Sometimes the most scary words are the ones saying “we need to talk”. It immediately makes you tense, especially when you don’t know what it will be about.

“We need to talk” are the words starting this week’s Into the bubble.

It seems that Antti knows what went wrong.

But luckily for Antti, Jean-Claude is not a resentful kind of guy.

He only wants to make a point.

Will they make peace?

But what has really happened here?

These photographs were taken during the inaugural meeting of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It took place on July 5 and 6 in Helsinki between Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, several members of the Commission’s college and representatives of the Finnish government. On the photographs you can see both Jean-Claude Juncker and Antti Rinne, the prime-minister of Finland.

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union?

The Council of the European Union is one of the legislative institutions of the EU. It decides with the European Parliament on legislative proposals made by the European Commission. It’s composition depends on debated issues, but the Council is composed of relevant ministers of each member state.

The presidency of the Council changes every 6 months. Finland took over the presidency on the 1st of July 2019, and will hold it until the end of the year, when Croatia will replace Finland as head of the institution. The presidency is not an individual seat, but it is held by the national government as a whole.

What are the priorities of the Finnish presidency?

Each national presidency of the Council of the European Union presents a programme and priorities for the upcoming 6 months of mandate. It the case of Finland, the priorities are:
– to strengthen common EU values and rule of law (tying EU funding to compliance with rule of law, fighting corruption, etc.)
– to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive (increasing effectiveness of the single market, promoting an active industrial policy & innovation, etc.)
– to strengthen the EU’s position in climate action (achieving the Paris Agreement target, promoting a CAP adapted to climate change, etc.)
– to protect the security of citizens comprehensively (strengthening a united external action, helping to stabilise the EU neighbourhood)

Photograph credits : European Commission (Europe by Satellite)
Source: European Commission, Prime Minister’s Office Finland
Disclaimer: The story used in photographs is false and it was invented for the needs of the article.