| The heads of Hungary’s and Finland’s foreign ministries were in agreement at a meeting in Helsinki on the heightened need for the so-called Eastern Dimension - relations with the Caucasus and the former Soviet republics in Central Asia -of the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy. They agreed to jointly present a study on which kind of relations should be built between the EU and the countries of the region. Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz held talks with her counterpart Alexander Stubb, as well as Astrid Thors, Minister for Immigration and European Affairs. Ms Göncz announced after the talks that both Finland and Hungary maintain a very strong interest in expanding EU relations with its eastern neighbours. One of the main focuses of the two foreign ministers’ meeting was the current international role of Russia, as well as the relations between the Union and Moscow. The subject was particularly topical given the Georgian crisis and the fact that the EU intends to reconsider its relations with Russia. Future relations between Moscow and the Union are also part of research carried out by the Helsinki Aleksanter Institute, which Ms Göncz also visited during the day. Due to its close economic ties, Helsinki strives to understand Russia’s standpoints and places a large emphasis on continuing dialogue with Russia, said Ms Göncz concluding her talks with the Finnish ministers. As regards energy policy it is important to note - she added – that Finland is less dependent on Russian gas deliveries. Though natural gas is sourced from Russia, the proportion of its use is much smaller than in Hungary because the Finnish make much better use of renewable energy sources. In connection with the situation in Georgia, Ms Göncz paid great tribute to the active role which Foreign Minister Stubb - who holds the rotating presidency of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - played in conflict resolution. The world financial crisis was also discussed. The two foreign ministers gauged how the issue should be treated at the European Council’s meeting next week. Ms Göncz and her Finnish partners discussed progress in the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and various possibilities for resolving the situation after the treaty was rejected in the Irish referendum. Both foreign ministers agreed that bilateral relations were proceeding very smoothly. They said that the most important aspect was to utilise mutual sympathy and common Finno-Ugric roots for the sake practical co-operation. A youth exchange programme has been launched because both sides stress the importance of expanding civil relations as well as official ones. (October 7, 2008)
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