Ministry for Foreign Affairs at Turku Europe Forum – themes on agenda include foreign policy, EU export policy and future of free mobility

NordenBladet — On 25–27 August, the Europe Forum 2021 in Turku will gather Finnish opinion-makers and citizens to discuss Finland’s role in Europe. The event will offer a wide range of discussions on the future of the EU and the position of Finland and the EU in the changing world order. During the Forum, the Ministers and public officials of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will contribute as speakers to events organised by other parties. In addition, on Friday 27 August the Foreign Ministry’s Europe Information will organise a discussion event on the future of an open Europe.On Thursday 26 March, the future of the EU’s export policy and the opportunities offered to Finnish companies will be discussed at an event organised by the Turku Science Park, to be held at Radisson Blu Marina Palace at 14.15. The keynote speaker is Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.On Friday 27 August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will participate in a discussion on the relations between the EU and Russia organised by the Paasikivi Society of Turku, which will start at Virastotalo at 11.15. How are the European Union and Russia seeking their place in the changing world order? Will the conflicts continue or is there a chance to develop a mutual understanding?Foreign policy themes will also be discussed at the seminar ‘Stability and prosperity: European policy as part of Finland’s foreign and security policy’ at Radisson Blu Marina Palace on Friday 27 August at 13.00. The event will start with a keynote speech by Minister Haavisto concerning the role of Finland and the EU in the world where the relations between superpowers are changing. In addition, Kai Sauer, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, will participate in a panel discussion on the EU’s relations with the United States.Also on the agenda on Friday is a discussion on the future of free movement after the COVID-19 crisis, organised by Europe Information of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.  Free movement, one of the EU’s major achievements, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.  What does the future look like after the crisis? Speakers at the event are Senior Researcher Saila Heinikoski from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Member of the European Parliament Sirpa Pietikäinen and Ninni Norra, Finnish Citizens’ Representative at the Conference on the Future of Europe. The event will start at Radisson Blu Marina Palace on Friday 27 August at 16.00.Because of the coronavirus situation the number of people present will be restricted, but all discussions of the Europe Forum can be viewed live at https://europeforum.fi/en/live/. Europe Forum Turku promotes diverse discussion on the EU.Organised for the fourth time, Europe Forum Turku offers an open platform for social dialogue, where the focus is on Finland’s present and future role in Europe and in the European Union.“The Europe Forum is already a tradition that people know to look forward to and that has a place of its own among Finland’s summer events. It offers an excellent opportunity for a wide and varied discussion on topical and international issues,” Minister Haavisto says.Recently the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the association Europe Forum in Turku agreed on a long-term partnership where the Foreign Ministry will support this annual event in 2021–2023. The common goal for the partners is to promote a diverse and interesting EU discussion of a high quality.Follow the discussion on Twitter using hashtag #EurooppafoorumiProgramme of Europe Forum Turku: https://europeforum.fi/en/programme/Press release, 12 August 2021: Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Europe Forum Turku will intensify cooperationhttps://um.fi/press-releases/-/asset_publisher/ued5t2wDmr1C/content/ulkoministerio-ja-turun-eurooppa-foorumi-tiivistavat-yhteistyotaan 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi