Finland Times

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen on Wednesday said that the rumors about money laundering in Cyprus must be taken seriously and the banking sector in Cyprus must function in a transparent manner based on European rules.

He also said that common money is not to be spent on addressing financial obscurities.

The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy and Vice-President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes in Brussels, said a government press release.

He also drew attention of the European Council to the Finland's special regional and agricultural policy features and the country´s financial contribution to the EU budget.

The meeting focused on the EU's Multiannual Framework (MFF). President Van Rompuy said that as the negotiations are still ongoing, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

Prime Minister Katainen drew attention to Finland's special regional and agricultural policy features, such as the special conditions of North and East Finland, and the development of our financial contribution to the EU budget and, in this respect, the need to find a fair solution to the issue.

 European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has not yet announced when the MFF negotiations among all 27 Member States will be resumed.

Prime Minister Katainen thanked Commissioner Kroes for the Commission's efforts to achieve the digital single market by 2015. The main objective of the Digital Agenda is to ensure the growth potential of ICT-based digital economies in all EU countries. Katainen emphasised that the project was important to Finland especially as regards copyright issues and the operating conditions for innovation companies.