Finland to increase "qualified majority" decision making

Prime Minister Antti Rinne said on Friday he is optimistic about the upcoming Finnish presidency period of the European Union despite the problems in reaching decisions at the European Summit this week.

The EU countries could not agree on the division of top posts, nor on the long term climate goals.

Talking to Finnish media after the end of the EU leaders summit on Friday, Rinne said "difficulties should not be anticipated" during the Finnish presidency even though agreements were not reached now.

"This is ordinary EU work," he told national broadcaster Yle.

Asked by reporters about ways to convince uncertain countries in the climate discussion, Rinne said "fighting the climate change is a beginning for a sustainable economy", and he said this is "an opportunity to the Europeans, not a danger".

Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on Friday that Finland plans to take up the increased use of "qualified majority" and "constructive abstentions" in the EU decision making.

Talking to a Finnish language newspaper Iltalehti, Haavisto said "bilateral ties of EU member countries with, for example, China and Russia must not be allowed to decay the foreign policy teeth of the EU", he said and warned that this could happen, if the consensus requirement is not given up.

Haavisto also underlined the importance of the Western Balkan area to the EU.

He said that as the presidency country Finland will ascertain that "all member countries support the official start of the membership talks" with Northern Macedonia and Albania.

He elaborated that officially the presidency country does not have such a role, but in practice it must look for a common stand. The EU Commission in May recommended the start, but countries so far have expressed differing opinions.

The foreign minister said that no country that meets the membership criteria should be excluded. "EU must keep its promises," he said.

He warned if EU says after all "no", the countries could look for other companions. Haavisto referred to the growing contacts with China and Russia with Western Balkan.