European Council to discuss the situation in Georgia
Government Communications Unit
Press Release 237/2008
28.8.2008
On Thursday 28 August, the Government announced Finland’s representation at the European Council scheduled for 1 September in Brussels. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, assisted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb, will represent Finland at the Council. The President of the Republic, Tarja Halonen, will attend the meeting when it deals with matters within her remit.
The extraordinary European Council will address the situation in Georgia and the relations between Russia and the European Union. An issue of special importance at the meeting will be the humanitarian situation in Georgia.
The European Council is expected to discuss the EU’s participation in the efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Georgia. Finland calls for an EU-led conference of aid givers in order to support reconstruction in Georgia.
The situation in Georgia is affecting the relations between the EU and Russia. The European Union is expected to conduct the first discussions on the situation and its implications.
Further information: Kare Halonen, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2180; and Nina Hyvärinen, Counsellor, EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2191, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs
