Prime Minister Vanhanen to represent EU in G8 summit in St. Petersburg

Participation of President Halonen has not been decided on yet

Matti Vanhanen

Tarja Halonen

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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) will represent the European Union and Finland, the holder of the Union's rotating presidency at the time, at the G8 summit in St. Petersburg In July.
      According to the Finnish News Agency (STT), Vanhanen and the President of the Republic Tarja Halonen agreed on the matter on Friday.
      In the capacity of the holder of the rotating presidency of the EU, Finland will take part in the meeting of the world's greatest economies, when the leaders of the G8 countries meet in St. Petersburg between the 15th and 17th of July.
     
This is the first time Russia will be in charge of the G8 Presidency. Already last year, the Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a personal invitation to the Finnish President Halonen to take part in the meeting.
      Halonen and Prime Minister Vanhanen, however, agreed that the Prime Minister should represent Finland, as he will also act as the President of the European Council at the time, and furthermore, according to the Finnish Constitution, Finland's EU policy is directed from the Prime Minister's Office rather than by the President.
      The President's Office has commented that no decision has been made as yet on whether Halonen would accompany Vanhanen to St. Petersburg.
     
The Russian hosts have chosen energy security, education, and the fight against infectious diseases as the main themes for this year's G8 summit.
      In addition to Russia, the G8 countries include the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Great Britain, and Italy. The country holding the rotating EU Presidency plus the European Commission will represent the European Union at the table.
      The Finnish EU Presidency website (www.eu2006.fi) will be opened on the 1st of June 2006.


Links:
  G8 St. Petersburg Russia 2006

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