour la Finlande. Le premier jour, Esko Aho prendra la parole sur la compétitivité européenne et les défis de la politique d’innovation, à la lumière du rapport Hampton Court. Certaines réformes de l’administration publique mises en œuvre en Europe seront également présentées au moyen d’exemples concrets. Le deuxième jour, Matti Vanhanen soulignera, dans son discours d’ouverture, quel défi commun représente le renforcement de la compétitivité européenne. Le relever suppose de mettre l’accent sur la recherche et le développement, de tirer efficacement parti des technologies de l’information et de la communication et d’instaurer une coopération étendue dans de nombreux domaines. L’assistance aura la possibilité d’influer sur le cours de la conférence, grâce à trois dispositifs de vote en ligne utilisant le système Response – soit un système de participation interactive et de vote sans fil. Par leur vote, les participants pourront choisir celles des mesures proposées par les intervenants pour doper la compétitivité européenne qui leur semblent les plus appropriées. Ce vote contribuera ainsi à ce que la conférence atteigne son but : déterminer les mesures concrètes par lesquelles réaliser les objectifs de la stratégie de Lisbonne. La conférence se clôturera par un panel de discussion, où sera dressé un bilan des débats et des votes. Ce panel jouera un rôle fondamental dans la rédaction des conclusions, lesquelles seront rassemblées dans un «manifeste de Helsinki» qui sera ensuite communiqué aux prochaines Présidences de l’UE (allemande et portugaise), ainsi qu’à la Commission européenne. La conférence est une initiative commune du programme du gouvernement finlandais pour la société de l’information, du Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research de la Haute École de Commerce de Helsinki, de la Commission européenne et de différentes entreprises. Pour en savoir, plus veuillez contacter : Katrina Harjuhahto-Madetoja, directrice de programme, tél. +358 9 1602 2363 (questions de fond) ou Susanna Hyvärinen, coordinatrice de programme, tél. +358 9 1602 3405 (modalités pratiques), au bureau du programme du gouvernement pour la société de l’information, ou Päivi Paasikoski (contact médias), à l’unité « Communication » du gouvernement, tél. +358 9 1602 2082.

L’ordre du jour de la conférence

Im Helsinkier Ständehaus begann am 23. Oktober ein zweitägiges Seminar unter dem Titel Networked Business and Government – Something Real for the Lisbon Strategy statt. Hauptziel des im Rahmen des Programms der finnischen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft organisierten Seminars ist es, konkrete Maßnahmen zur Umsetzung der Lissabon-Strategie zu finden. An ihm nehmen rund 200 Sachverständige aus den EU-Staaten teil, Vertreter des öffentlichen Sektors, aus Forschung und Wirtschaft. Seminarthemen sind die Zusammenarbeit zwischen öffentlichem und privatem Sektor, die Digitalisierung von Geschäftsprozessen, die Verbesserung der Produktivität sowie die informationsgesellschaftliche Entwicklung der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Die Seminarredner tragen in ihren Beiträgen auch konkrete Ideen für die Förderung der europäischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit vor. Zu den finnischen Rednern gehören Ministerpräsident Matti Vanhanen, Esko Aho, Präsident des Finnischen Nationalfonds für Forschung und Entwicklung (Sitra), und Erkki Liikanen, Generaldirektor der Bank von Finnland. Esko Aho referiert über die europäische Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und die Herausforderungen der Innovationspolitik aus der Perspektive des »Hampton Court«-Berichts. Außerdem werden anhand von konkreten Beispielen u.a. Reformen in den öffentlichen Verwaltungen europäischer Staaten vorgestellt. In seiner Rede am zweiten Seminartag streicht Ministerpräsident Vanhanen heraus, dass die Verbesserung der europäischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit eine gemeinsame Herausforderung ist, die Investitionen in Forschung und Entwicklung, eine wirksame Nutzung von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik sowie eine breite und sektorenübergreifende Zusammenarbeit verlangt. Das Publikum hat die Möglichkeit, bei drei Online-Abstimmungen interaktiv Einfluss auf den Verlauf des Seminars zu nehmen. Dabei kommt das drahtlose Response™-Feedbacksystem zum Einsatz. Die Seminarteilnehmer wählen bei den Abstimmungen unter den vorgestellten Ideen zur Verbesserung der europäischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit diejenigen aus, die sie am meisten überzeugen. Die Abstimmung dient somit auch dem Seminarziel, konkrete Instrumente und Maßnahmen zur Umsetzung der Lissabon-Strategie zu finden. Den Abschluss des Seminars bildet eine Podiumsdiskussion, bei der die Ergebnisse des Seminars und der Abstimmungen zusammengefasst werden. Die Diskussion stellt ein wesentliches Element in der Ausarbeitung der Schlussfolgerungen für das Seminar dar. Die Schlussfolgerungen werden zu einem »Helsinki-Manifest« zusammengefasst, das den Ratspräsidenten Deutschland und Portugal sowie der EU-Kommission ausgehändigt wird. Das Seminar wird in Zusammenarbeit zwischen dem Programm Informationsgesellschaft der finnischen Regierung, des Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research (CKIR) der Helsinki School of Economics, der Europäischen Kommission und etlicher Unternehmen ausgerichtet. Nähere Information: Programmleiterin Katrina Harjuhahto-Madetoja (Fragen zum Inhalt), Tel. +358 9 1602 2363 und Planerin Susanna Hyvärinen (praktische Arrangements), Tel. +358 9 1602 3405, Büro des Programms Informationsgesellschaft, sowie Päivi Paasikoski (Pressearrangements), Leiterin Information und Kommunikation, Referat für Regierungskommunikation, Tel. +358 9 1602 2082

Das Seminarprogramm

Helsingin Säätytalossa alkoi maanantaina 23. lokakuuta kaksipäiväinen Networked Business and Government – Something Real for the Lisbon Strategy -konferenssi. Osana Suomen puheenjohtajakauden ohjelmaa järjestettävän konferenssin päätavoitteena on löytää konkreettisia toimenpiteitä Lissabonin strategian tavoitteiden toteuttamiseksi. Tilaisuuteen osallistuu noin 200 EU-maiden asiantuntijaa julkiselta sektorilta, tutkimuslaitoksista sekä yritysmaailmasta. Konferenssin teemoja ovat julkisen ja yksityisen sektorin yhteistyö, liiketoimintojen sähköistäminen, tuottavuuden lisääminen, innovaatiojärjestelmän uudistaminen ja julkishallinnon tietoyhteiskuntakehitys. Tilaisuuden alustajat valottavat puheenvuoroissaan myös sitä, miten Euroopan kilpailukykyä voitaisiin edistää konkreettisin toimenpitein. Tilaisuuden kotimaisia kärkipuhujia ovat pääministeri Matti Vanhanen, yliasiamies Esko Aho ja Suomen Pankin pääjohtaja Erkki Liikanen. Ensimmäisenä päivänä yliasiamies Aho esitelmöi Euroopan kilpailukyvystä ja innovaatiopolitiikan haasteista Hampton Court -raportin näkökulmasta. Lisäksi tutustutaan käytännön esimerkkien kautta muun muassa eurooppalaisiin julkishallinnon uudistuksiin. Toisen päivän avauspuheenvuorossaan pääministeri Vanhanen tulee kiinnittämään huomiota siihen, että Euroopan kilpailukyvyn vahvistaminen on yhteinen haasteemme. Siihen vastaaminen edellyttää tutkimus- ja kehitystoimintaan panostamista, tieto- ja viestintätekniikan tehokasta hyödyntämistä sekä laajapohjaista ja monialaista yhteistyötä. Kokouksen osanottajilla on mahdollisuus osallistua interaktiivisesti konferenssin kulkuun kolmessa online-äänestyksessä, joissa hyödynnetään langatonta Response-yleisöpalautejärjestelmää. Yleisö valitsee äänestyksissä omat suosikkinsa puhujien ehdottamista Euroopan kilpailukykyä edistävistä konkreettisista toimenpiteistä. Äänestys palvelee myös tapahtuman tavoitetta löytää konkreettisia keinoja ja toimia Lissabonin strategian toteuttamiseksi. Tapahtuman päätteeksi järjestetään paneelikeskustelu, joka kokoaa yhteen konferenssin ja yleisöäänestysten tulokset. Keskustelu on keskeinen osa tapahtuman loppupäätelmien valmistelua. Nämä loppupäätelmät kootaan Helsinki-manifestiin, joka toimitetaan tuleville puheenjohtajamaille Saksalle ja Portugalille sekä EU-komissiolle. Tapahtuma järjestetään Suomen hallituksen tietoyhteiskuntaohjelman, Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulun Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research (CKIR) -yksikön, Euroopan komission ja useiden yritysten yhteistyönä. Lisätietoja: ohjelmajohtaja Katrina Harjuhahto-Madetoja, p. (09) 1602 2363 (sisältökysymykset) ja suunnittelija Susanna Hyvärinen, p. (09) 1602 3405 (käytännön järjestelyt), tietoyhteiskuntaohjelman toimisto sekä tiedotuspäällikkö Päivi Paasikoski (mediajärjestelyt), valtioneuvoston viestintäyksikkö, p. (09) 1602 2082

Konferenssin ohjelma

Konferensen Networked Business and Government – Something Real for the Lisbon Strategy inleddes på måndagen den 23 oktober i Ständerhuset i Helsingfors. Konferensen, som pågår i 2 dagar, arrangeras som en del av programmet under Finlands EU-ordförandeskap. Det huvudsakliga målet för konferensen är att finna konkreta åtgärder när det gäller att förverkliga målen för Lissabonstrategin. I konferensen deltar sakkunniga inom den offentliga sektorn, vid forskningsanstalter och inom företagsvärlden från cirka 200 EU-länder. Teman för konferensen är samarbetet mellan den offentliga och privata sektorn, övergången till elektronisk affärsverksamhet, ökad produktivitet, förnyandet av innovationssystemet och informationssamhällsutvecklingen inom den offentliga förvaltningen. Föreläsarna åskådliggör också i sina inlägg hur man genom konkreta åtgärder kan främja den europeiska konkurrenskraften. Konferensens inhemska toppföreläsare är statsminister Matti Vanhanen, överombudsman Esko Aho och chefdirektören för Finlands Bank Erkki Liikanen. Under konferensens första dag håller överombudsman Aho ett föredrag om Europas konkurrenskraft och innovationspolitikens utmaningar ur Hampton Court-rapportens perspektiv. Med hjälp av konkreta exempel informeras dessutom om bl.a. europeiska reformer inom den offentliga förvaltningen. I sitt öppningsanförande på konferensens andra dag kommer statsminister Vanhanen att fästa uppmärksamhet vid faktumet att stärkandet av den europeiska konkurrenskraften är en gemensam utmaning för oss alla. För att kunna svara på denna utmaning måste man satsa på forsknings- och utvecklingsverksamheten, utnyttja informations- och kommunikationstekniken effektivt samt bedriva ett omfattande samarbete som omspänner flera områden. Mötesdeltagarna har möjlighet att interaktivt delta i konferensen via tre online-omröstningar, där det trådlösa systemet för publikrespons, Response, utnyttjas. Vid omröstningarna väljer publiken sina egna favoriter bland de konkreta åtgärder för att stärka Europas konkurrenskraft som talarna föreslagit. Omröstningen tjänar också konferensen mål att finna konkreta metoder och åtgärder när det gäller att genomföra Lissabonstrategin. Konferensen avslutas med en paneldiskussion som sammanfattar resultaten av konferensen och publikomröstningarna. Diskussionen utgör en viktig del av beredningen av konferensens slutsatser. Slutsatserna sammanställs i ett Helsingforsmanifest, som tillställs de kommande ordförandeländerna Tyskland och Portugal samt EU-kommissionen. Konferensen arrangeras i samarbete mellan den finska regeringens informationssamhällsprogram, enheten Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research (CKIR) vid Helsingfors handelshögskola, Europeiska kommissionen och ett flertal företag. Ytterligare information: programdirektör Katrina Harjuhahto-Madetoja, tfn (09) 1602 2363 (innehållsfrågor), och planerare Susanna Hyvärinen, tfn (09) 1602 3405 (praktiska arrangemang), informationssamhällsprogrammets byrå, samt informationschef Päivi Paasikoski (mediearrangemangen), statsrådets kommunikationsenhet, tfn (09) 1602 2082

Programmet för konferensen

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Presenter: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the press conference of the informal meeting of Heads of State or Government. Present President of the European Council, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, and Secretary-General / High Representative, Mr Javier Solana. Prime Minister Vanhanen, please.

Vanhanen: Thank you. Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. As you all know, one of the main themes of the meeting was innovation policy as a source of European growth. I would like to start drawing some conclusions on this item.

It was very clear in the discussions that we need a comprehensive strategy on intellectual property rights in the EU. This is an important part for an effective innovation policy. The strategy should be, above all, of high quality. By placing importance – for instance – on the quality of patents, the EU could also put pressure on our competitors. We welcome the Commission’s intention to prepare a comprehensive strategy on intellectual property rights in 2007.

Patents are an essential part of intellectual property rights. We look forward to the Commission’s proposals on how to develop the patent system in Europe.

We agreed that the European patent system must be made more cost-effective and more predictable. We must also improve the litigation system. Basically, we have three options:

First, we can leave things as they are. This would be by far the worst option.

Second, EU Member States could take a step forward through the London Agreement. The London Agreement relates to the simplification of the existing European Patent System.

The third option is that we seek: Community solutions in order to improve the patent system. This should be our ultimate goal.

Another central theme in our discussions was enhancing the co-operation between the private and public sectors. We agreed that we need to help companies in finding early seed money. European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives are excellent examples of public-private partnerships. Companies are willing to invest in these initiatives. Public funding by the Member States and the EU is therefore a high priority for some of the projects that are ready to be launched.

The Finnish Government has made a commitment to allocate public research funding to one of the most advanced initiatives called Artemis. Its aim is to enhance Europe’s leading position in certain electronic systems. The Finnish Government’s total contribution will be 70 million euros over a seven-year period starting from next year. I am pleased that also the Commission gives its full support to this initiative and will take it forward as a Joint Technology Initiative and match funds coming from the private sector.

We also had a discussion on the proposal to create the European Institute of Technology, which was adopted by the Commission only two days ago. The Institute should have a real impact in filling Europe’s innovation gap. We are pleased that during our Presidency we will be able to start working on the details of this proposal in the Council. There are of course many open questions at this stage but the discussion we just had, it showed a real green light to the Commission’s initiative.

We also touched upon standardisation and agreed on its importance in supporting innovations. Our work on innovation policy will not stop here. I will keep this high on the agenda during the rest of our Presidency, too.      

At the beginning of our meeting, we had a constructive lunch discussion concerning the Union’s external energy relations with important partners, especially with Russia. We had unity today.

On energy issues with Russia, the EU aims to build a close and legally binding partnership based on mutually balanced, long term benefits.

It’s in the Union’s interests to persuade Russia to commit more strongly to the principles which have already been defined in the Energy Charter Treaty and G8 declaration.

There is a complete understanding between the Member States on the principles to be applied. They should cover especially market-based rules, market opening, non-discriminatory access to transit networks and mutuality in two-way investment. 

The EU will soon enter negotiations with Russia on a new comprehensive agreement to replace the 10-year-old Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. We agreed that the principles I just mentioned should be included into this post-PCA agreement.

We also agreed that it is very important to follow these principles in practice now, without waiting for a formal agreement.

We will also continue to develop our relations with other producer and transit countries around the EU. We aim to extend the internal energy market principles to our neighbourhood. 

We also agreed that the European Union must show strong leadership in combating climate change. Improving energy efficiency is important in achieving this. During the Finnish Presidency climate and energy issues have been at top of the agenda in third country summits.

In order to enhance the security of energy supply, international financial institutions need to cooperate in a more effective way. In addition, energy security aspects should be taken into account when the European Investment Bank is granting new lending mandates to third countries. In order to implement a coherent energy policy and respond to energy crises, we agreed to improve the way we share and process energy information among the Member States. We shall move ahead with this before the end of the year.      

My friends, my Spanish Colleague Prime Minister Zapatero was a key-note speaker on migration issues. He took up the importance of well-functioning border control and holistic approach to migration.

Illegal immigration is a problem that concerns the whole European Union. European solidarity was mentioned many times during our discussions.

We stressed the importance of concrete action and gave our full support to the European Border Management Agency.

We agreed that cooperation with Africa is essential, as it is with other countries of origin and transit. We need to be able to address the root causes of illegal immigration if we want to prevent these humanitarian crises in the coming years. Consistency between policy sectors is important.

I’m committed to take the work forward at the December European Council.      

We also briefly discussed the alarming situation in Sudan. We are all deeply concerned at the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Sudan/Darfur. We are working hard to convince the Government of Sudan that a UN operation is the only viable and realistic option for peacekeeping in Darfur.

Thank you.

Presenter: President Barroso please.

Barroso: Thank you, thank you very much. I endorse everything that Prime Minister Vanhanen has said. I will not need to repeat. Let me just underline one or two point that I think are more important. First of all, this informal European Council was in a real spirit of coherence and solidarity. And we have seen this idea of coherence and solidarity in discussion about external energy policy, on discussion on innovation, discussion on migration. First of all, external energy policy. I’m very happy that the Commission gave a contribution to this debate with a paper that we have presented and the broad lines were endorsed by the leaders of Europe. In fact, we have seen the need for having a real European energy policy following what we have already discussed at Hampton Court, the Green Paper that was presented some time ago. And now I believe today we have achieved a real convergence that will enable us to come in January with some concrete proposals in terms of energy package. Energy goes from climate change, the need to fight climate change, until energy efficiency and energy security. What we have been discussing today was more external energy policy. It is important for us to involve others around us. In fighting climate change the European Union is leading in the world. In terms of the fight against climate change it is considered by many of us maybe the most important challenge of the 21st century. But it is important that only we in the European Union do that but that we involve others and this of course is a topic with all our partners. A way of fighting climate change is through energy efficiency. And it was also addressed at this meeting and as you know, we have recently proposed some very ambitious targets for the European Union.

Another point that was central in our discussions today, was energy security and of course this will a topic in our meeting this evening with President Putin. I think it was a real message of convergence that came after this debate to have some sound principles like reciprocity, transparency, market opening as principles that all the partners should respect if they want to have energy security in the long term. So, I believe in that matter we really achieved some progress and that we have now a real political orientation for the next steps starting of course this evening with meeting with President of the Russia.

Innovation was of course considered the most important point for this Lahti Summit. And there we also received endorsement and backing to some of our proposals. The need to come with a strategy for intellectual property rights, the need to come with a solution for the long standing problem of patenting in European Union and also to move forward on standards in Europe. And of course the strong backing, the green light, as Prime Minister Vanhanen just said, for the European Institute for Technology. I was personally very happy with this strong backing that was given to this idea. This is indeed a future flagship for innovation in Europe based on that important idea of public-private partnerships and specifically on the linkage between university and research excellence with a business interest and an economic potential. This will of course complement the European Union’s present efforts to stimulate research for instance through Joint Technology Initiatives and I was happy to announce support of the European Commission to this Artemis joint technology project that so many Member States and so many important companies from Europe are wishing to fund and the Commission will of course match this funding as well. So, I really believe that we could have here an important political agreement. This is an informal summit, it was not a summit for formalised legal instruments. But it is a summit that sets a course and defines an orientation. And I believe that after this summit, we can say that there is coherence and solidarity and more ambition fulfilling some of these important goals like the ones I just mentioned in the field of security, energy security but also in terms of innovation. These were the most important points. I will not go in detail because of time constraints. Of course, full support to our common approach to migration, to the requests made by the Prime Minister of Spain and endorsed by so many Heads of State and Government. This is not just a problem for the southern European countries. It a problem for all Europe for a problem at European level we should also have solution at European level. Thank you.

Presenter: High Representative Solana please.

Solana: Thank you very much. Very briefly because everything important has been said, and well said. Let me only tell you only practical things. I was yesterday in Ukraine. As you know, Ukraine has a pipeline that is the most important pipeline to provide gas to Europe. More than 80% of the gas goes through that pipeline. Therefore good-working [relations] between Russia and Ukraine [are] fundamental in order to guarantee the supply in the coming months to the European countries. I can tell you that this coming week, an agreement will be signed between Ukraine and Russia, and I had already discussions with the leaders of Ukraine … yesterday and we will have the guarantee that the supply of gas will be for all the countries of Europe that have links to the pipeline, which, as I said, is the most important pipeline that supplies gas to Europe. So, what happened last year and the year before will not be repeated this year and let’s hope that the temperatures in the winter will not make this statement I just have made not correct. But in principle everything is guaranteed so the that supply will be appropriate for all the countries of the European Union. Well, as you know, energy security is a very important element of foreign policy. The countries which supply most energy are to a certain extent uncertain countries and countries which the pipelines cross are also uncertain countries. We have now in the Caucasus some problem around Georgia. A very important pipeline that comes from Baku crosses that country. If anything were to happen there, we would also have difficulties, or potential difficulties, with the pipeline that [run through] that country. Therefore energy security for Europe is pretty much linked to foreign policy. Therefore we have to adapt our own foreign policy, also to take into consideration the component of energy. In the same manner, we have to put into consideration in a much more dramatic manner the question of migration in our foreign policy. Migration is not only a question of how much money you give to countries or how much you handle the situation in our own countries but how much foreign policy we do in particular with those countries which are the ones which supply most of the migrants, meaning Africa, meaning other parts of the world. So a very important element in our foreign policy has to be also linked to [the question of] how to handle the policy on migration. Let me also tell you that, in the coming – let’s say – 20 years, in the world there are going to be probably more than 200 new nuclear power plants. And the significance of that, vis-à-vis, for instance, [in terms of ] the enrichment of uranium – enrichment of uranium that, as you know, [presents] problems, that may be linked to proliferation. And therefore, we have to really try to work collectively with other actors in the international community – the European Union – so that this probable increase in the number of nuclear power plants that there will be in the world in the coming years does not [lead to] a proliferation system, [that makes the world ] much more dangerous than it is already now. So to fight against proliferation, we will have to have as one of our priorities controlling that situation and [ensuring that] the nuclear power plants do not lead to larger proliferation in the world. All these things we’ll have to keep on [coming back to] and studying and analysing and putting in practice. Thank you.

Presenter: Please identify yourself and your media when asking questions and use our microphone. Our camera crew has also kindly asked you to stand up when asking questions. It’s easier for them to find you. The Guardian please.

Guardian: It’s a question for President Barroso. How can you can do business with a man, Vladimir Putin, whose commitment to human rights are so great that he has expressed admiration for the sexual habits of an alleged rapist, the President of Israel?

Barroso: We are going to meet President Putin. He’s our neighbour. Russia is a very important country. I believe it is our interests, and in the interests of our citizens, to have constructive relations with Russia. But in our constructive relations with Russia, we also include a very open, very frank dialogue, including on the most sensitive issues, for instance, human rights. And I’m sure that this evening, we are going to express our concerns on all the issues of that kind that we have… that you know are a matter of concern for our European citizens. And I’m sure this is going to be the case, as has already happened in the past.

Presenter: The gentleman in the second row, please.

Agence France Presse (through interpreter): A question in French. The European patent, for decades now, has become a sort of zombie which haunts the corridors of Europe. Are you going to have to unearth the text or are you going to bury it once and for all? If you are going to bury once and for all, what specific proposals would enable you to get round its absence?

Barroso: Well it’s true that for a while now, we’ve tried to get a European patent and we haven’t managed. If we haven’t managed, it’s not because the Community institutions haven’t done enough, but simply because people haven’t agreed, not least on the language arrangements. Some Member States have clear language objections. So what I want Member States to do today is see whether they can’t accept a pragmatic approach – a pragmatic approach which involves accepting a degree of communitarisation of things which happen already, in terms of litigation, for example, on European patents. And we will be coming forward with a number of proposals, which we hope can be usefully discussed by the spring Council. So we’ll have to see. I can’t really say exactly what the upshot of all this is going to be. We’ll just have to see whether it will be possible for us to make progress on this dossier. Certainly in the light of today’s discussion, no one has questioned the fact that there is a need to come up with a solution in Europe for patents, because it’s one of the areas where we fall well short, in particular of our American friends. We’re losing innovative opportunities, simply because it costs too much and it takes too much time to get a patent in Europe. So we’ll be coming forward with a number of proposals shortly, and we’ll see whether it might not be possible to win over Member States to these proposals. We’re certainly not abandoning the real objective, which was to have a European patent. Thank you.

Vanhanen: Yes, it is true that this has been too long a project without any result and the Finnish purpose, during our Presidency, is to strengthen the political will among the Member States. And I asked my colleagues in this meeting today that they should all – that we should all – in our countries, strengthen the political pressure to find a solution, have a little more flexibility to find a solution. As President Barroso said, the over-complicated European patent system is too expensive for European companies. If we compare similar companies in the USA, where they have, in an area of 300 million people, one simple patent system, we need something [along] the same [lines] here in the EU, where there are 25 Member States and quite soon 27.

Presenter: YLE please.

Finnish Broadcasting Company: This is a question for Prime Minister Vanhanen and Dr Solana. What did you [say] about Georgia? We all know that the situation and relations between Russia and Georgia have been deteriorating for a while now. Are you going to take this up with President Putin, and other human rights issues?

Vanhanen: Yes, as President Barroso already said, of course, we will do [as we] always do when we have summits with third countries. We have both positive questions and also difficult questions. There were several Member States during lunch, which asked the Presidency to take to the floor Georgia, and we will do it.

Solana: It will not be the first time that we talk with our Russian friends about Georgia. Since the very beginning, we have been in touch with the Georgian President and the Russian counterpart, the President, Mr Ivanov, the national security adviser. I have been talking to them practically daily, trying to cool down the situation and trying to make the possibility of contact between the leaders of both countries. For the moment that has not taken place. We continue working in that direction and I’m sure we will achieve that. But I can tell you that every day since the situation has started, we have been in touch with both the leaders of both Georgia and the leaders of the Russian Federation.

Presenter: Gentleman here in the middle row, please.

Anatolia News Agency: I’m addressing my question to Mr Vanhanen. My question is regarding Cyprus. You made some concrete proposals to parties. Are you hoping to get a conclusion before the December summit? How optimistic are you [about getting] a conclusions, or how close are you to a conclusion.

Vanhanen: I can only tell you that the Finnish Presidency… we have been very active on this issue. And we are negotiating with all partners. And let’s see. It will be closer during this autumn-time, to find a solution also to the Cyprus question, and we are working actively and our aim is to find a solution before December.

Presenter: We have time for two more questions. Here please.

Kosovo press: I have a question for Mr Vanhanen. Kosovo is one of the issues with which apparently the European Union doesn’t have the same position like Russia. Recently, Russia made it clear that they want negotiations to go on for next year, while President Ahtisaari wants to finish this year. And President Putin has made a comparison between the Kosovo issue and Ossetia in Georgia. So do you think that this Russian can endanger the mission of President Ahtisaari to find a solution for Kosovo?

Vanhanen: We will probably not discuss about this item this evening. President Ahtisaari is not working for the European Union. He’s now in the UN, the United Nations. And of course this possibility is now in the United Nations and the UN should find the solution to the Kosovo status question and I’m sure that the European Union, we will be ready then to support the arrangements and solutions which we can accept. And of course if we want to get a solution in the United Nations, it will most probably also need a decision in the UN Security Council, so of course there has to be also agreements which also the members of the Security Council can accept.

Presenter: And the last question goes to a gentleman in the third row.

Romanian press: I would like to ask President Barroso. You know, [there is much debate] on whether the Prime Minister or the President should propose a person to be the Romanian European Commissioner. I want ask you if you have received a proposal and, if yes, what your decision will be? Can you give us a name or a domain, or something?

Barroso: I will not make any comment on that issue before the decision is taken. Okay?

Presenter: Thank you very much.

******

Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister of FinlandJosé Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

Javier Solana, Secretary-General / High Representative

1. The Ninth EU-China Summit was held in Helsinki, Finland on 9 September 2006. The EU was represented by the President of the European Council, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen of Finland, President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso. Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China attended the meeting on behalf of the People’s Republic of China.

2. Leaders of the two sides agreed that the past decade had seen significant changes in the EU and in China and a progressive deepening of the relationship, which was maturing into a comprehensive strategic partnership. They believed that the strengthening of the relationship had been of great value to the long-term interests of the EU and China, to cooperation between Asia and Europe, as well as to peace, stability, and development in the world at large.

3. Leaders of the two sides emphasized the importance of high-level political dialogue and consultations at all levels in enhancing understanding and trust, expanding common ground, and advancing bilateral relations. They welcomed the recently established regular strategic dialogue mechanism, which had proven to be a valuable tool in the frank and in-depth discussions of important international and regional issues and the exchanges of views on bilateral issues of common concern.

4. In order to reflect the full breadth and depth of today’s comprehensive strategic partnership between the EU and China, the two sides agreed to launch negotiations on a new Partnership and Co-operation  Agreement which will encompass the full scope of their bilateral relationship, including enhanced co-operation in political matters. These negotiations will also update the 1985 EEC-China Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement, which will be administered in a relatively independent manner, taking into consideration the global objectives of the EU-China strategic partnership. 

5. The EU side reaffirmed its continued adherence to one China policy and expressed its hope for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question through constructive dialogue. The Chinese side appreciated EU’s commitment to the one China policy and reiterated its principled position on the Taiwan question. 

6. Leaders also discussed the EU arms embargo. The Chinese side reiterated its view that lifting the arms embargo would be conducive to the sound development of the EU-China relations and urged the EU to lift the arms embargo at an early date. The EU side recognized the importance of this issue and confirmed its willingness to carry forward work towards lifting the embargo on the basis of the Joint Statement of the 2004 EU-China Summit and subsequent European Council Conclusions.

7. Leaders reiterated their willingness to develop their cooperation in the fields of non-proliferation and disarmament, in particular in the preparation for a successful review conference on Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in November 2006 and the upcoming Preparatory Committee for the next review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. They will continue to maintain and enhance dialogue and cooperation on the basis of the Joint Declaration of  the European Union and the People’s Republic of China on Non-proliferation and Arms Control which was adopted at the 2004 EU-China Summit. The two sides noted with great satisfaction their ongoing practical cooperation in the area of export control.

8. Leaders emphasized the importance of efforts to reform the United Nations system and their strong support for a fair, just and rules-based multilateral international system with the UN playing a central role. They reiterated their commitment to promote world peace, security, sustainable development, and human rights, as recognized in the 2005 UN World Summit outcome document. The two sides expressed their support for reform which would improve the UN’s ability to cope with new and existing threats and challenges. They will engage in achieving progress on the reform by consensus and will be committed to ensuring full implementation of the outcome of the 2005 UN World Summit, including by cooperating with the newly established UN bodies such as the Peace Building Commission and the Human Rights Council.

9. The two sides underlined their commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and continued to place a high value on the EU-China human rights dialogue. They underlined the importance of concrete steps in the field of human rights and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance co-operation and exchanges in this field on the basis of equality and mutual respect, while making efforts to achieving more meaningful and positive results on the ground. The EU welcomed China’s commitment to ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as soon as possible. Both sides confirmed their commitment to co-operate with UN human rights mechanism and their respect for international human rights standards provided for in relevant international human rights instruments including the rights of minorities. In respect of the global fight against genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, they also noted the importance of the International Criminal Court. The two sides were committed to supporting the work of the UN Human Rights Council and undertook to strengthen their communication and coordination in this regard in line with UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251.

10. Summit Leaders welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 which led to the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 sets the required framework for a political settlement of the crisis supported by the reinforced UNIFIL forces in which the EU Member States are playing 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.

11. Summit leaders emphasized the need for a comprehensive peace plan for the Middle East. They 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.

12. Leaders noted the reports by the IAEA Director General on Iran’s nuclear programme and the UNSC Resolution 1696 (2006). They called on Iran to implement UNSC Resolution 1696 (2006) and the resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors. Leaders welcomed the proposals put forward by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, endorsed by the United States, the Russian Federation and China, with the support of the European Union’s High Representative, for a long-term and comprehensive arrangement with Iran based on mutual respect and mutual confidence.

13. 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. 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 also expressed their grave concern over DPRK’s recent multiple launch of missiles. They strongly called on all the parties to take a flexible and pragmatic approach in creating conditions for an early resumption of Six-Party Talks.

14. Leaders expressed their serious concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Darfur. Leaders emphasized that transition from an AU to a UN led operation would be conducive to the peace in Darfur.

15. Leaders reiterated their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and sustainable global development. Meeting the MDGs will require urgent action on all sides, among other more ambitious national development strategies and efforts backed by increased and more effective international support particularly in Africa.

Leaders also stressed the importance of their relations with Africa, and stated their commitment to work together in favour of Africa’s peace, stability and sustainable development. The EU reaffirmed its attachment to the principles of good governance and human rights, as embodied in its Africa Strategy. The Chinese side emphasized the upholding of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, in particular the principle of non-interference into others’ internal affairs.

The Leaders agreed to pursue a structured dialogue on Africa and explore avenues for practical cooperation on the ground in partnership with the African side, including with the support of NEPAD initiatives and with the aim of attaining the Millennium Development Goals. The leaders welcomed China’s structured cooperation with Africa through the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC). Both the EU and China are signatories of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness. The two parties will continue to promote the effectiveness principles contained in the Paris Declaration.

16. They also looked forward to a successful 6th ASEM Summit on 10 and 11 September 2006. They viewed ASEM as a valuable framework for Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation and believed that this Summit, which would also mark the 10th anniversary of ASEM, would take the process forward. They agreed to continue their close cooperation in promoting ASEM and welcomed China’s role as the host of the 7th ASEM Summit in 2008.

17. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against terrorism and reiterated that anti-terrorism action must accord with the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter and the norms of relevant International Law and fully respect human rights. The two sides underlined the leading role of the United Nations with respect to counter-terrorism, and the importance of the universal implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions, UN conventions and protocols related to counter-terrorism. Both sides remain committed to achieving consensus on the UN Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism and call upon the UN General Assembly to adopt the counter-terrorism strategy without delay, as mandated by the World Summit.

18. The two sides expressed their concern over the spreading of avian influenza in the world and their high appreciation for the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza held by China, the European Commission, and the World Bank in Beijing at the beginning of this year. They promised to carry out relevant follow-up actions and agreed to further the cooperation in the prevention and control of such infectious diseases as avian influenza and welcomed the recent WHO resolution on the international health regulations. In addition to the avian flu and to other newly emerging infectious diseases like SARS, the leaders underlined the importance of increased cooperation to combat HIV/AIDS. They especially stressed the need for transparency and non-discrimination on these issues.

19. Sustainable development is one of the major areas in EU-China cooperation. The leaders agreed to step up the exchange of experiences with a view to building a resource-efficient and environment-friendly society. In this vein, the EU will enhance its cooperation with China, backing its efforts in her rapid economic development, to introduce a circular economy and to safeguard natural resources, including biological diversity. Leaders agreed that many challenges remained, including in the areas of sustainable production and consumption, and energy efficiency. Leaders agreed to intensify cooperation on these areas and on specific issues such as illegal logging, as an important contribution to the preservation of natural resources.

20. Leaders welcomed the progress on the implementation of the EU-China partnership on climate change. The partnership has provided a good foundation for strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China in the areas covered by the partnership. They agreed to further strengthen the dialogue and cooperation in this regard including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes launched to promote further development of international climate change policies. They also agreed to work positively towards a rolling work plan to further implement the partnership, covering the period 2007-2010. They welcomed closer cooperation on the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism and the start of cooperation on the research of near-zero emission power generation technology through carbon dioxide capture and storage. They underlined the importance of reducing significantly the cost of key technologies and of their transfer, deployment and dissemination, as well as of taking steps to encourage and promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production to lessen the causes and adverse impacts of climate change. To this end, they also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in capacity building. They believed that an integrated approach to climate change and energy is crucial, and particularly underlined the need to exploit the synergies between the promotion of energy security, sustainable energy supply, innovation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to ensure consistency between meeting the ultimate objectives of the UNFCCC and energy policy goals.

21. Global energy security is crucial to ensuring economic growth and livelihood of people, maintaining world peace and stability and promoting development worldwide. The EU and China share a common concern for ensuring reliable, economical and sustainable energy supply. In this respect the leaders affirmed that they will take appropriate measures to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation on energy in an effort to create a stable, secure, efficient and clean energy environment to support sustainable economic and social development.

The Leaders emphasized the strategic significance of the EU-China High Level Working Group on Energy and the regular industrial conferences on EU-China energy cooperation. The two sides underlined the importance of continuing to strengthen practical cooperation, particularly in the framework of the action plan on clean coal and the action plan on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

22. Both sides were determined to work closely together to resume the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations as soon as possible with a view to achieve agreement on an ambitious and balanced outcome. Both sides emphasized the importance of reaching such an agreement, recalling strongly the need for all WTO Members to make their due contribution.

23. Leaders underlined the importance of a complete implementation of WTO commitments. They noted that most transition periods for China will have expired in December 2006, recognized with satisfaction the progress already made, and acknowledged the importance of remaining work ahead. Both sides underlined the importance of dialogue and cooperation to solve bilateral trade issues with due regard to their international rights and obligations.

 They recalled that a transparent, open, and predictable regulatory environment is important in the area of services, as open and efficient services markets serve as a launch-pad for broader economic activity.

24. They reiterated their commitment to their dialogue to maximize mutual benefits of such relation by improving market access and increasing investments opportunities for both sides.

25. Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the progress of the Market Economy Status (MES) dialogue and the working group and they noted the joint report on MES to the summit. Both sides look forward to the update of the June 2004 MES report to be issued by the Commission before the end of 2006 with a view to deepen the communication of both sides on the outstanding issues which will be helpful in resolving the MES issue.

26. Leaders reiterated the importance of protecting intellectual property rights (IPR). In particular, both sides agreed on the need for appropriate deterrence against piracy and to the effective enforcement of IPR legislation. Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the communication and cooperation of the past year under the EU-China IPR Dialogue and the IPR working group and stood ready to further the exchanges and cooperation in this field. Both sides also reiterated that they would strengthen the cooperation and exchanges in the field of geographical indications.

The two sides recognised the importance of technology for their economic development and expressed the willingness to strengthen exchanges and co-operation on IPR protection in this area and support the contractual freedom between enterprises in the field of technology transfers under the condition of fairness, reason and non-discrimination.

27. Leaders underlined the importance of a transparent, open, and predictable regulatory environment. Both sides stressed the value of involving actively stakeholders in the drafting of technical regulations and in related work. They welcomed the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Administrative Cooperation Arrangements between the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (ADSIQ) and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) in January 2006 and the subsequent agreement to establish the “EU-China Food and Consumer Goods Safety Joint Committee”  with a view to facilitating the implementation of the MoU. Leaders expected that the Memorandum of Understanding together with the consultation mechanism and other established forms of cooperation between the two sides in the fields of food safety/Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) issues and TBT/industrial product safety would advance sustainable bilateral trade flows. For this purpose, leaders also agreed to actively work to reduce technical barriers and obstacles to trade in TBT and SPS areas by, for example, the use of international standards.

28. Leaders welcomed the EU-China Business Summit to be held in Helsinki on 12 September 2006. They were of the view that the Business Summit would provide a key opportunity to enhance economic relations and the business environment between the EU and China. Both sides underlined the importance of involving more actively stakeholders in EU-China trade and investment related dialogues. The leaders welcomed the discussions taking place between Chinese and EU industry during the business summit and their recognition of the importance of EU-China cooperation in promoting innovations, and sustainable development, including the development of environmental technologies and services.

29. The two sides expressed the common wish to further the EU-China science and technology partnership and recognized that the China National Long and Medium Term Plan for Science and Technology Development and the 7th EU Framework Program provided a new opportunity to carry out cooperation of strategic importance. In this respect, they appreciate the involvement of Chinese organizations in the EU funded five year CO-REACH project, launched in Beijing in May 2005, to help identify priorities and appropriate channels for future S&T collaborations between China and Europe. The two sides announced that the ”China-EU Science and Technology Year” activities will be launched in October 2006 in Brussels, to further promote S&T cooperation for sustainable mutual benefit. Both sides will create necessary conditions to make the event a success.

The two sides continued to emphasize and highlight the importance of the cooperation agreement on Galileo between the European Community and its Member States and the People’s Republic of China.

The two sides looked forward to the early implementation, with other parties, of ITER and the further expansion and strengthening of their cooperation in the relevant fields.

30. Leaders encouraged relevant authorities of the EU and China to enhance dialogue and cooperation. The two sides will make good use of the current dialogues to continue exchanges and cooperation in various fields including environmental protection, labour and social affairs, development of agriculture and rural areas as well as the customs.

The two sides fully recognized the Memorandum of Understanding on China-EU Dialogue on Energy and Transport Strategies signed in September 2005 and the first plenary meeting of China-EU Strategic Dialogue on Energy and Transport Strategies held in March 2006. They stressed the importance of continuing to foster EU-China cooperation in this field.

Leaders expressed their satisfaction over the cooperation between the EU and China in the field of transport. They emphasized the need to continue the policy dialogue in the framework of the EU-China maritime agreement and they supported the efforts of shipping companies of both sides to run business in each other’s territory. They were of the view that the two sides needed to strengthen position coordination and cooperation in international organizations including the International Maritime Organization and the WTO. The two sides expected the transport services of the EU-China to deepen exchanges and cooperation in the above-mentioned fields in the framework of Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the fields of Road Transport and Inland Waterways.

Leaders welcomed the second round of the EU-China Financial Dialogue that was held in Beijing on 25 May 2006. They reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination in the macroeconomic, financial, and regulatory areas and agreed that the third round would be held in Brussels in 2007.

Leaders welcomed the newly established sectoral dialogue on regional policy cooperation and expressed their satisfaction over the EU-China Regional Economic Development Seminar held in Beijing. They stressed that practical cooperation should be carried out within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Regional Policy Cooperation between the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the European Commission and looked forward to the next EU-China meeting within this framework which would take place in Brussels in 2007.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in the EU-China Information Society Dialogue and they hoped to step up joint efforts, especially in the strategic cooperation on high-speed e-infrastructure and its major application, to promote the development of the information society in the EU and China.

The leaders welcomed the start of the negotiations for a bilateral agreement on drug precursors chemical control.

31. Leaders took note of the progress achieved in the area of civil aviation cooperation since the 8th Summit and reiterated the significant prospects of strengthening cooperation in the aviation sector. In this respect, leaders stressed the necessity of restoring legal certainty to the existing bilateral air services agreements between the People’s Republic of China and EU Member States. To this effect, the leaders called for discussions to continue as a matter of priority as agreed between the parties. Leaders also stressed the importance and mutual interest in enhancing technical co-operation in such fields as aviation safety, security, air traffic management, and air transport market supervision.

32. Leaders underlined that facilitating people-to-people exchanges and combating illegal migration were a priority for both sides. They emphasized the good mutual understanding reached at the EC-China High-Level Consultations in July. Leaders also discussed issues of readmission and visa facilitation.  They reiterated their willingness to open negotiations on issues of their respective concern and agreed to start concrete cooperation on related issues as soon as possible. Leaders also welcomed significant progress in the implementation of the tourism agreement (ADS) and encouraged the further intensification of cooperation at appropriate level.

33. The two sides recognized that the strengthening of educational cooperation served as the social and cultural foundation for the sustainable development of the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides will conduct deeper and wider cooperation, jointly discuss the mechanism and priorities for future cooperation, and make an effort to institutionalize such cooperation. The Chinese side expressed interest in concluding in the future an EU-China Education Cooperation and Exchanges Agreement. Leaders endorsed cooperation in establishing an EU-China Law School and welcomed the contribution from the EU side. The relevant departments of the two sides will continue to conduct consultations in this regard with a view to reaching agreement at an early date. The Chinese side will launch a five-year Chinese Government Scholarship Program (EU Window) from year 2007 on, to provide 100 scholarships per year to young students from the EU in a bid to provide more opportunities for European students to study Chinese.

34. The leaders also recognised the significance of cultural diversity for sustainable development, and welcomed the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The leaders supported increasing cultural interaction and visits between the EU Member States and China and especially encouraged visits by performing groups and artists as a way to strengthen links between the Chinese and European cultural circles.

35. Leaders recognised the importance of a healthy and developing civil society for the sustainability of the reform process both in the EU and China. Leaders were of the view that the exchanges and cooperation between the China Economic and Social Council (CESC) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) constituted a part of the relationship. To reinforce existing ties, they endorsed and encouraged the establishment of a regular roundtable to contribute to the enrichment and development of the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

36. Leaders of the two sides supported the enhancement of exchanges between the National People’s Congress of China and the European Parliament and between the parties, media circles, and think-tanks of the two sides. They also supported the expansion and deepening of exchanges between young people including, inter alia, within the framework of the ASEM-process, and encouraged cooperation between youth organizations in the EU and China.

Press release, Competitiveness (Internal market, Industry and Research)

20 Jun 2006, 16:43 en fi

Press release of the 2006       EMBARGO AT 4.00 PM, 20 JUNE 2006 
EU Presidencies
Austria and Finland  

Austria and Finland boost Competitiveness of EU Biotech in 2006 EU Presidencies meeting

EU Biotechnology Policy Round Table was co-organized today 20 June in Helsinki, Finland by the 2006 EU Presidencies Austria and Finland. It was the fourth in a series and brought together some 150 competent biotech competitiveness authorities from EU Member States, the European Commission and industry representatives.

Biotech is a core part of the knowledge based economy vision pictured by the EU Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. Challenges such as global climate change and aging increase demands for biotechnology applications to deliver efficient and sustainable solutions in the near future.

The implementation of The Life Sciences and Biotechnology – a strategy for Europe adopted by the European Commission in 2002 is advancing. However, global competitors are moving ahead with high speed. It is still very hard for EU biotech companies to raise risk capital to finance expensive R&D efforts. The development of the regulatory system has progressed unevenly and with national differences. It is difficult to inform citizens interested in biosafety and biosecurity in understandable language about the many applications offered by modern biotechnology and about the scientific methods followed in approving products for the internal market.

The Round Table called for wider co-ordination in different policy fields in Member States and in the European Commission in order to ensure that individual measures together form a coherent policy. The policy should be compatible with the vision for development of a competitive biotechnology in the EU with a rich variety of applications to benefit the society and the economy. Different types of incentives are needed in order to increase sustainable use of renewable biomass in different applications.

Simultaneously, enhanced demand for products and processes based on advanced knowledge and increasing value-added should be promoted. Short term market price signals for e.g. energy use of biomass driven by different policy measures such as emission trading can fundamentally distort needed long-term investment planning by industry. The regulatory system has to be improved for better predictability and a culture for venture capital activities in biotech has to be nurtured.

– More attention should be paid to promoting interest in and demand for biotech processes and products amongst different users and consumers in tandem with technology development. We have gained a lot of experience in Finland e.g. on integrated raw-material use also based on biotech processes, noted Ms Paula Nybergh, Director General for Technology Policy of  the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Finland, who chaired the concluding session looking at next steps in EU Biotech strategy. – Also, benefits would follow in medical applications of biotechnology, an area that  has been a priority in R&D investment, from closer integration of user interests or the entire health care system into technology development, she said

Michael Losch, Director General for Economic Policy in the Federal Ministry for Economics and Labour, in his morning statement stressed the problems arising from Europe’s Biotechnology being not as mature as in competing countries. – We encounter a severe lack of finance at some stages along the life cycle of the enterprises. Viable solutions for enhancing the attractiveness of firms for investors are to be sought as well as forms of good governance in leveraging private money through the use of public money.

For further information please contact
Chief Counsellor Pekka Lindroos, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Finland, +358 1606 3597 or +358 50 413 5522
Dipl.-Ing. Peter Schintlmeister, Federal Ministry for Economics and Labour, Austria, +43 699 19 24 57 21
Communications officer Satu Ikäheimo, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Finland, +358 9 1606 3577 or +358 50 431 6519

Vuoden 2006 EU-puheenjohtajavaltioiden       JULKAISUVAPAA 20.6.2006 KLO 16.00
Itävallan ja Suomen yhteistiedote

Itävalta ja Suomi vauhdittivat EU:n bioteknologian kilpailukykyä vuoden 2006 EU-puheenjohtajamaiden yhteiskokouksessa

EU:n bioteknologiapolitiikan pyöreän pöydän keskustelu käytiin tänään 20.6.2006 Marina Congress Centerissä, Helsingissä. Vuoden 2006 EU-puheenjohtajavaltioiden, Itävallan ja Suomen, yhdessä järjestämä kokous oli järjestyksessään neljäs EU:n virkamiesten ja alan yritysten yhteinen EU:n bioteknologian kilpailukykyyn keskittynyt tapahtuma. 

Bioteknologia kuuluu niihin korkean osaamisen alueisiin, joihin EU:n kilpailukykyä koskeva Lissabonin kasvun ja työllisyyden strategia perustuu. Ilmastomuutoksen ja ikääntymisen kaltaiset haasteet lisäävät odotuksia nykyaikaisen bioteknologian eri sovellusten tarjoamista tehokkaista ja kestävistä ratkaisuista jo lähitulevaisuudessa.

Komission vuonna 2002 hyväksymän bioteknologian kilpailukykyä koskevan strategian toteutus etenee, mutta globaalit kilpailijat menevät kovaa edellä. EU:n bioalan yritysten riskirahoituksen saaminen kalliiseen t&k-toimintaansa on edelleen vaikeaa. Säädösympäristön kehittäminen on edennyt verkkaan ja sen soveltamisessa on kansallisia eroja. Turvallisuudesta kiinnostuneille kansalaisille ei ole helppoa kertoa selkokielellä bioteknologian monista sovelluksista ja niistä tieteellisistä menetelmistä, joilla tuotteet hyväksytään sisämarkkinoille. 

Kokouksessa peräänkuulutettiin laaja-alaisempaa valmistelua sen varmistamiseksi, että eri hallinnonaloilla ja komission pääosastoilla kehiteltävät toimenpiteet sopisivat paremmin yhteen. Toimenpiteiden tulisi yhdessä tukea sellaista visiota, jossa bioteknologian sovelluksia hyödynnetään laajalti koko EU:ssa niin yhteiskunnassa ja taloudessa.  Tarvitaan erilaisia kannustimia, jotta biomassaa käytettäisiin lisääntyvästi eri tarkoituksiin kestävän kehityksen periaatteiden mukaisesti. Samalla tulee edistää korkeamman osaamisen ja jalostusasteen tuotteiden kysyntää. Politiikan toimenpiteet, jotka johtavat tempoileviin markkinasignaaleihin, kuten päästökauppa biomassan energiakäytössä, voivat ratkaisevasti haitata teollisuuden tarvittavien pitkäjänteisten investointien suunnitelmia. EU:n säädösympäristöä täytyy kehittää paremman ennakoitavuuden takaamiseksi ja bioteknologian alalla on syytä tukea riskirahoituskulttuurin syntyä.

– Suomessa on runsaasti kokemusta integroidusta raaka-aineen käytöstä myös modernin bioteknologian prosessien avulla. Bioteknologian menetelmien ja tuotteiden kysynnän edistämiseen ja käyttäjien toiveisiin tuleekin kiinnittää enemmän huomiota teknologian kehittämisen ohella, totesi ylijohtaja Paula Nybergh Suomen kauppa- ja teollisuusministeriöstä. Nybergh johti EU:n biostrategian kehittämistä käsitellyttä keskustelua. – Myös bioteknologian lääketieteellisten sovellusten kehittämiseen, johon pääosa t&k-panoksesta on mennyt, on syytä jatkossa kytkeä kiinteämmin mukaan käyttäjäintressi eli koko terveydenhoidon järjestelmä.

Itävallan talous- ja työministeriön osastopäällikkö Michael Losch alleviivasi päivän avanneessa puheenvuorossaan EU:n kilpailukykyyn liittyvien ongelmien johtuvan alan nuoruudesta kilpailijamaihin verrattuna. – Yritykset kohtaavat vakavan rahoitusongelman jossain elinkaarensa vaiheessa. Meidän täytyy etsiä toimivia ratkaisuja näiden yritysten kiinnostavuuden lisäämiseksi sijoittajien silmissä samoin kuin malleja sekä yksityisen rahan saamiseksi liikkeelle käyttäen julkista rahaa.

Lisätiedotkaupallinen neuvos Pekka Lindroos, KTM, p. (09) 1606 3597 tai 050 413 5522tiedottaja Satu Ikäheimo, KTM, puh. (09) 1606 3577 tai 050 431 6519

DI Peter Schintlmeister, Itävallan talous- ja työministeriö, puh. + 43 699 19 245 721