Finland Times

The President,  Sauli Niinistö on Friday said that the domestic affairs are the main concern for Finland when the leaders of European Nations are in arguments following the remarks of British premier regarding holding a referendum to decide its membership in European Union.

In an interview with the CNN television during the ongoing World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, the Finland president also warned about the impact of cutting benefits from the human angel.

He, however, said that the Finland is not worried about the statement of the British prime minister David Cameron.

Niinistö said that in 2013, the biggest challenge for Finland remains in its own borders.

(Link to the full interview of the president is http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/business/2013/01/25/davos-quest-niinisto-finland-president-riskometer.cnn)

“We should take more and more care of social cohesion so that we don’t drop people out of society,” said the Finland president.

He said that it is important to understand that cutting benefits always hurt the people.

Pointing out some previous issues regarding facing difficulties, Niinistö said that Europe – as well as Finland – needs to remember these lessons.

“We have to keep in mind ... when we recover from this crisis ... that those who have lost have rightful compensation before those who haven’t lost,”  the president warned.

Earlier, Germany and France have warned  the UK Prime Minister David Cameron that Britain cannot pick and choose EU membership terms after he pledged a referendum.

Cameron said a poll would be held if the Conservatives were returned to power at the next general election, which is expected in 2015 and voters would be asked to choose between renegotiated membership or exiting.

Germany said the UK could not "cherry-pick" while France said "a la carte" membership was not on the table.