EU Ministerial Committee Approved the Preliminary Presidency Agenda

The current agenda under discussion specifies the themes and objectives presented in the preliminary agenda that was approved by the Ministerial Committee in November 2005. Policy coherence, which is the main theme of the presidency programme of KEHYS, is also included in the preliminary agenda.

It is estimated that, during the EU presidency, Finland will focus on current challenges, such as globalization, improving the competitiveness, aging of the population, controlling the climate change and European security. In addition, Finland will promote the transparency of the EU action, the efficiency of decision-making and the quality of EU legislation.

"We will focus on honouring the commitments made in 2005, such as those on the formulation of a new European Consensus on Development and on the EU's strategy for Africa. Particular priorities include the achievement of better results through development cooperation and more coherent policies in relation to development issues such as trade and development", it states in relation to development policy.

The conclusions of the Austrian presidency and the European Council meeting of June will influence the final agenda of the presidency. The Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will inform the Parliament of the foci of the EU presidency.