Vanhanen and Merkel discuss EU Presidency issues in Helsinki

On Tuesday evening Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen gave visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel a quick briefing on practical aspects of heading the Presidency of the European Union, which Germany takes over in January.
     The focus of a dinner on Tuesday evening was an exchange of EU experiences, although the two leaders also discussed matters including the internal situation in Russia.
     
Vanhanen told Merkel about what he felt was the best way to deal with the European Parliament, for instance, and how EU summits work.
     "Finland has had a very good presidency", Merkel said at a press conference earlier in the evening.
     She said that Finland had performed "a masterpiece of diplomacy" before last week's EU summit, and in negotiations over Turkey.
     Merkel is pleased that the difficult question of the fate of membership talks with Turkey was decided at the foreign minister level already before the Brussels summit. Membership talks with Turkey were partially frozen, which suits Merkel's Christian Democrats well.
     Merkel insisted that the perception given by the recent Eurobarometer survey of a deep sense of "enlargement fatigue" in Germany will not overshadow the German EU Presidency.
     The survey showed that 64 per cent of Germans are opposed to further enlargement of the EU. Merkel feels that these kinds of questionnaires should not be taken too seriously, because the outcome is affected by how the questions are formulated.
     Besides, in its presidency, Germany will reflect the opinions of all EU members, and not only those of its own government.
     
Vanhanen characterised the past six months as "intense and rewarding". According to his somewhat bold assessment, "the EU is more united than ever". He feels that this unity has been reflected in the EU's foreign policy both toward Lebanon and in Russia.
     Vanhanen was also optimistic about the proposed EU constitution. "Attitudes have changed and solutions are being actively sought", the Prime Minister said.
     However, Germany had no great promises on the matter. During its Presidency, Germany plans to draw up a plan for moving forward in reviving the stagnant constitution project.
     
The Chancellor also met President Tarja Halonen. Merkel said that she is looking forward to the EU Presidency as a happy event, even though it also means a major effort.
     "My working days will certainly not be any shorter, as I will also have to deal with domestic politics", Chancellor Angela Merkel said.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish European Union Presidency seen as somewhat lacklustre (15.12.2006)
  Possible solution in sight in meat dispute between EU and Russia (15.12.2006)
  EU punishes Turkey with partial freeze of membership talks (12.12.2006)
  European Union not satisfied with Turkish offer on Cyprus (8.12.2006)
  PM Vanhanen rejects comparisons with previous Finnish EU Presidency (19.12.2006)