State Secretary Hans Winkler had a meeting today with Paula Lehtomäki, Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, to exchange information and experience.
Their discussions concerned the future procedure on the Constitutional Treaty, cooperation with the European Parliament, the conduct of meetings with third countries and the broad field of European development cooperation. With regard to the latter, they specifically discussed the question of funding for the EU’s external assistance instruments, which is currently the subject of negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council.
"The Austrian and Finnish Presidencies have been working together very closely since the middle of 2005. There is close liaison and a lively exchange of experience in organisational matters and on substantive planning between our staff in Brussels and in the respective ministries in Vienna and Helsinki, as well as on the political level", State Secretary Hans Winkler declared. "Finland’s approach to the Presidency is similar to ours. A frank, constant exchange with our European partners, and with the European institutions, is the basis for credible and constructive action.”
Minister Lehtomäki said she is very satisfied with the teamwork and the course of the Presidency to date, and that she has every confidence Austria will make full use of the time remaining to solve issues still outstanding.
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