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European and External Relations Committee

Finnish Ambassador to discuss Finnish Presidency of the EU at Holyrood

CEU006/2006 | 20 September 2006

His Excellency Jaakko Laajava, the Finnish Ambassador to the UK, will visit the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 28 September to outline Finland’s priorities for the Presidency of the European Council.

The Ambassador has accepted an invitation from the Parliament's European and External Relations Committee to address a public meeting at Holyrood.

The meeting, entitled "Plans and Priorities for the Finnish Presidency of the EU", will take place in Committee Room 5 from 1.45pm – 2.45pm.

Linda Fabiani, Convener of the European and External Relations Committee, said:

"The Finnish presidency of the EU comes at an exciting time for Europe as member states consider the forthcoming enlargement, the constitution and many other issues which directly impact on Scotland.

Irene Oldfather, Deputy Convener of the Committee added:

"This meeting will give people the opportunity to engage with the European Council’s priorities and question the Ambassador about these and other European issues so I am sure it will be a very interesting and lively meeting.”

The Ambassador will address the meeting for around 20 minutes before taking questions from the audience. A number of tickets are available to members of the public, and can be obtained by emailing europe@scottish.parliament.uk in advance of the event or calling 0131 348 5191.

Finland assumed the Presidency of the European Union from July 1 to December 31.

The Parliament's European and External Relations Committee has previously invited Ambassadors from countries that have held the Presidency to give a similar address.

The meeting will also be available to view live on the internet at the Scottish Parliament's webcasting site www.holyrood.tv.

Access Arrangements

Journalists are welcome to attend the meeting and are asked to contact the Parliament's Media Relations Office to make arrangements in advance.

Media without Scottish Parliament media accreditation should contact the Scottish Parliament Media Relations Office to organise a day pass (0131 348 6852).

Photography

Photography and broadcast access must be requested in advance as there will be no general admittance once the session is in progress.

Photographs will be available by contacting Andrew Cowan in the Scottish Parliament's Media Relations Office on 0131 348 6269 or photography@scottish.parliament.uk.

Footage will be available to broadcasters. Any requests for footage should be addressed to the Media Relations Office.

For further information, the Scottish Parliament media contact is:

Richard Holligan: 0131 348 5605
E-mail: richard.holligan@scottish.parliament.uk

European and External Relations Committee contact information

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0845 270 0152 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk