Finland's EU Presidency: Newsletter 9/2006
25 Sep 2006, 09:47
INFORMAL MINISTERIAL MEETING ON AGRICULTURE, 24 TO 26 SEPTEMBER
The informal ministerial meeting on agriculture began on Sunday 24 September in Oulu, Finland. During the meeting ministers will discuss and assess the European agricultural model, with special focus on future challenges facing the sector. The aim is to enhance the policy adopted and examine the challenges that European agriculture will face. This topic is one of the Presidency’s priorities. The meeting will be chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Juha Korkeaoja.
The Presidency press conference by Minister Juha Korkeaoja and by Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel at 12.30 (GMT+3) on Tuesday 26 September, can be viewed as a live webcast or as recording from the archive at eu2006.fi.
www.eu2006.fi/calendar/vko38/1129710316891/
COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL TO DISCUSS INNOVATION POLICY, 25 SEPTEMBER
A meeting of the Competitiveness Council will be held in Brussels on Monday, 25 September. At the meeting, the ministers will exchange views on the EU's innovation policy and its competitiveness. In addition, the Commission will present a Communication on innovation policy, and Finland, as holder of the Presidency, will set out its plans for discussions on innovation over the coming months. It is also hoped that political agreement will be reached on the Pre-packaged Goods Directive and the Consumer Policy Programme. In addition, the ministers will discuss development of internal market policy and other matters.
The open sessions of the Council meeting, scheduled to begin at approximately 10.00 (GMT+2), and the press conference at approximately 13.00 (GMT+2), can be viewed as live webcasts or as recordings from the archive at eu2006.fi.
www.eu2006.fi/calendar/vko39/1147785421623/
EU-NEW ZEALAND MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS, 25 SEPTEMBER
The Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, will attend the EU-New Zealand meeting of Foreign Ministers on 25 September. The agenda for the meeting will include cooperation between the EU and New Zealand and issues relating to the Asia-Pacific region. As is customary, the EU will be represented at the meeting by the Troika, i.e. the Presidency country, the Council Secretariat and the Commission.
The press conference for the meeting at 14.00 (GMT+3) can be viewed as recording from the archive at eu2006.fi.
www.eu2006.fi/calendar/vko39/1152794148416/
EU-AUSTRALIA MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS, 26 SEPTEMBER
The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer will attend the EU-Australia meeting of Foreign Ministers, led by the Finnish Foreign Minister, Erkki Tuomioja, on 26 September. The agenda for the meeting will include cooperation between the EU and Australia, security questions relating to the Asian region and topical international issues. As is customary, the EU will be represented at the meeting by the Troika, i.e. the Presidency country, the Council Secretariat and the Commission.
The press conference of the meeting at 14.00 (GMT+3) can be viewed as recording from the archive at eu2006.fi.
www.eu2006.fi/calendar/vko39/1152793848503/
INFORMAL MEETING OF HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT IN LAHTI, 20 OCTOBER
An informal meeting of Heads of State or Government will take place in Lahti on 20 October. The accreditation deadline for the meeting is 6 October. A media guide containing preliminary information on media arrangements, e.g. accommodation and transportation, is available at eu2006.fi
Press conferences for the meeting on Friday 20 October (times subject to changes): press conference (informal tripartite social summit) at 11.30 (GMT+3), Presidency press conference (informal meeting of Heads of State or Government) at 17.30 and at 21.30 (GMT+3). Press conferences can be viewed as live webcasts or as recordings from the archive at eu2006.fi.
www.eu2006.fi/calendar/vko42/1129707161527/
MEDIA HOTELS AVAILABLE - REMEMBER TO QUOTE THE RESERVATION CODE FIN06
Rooms for media representatives are still available in all meeting towns. Reservations should be made directly with hotels in the towns where meetings are to take place. Remember to quote the reservation code FIN06 to be given a room from the media quota with a pre-negotiated price.
Journalists attending the informal meeting of Heads of State or Government in Lahti can also find accommodation in Helsinki by using the hotel list on the web site of the Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau at www.hel.fi/tourism. The list is under the "plan your visit" sub-section. Helsinki is one hour by train or express bus from Lahti. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) is also the closest airport to Lahti.
CONSPECTUS RERUM LATINUS
The next Latin news-in-brief will be issued on Wednesday, 27 September.
NEWSLETTERS
The next newsletter will be issued on Monday, 2 October.
