Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan

FCCJ Luncheon Meeting 21 June 2006

Theme:
"The Finnish Presidency of the EU July-December 2006"
"Goals and priorities"

Speaker: H.E. Mr. H.E. Mr. Jorma Julin, Ambassador of Finland to Japan

RECAP

Ambassador Julin pointed out in his presentation that the EU has brought many concrete benefits for its member countries, sometimes overlooked by the citizens and they have got used to them. The sentiments in Finland have become more negative to the EU as its financial burden has grown and it has become a net contributor.

But there are clear benefits. The free movement of goods, services and people in a common market. Lower prices because of more competition. For example food prices in Finland have come down by 12 % since it joined the EU.

Some of the key goals for the Finnish EU Presidency are the European competitiveness, improved EU cooperation with Russia, climate change and energy.

Events in Tokyo during the presidency include a conference on ubiquitous network society in October. High level visits from Finland are the Minister of Transport and Communication and the Speaker of the Parliament. The Embassy will head 8 working groups with representatives of other EU Embassies in Tokyo.

The meeting was attended by 27 members and guests.

IMAGES FROM THE MEETING

As Ambassador Jorma Julin put it; before you can enjoy lunch, you have to listen to my presentation.	Ambassador Jorma Julin
Enjoying the luncheon at the Embassy	From left: Erik Ullner , Eero Tammila (back to camera), Seppo Rantanen, Samuli Pahkala and Kalevi Lehikoinen
From left: Jonathan Perry, Akseli Koskela , Veli-Matti Lahti, Timo Skog (back to camera), Miika Heiskanen and Takashi Yokoyama.	From left: Isao Nishimura (back to camera), Liisa Karvinen, Yoshinori Sano, Yukio Sakurai and Hiroaki Sugawara
From left: Takaaki Satake (back to camera), Isamu Maeda, Haruko Onda and Keith Moynes (Embassy of Ireland) and Mitsuo Okabe.	Ambassador Jorma Julin