Minister for European Affairs Tuppurainen to visit Paris

NordenBladet — Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen will visit Paris on 14–15 February and meet her French colleagues Minister of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune, Minister of Public Sector Transformation and the Civil Service Amélie de Montchalin and Minister Delegate for Public Accounts Olivier Dussopt. The topics to be discussed include the priorities of France’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Conference on the Future of Europe and the security situation in Europe.The motto of France’s Presidency is “Recovery, Strength and a Sense of Belonging”. The main priorities are: improving European sovereignty, creating a new European growth model and building a more socially oriented Europe.“Discussions with France, which holds the EU Presidency, are very topical. Finland and France share many similar goals, such as development of the EU’s defence cooperation. Both countries consider it important to improve the EU’s resilience and preparedness for crises. We also share the objectives of strengthening the climate policy and the rule of law in the EU”, Minister Tuppurainen says. The Ministers will discuss citizens’ views expressed at the Conference on the Future of Europe and the consequent work to be carried out in the EU. The final report on the Conference is to be drafted during France’s Presidency. The aim of the Conference was to hear people’s opinions on what kind of EU they would like to have in the future.As part of the Conference, ‘We are Europe’ series of events was arranged in Finland in the autumn and early this year. A total of 19 events were organised around the country, from Helsinki to Utsjoki. Every time, a government minister was present to discuss with people attending the event. A summary report of the series of events has been published and Minister Tuppurainen will present the Finnish priorities to her French colleague. Topics on the meeting agenda include the security situation in Europe and the role of the EU in finding a diplomatic solution to the situation in Ukraine.Ministers Tuppurainen and Beaune are colleagues on the EU General Affairs Council, which prepares the meetings of the European Council and regularly deals with issues related to the rule of law.