Finland’s two summit representatives

Finland is special among the Union's member states, in that it has two representatives at EU summits, the president and the prime minister.

The country's constitution says that EU affairs are the responsibility of the prime minister, but the president is in charge of foreign policy in collaboration with the government. This arrangement has in the past led to disagreements, but both President Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen give assurances that it works well in practice. It is thought that the issue will have to be settled in the longer term, but probably not until Halonen's present term of office comes to an end, in 2012.

Halonen's role during Finland's EU presidency will be at the several summit meetings that she will attend and co-host. An informal EU summit at Lahti on 20-21 October will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the EU-Asia summit which will be held in Helsinki in September, Halonen will use her network of worldwide contacts. Finland has strengthened economic ties with Asian countries, especially China, where Nokia is the biggest mobile phone manufacturer. A large part of the company's growth comes from the Chinese market.

Finland is special among the Union's member states, in that it has two representatives at EU summits, the president and the prime minister.

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