Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen admits that there has been a "moderately long" break in visits between Finland and the United States. Vanhanen commented on the matter in Sundays’ regular interview hour with the Prime Minister on YLE Radio. There have not been any high-level visits between Finland and the USA since Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (SDP) went to Washington in late 2002.
However, he said that from the point of view of the USA, relations with Finland "would seem to be fairly free of problems."
Vanhanen also said that he would have been ready to meet former US President Bill Clinton when he paid a brief visit to Finland last week, but that he was already committed to visiting Germany at the same time.
He also rejected criticism that Finnish leaders lack vision on policy concerning the European Union. He also said that he would reveal more of his views on the EU closer to the beginning of the Finnish Presidency of the EU.
Vanhanen will brief Parliament on the goals that Finland will set out for the EU Presidency on June 21st. Vanhanen feels that an earlier announcement would be impolite toward Austria, the current holder of the EU Presidency.
On Saturday Jari Vilén (Nat. Coalition Party) criticised the EU policy of Vanhanen and his government for lacking ambition and courage.
At the same time, Vanhanen defended the plans for an unofficial meeting of EU leaders in Lahti, whose agenda has been seen in advance as lacking substance.
In Vanhanen’s view the meeting is above all an opportunity for EU leaders to freely discuss issues that are to come up at the main event - the December summit - in advance.
