16.5.12
Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson is worried that the reform of the EU Regulation on access to documents may lead to restrictions to openness. Minister Henriksson has sent a letter concerning this to Michael Cashman, Member of the European Parliament, who is rapporteur in the on-going review of the matter in the European Parliament.
16.5.12
On Wednesday 16 May, the Government adopted a cross-sectoral action plan on Finland¿s external economic relations. Implementation of the programme will support employment in Finland and, in particular, the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
According to the plan, a strategic steering group and secretariat working under the Prime Minister will draw up common long-term strategic guidelines to promote exports and internationalisation.
16.5.12
Under a decision issued by Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will allocate 1.9 million euros in humanitarian aid to the victims of the crises in the Sahel region and Syria. In addition, one million euros will be granted in support of the World Health Organisation humanitarian programme.
15.5.12
Solita Oy has been selected as the producer and system supplier of the electronic service for launching citizens' initiatives. The possibility to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament entered into force in the beginning of March. For the online collection of signatures, a free-of-charge online service maintained by the Ministry of Justice will be introduced in the autumn 2012. The construction of the system will begin immediately now that the supplier has been selected.
Via the online service it is possible to submit both citizens' initiatives to the Parliament and initiatives to the municipal authorities. It is also possible to support and follow initiatives launched by others.
