Foreign Minister Tuomioja: A bigger role for the EU Commission in external relations

Finland supports the aspirations of the EU Commission and External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten to boost the Commission´s role in external relations, said Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja in a press conference on Tuesday. Minister Tuomioja agreed that the Commission´s objective is logical as it has the instruments, such as financial projects, to execute the decisions.

Minister Tuomioja shared Mr Patten´s view that a more detailed and practical approach on decision-making by the foreign ministers is required. At present the execution of decisions is unacceptably protracted as the Council of Ministers keeps to broad policy outlining.

Foreign Minister Tuomioja will participate in the unofficial foreign ministers´ meeting of the EU, the so called Gymnich meeting, in Evian, France, over the weekend.