27.1.12
The EU Heads of State or Government will have an informal meeting in Brussels on Monday 30 January. Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen will represent Finland at the meeting.
The meeting of the members of the European Council will focus on measures to enhance economic growth including steps to stimulate employment, develop the single market and improve the position of small and medium-sized enterprises.
27.1.12
On Friday 27 January in Brussels, Minister Stubb will attend the General Affairs Council (GAC) which will hold the first ministerial-level discussion during Denmark's EU Presidency on the EU's multiannual financial framework, the EU budget for 2014-2020.
27.1.12
On 26-27 January, Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen participates in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Prime Minister Katainen will take part in a panel on the future of Europe and the EU, focusing on themes such as the role of the Commission and the Council, ensuring cohesiveness in Europe and boosting Europe's regional and international role. The other panelists are political leaders of EU Member States, too.
26.1.12
A new form of participation on the state level, citizens' initiative, will be taken into use in Finland on 1 March 2012. It offers citizens a possibility to have their initiative considered by the Parliament. The objective of the new system is to promote free civic activity.
According to the new provision in the Constitution, which enters into force in the beginning of March, at least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament.
