THE PRIME MINISTER OF INCOMING EUROPEAN UNION CHAIR FINLAND, MATTI VANHANEN, SAID WEDNESDAY THE FINNISH PRESIDENCY WOULD LIKELY FOCUS ON HOW THE 25-NATION BLOC COULD IMPROVE ITS INTERNAL FUNCTIONING, DPA REPORTED. IN AN ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT BEFORE THE SUMMER RECESS, VANHANEN SAID FINLAND NOW HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO "FOCUS ON LONG-TERM ISSUES THAT ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE BLOC'S FUTURE." "IT IS HIGH TIME TO REFLECT ON HOW WE THINK THE EU SHOULD BE IN 10, 20 YEARS TIME, AND HOW TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS," HE SAID. IN HIS SPEECH, VANHANEN SAID FINLAND COULD ALSO HELP IMPROVE TIES BETWEEN THE EU AND RUSSIA, NOTING THAT THIS COULD INCLUDE NOT ONLY TRADE AND ENERGY BUT ALSO OTHER AREAS. OTHER PARLIAMENTARIANS ECHOED THE PREMIER'S REMARKS. FINLAND ASSUMES THE SIX-MONTH ROTATING PRESIDENCY ON JULY 1.
