” “"The goal of the Finnish presidency is to improve economic growth and employment in Europe", as well as "to strengthen the position of the EU on the world economy scene". The presentation of the work plan of the six-monthly presidency of the European Union, which since July 1st has been taken over by Helsinki, is awaited this morning by the Strasbourg Parliament. The Finance Minister, Eero Heinäluoma, as he gave a preview of the guidelines of his sector, stated: "The basic means to accomplish these purposes are the guarantee of a monetary policy that aims at stability, as well as the acceleration of the structural and economic reforms". At yesterday’s meeting, the Assembly passed the package for the structural funds for 2007-2013: from next January, it will kick-start 308 billion euros’ worth of investments to support the new member states and the regions that lag behind in their economic and infrastructural development, for social cohesion, professional training and territorial cooperation. In addition, after two years of negotiations, the EU Parliament passed a directive that requires the member states to implement by 2008 "systems for the collection and reuse of batteries" for the protection of the environment.” “
