European education key during Finnish EU presidency

Antti Rinne, the chairman of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland -SDP) and the likely next prime minister, on Saturday underlined European education issues as a key point during the Finnish EU presidency later this year.

Interviewed on national television Yle, he said action is needed to compensate the exit of British universities from Europe, if Brexit happens.

Rinne underlined that Europe can only succeed with know-how and education. He said university structures must be developed in the EU to secure basic research, "with unlimited resources through a European university network".

A "Super-Erasmus" program would ensure stronger development of research. Erasmus is the name of a European student exchange system created in the late 80s.

Rinne also said the EU must take the lead in defending the rules-based international cooperation and trade. In practice, this means strengthening the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.