On the occasion of her official visit EP President Roberta METSOLA exchanges with young Finnish people at the University of Helsinki. This news item shows extracts from the statement of President Metsola and the exchange of views with students on the most important European Union affairs ahead of European Elections of 6-9 June 2024.

official visit

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Finland (T)

Finland

Helsinki

president's agenda

EE2024 campaign material (T)

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President in Helsinki (Finland): Town Hall Discussion with Young Finns

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75231198/1709541074914_I253732Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

External cutaways of the Town hall in Helsinki, Finland (4 shots)

Cutaway of the Town hall discussion with young people (1 shot)

Arrival of EP President Roberta Metsola (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The decisions that we take, why it matters, whether during the pandemic, it matters that we took decisions on health. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has mattered that we joined together on energy matters, that we have created financial structures in order to help the economies recover. That we continue to insist, that there are cultural programs, that there is Erasmus.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I'm going to ask you to leave this room and whoever is watching us online to leave this meeting with a mission to convince people your age to vote. You have a very open system in Finland. You can identify who your candidates are. If you vote, you hold them accountable.

Question regarding the possibilities to vote MEPs in different countries

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Until now, however, for this election, Paula, we still rely on the national electoral system. In other words, you as a EU resident in Finland, can either choose to go to the Spanish Embassy to vote or you register to vote for Finnish candidates.

Question regarding the EU enlargement process

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, 'Not only did those countries become wealthier, but the European Union, because of the single market, become wealthier. I have always seen enlargement as a win-win situation for the European Union.  And it is not only from an economic perspective, it's today also from a security perspective.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We have a very strict enlargement system. In other words, steps need to be taken. Different countries have different paths. It took over a decade for my country joined. It took much less for yours. Different processes but the transformational effect is amazing.

Question regarding the importance of smaller countries in European Union

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, It's not about the strength of the size of the country, but the strength of your values, ideals and integrity.

Selfies with EP President Roberta Metsola (6 shots)