Finland and Germany to prioritise energy during EU presidencies

Finland and Germany will make energy policy a key priority during their respective six-month EU presidencies -- Finland takes over this July, Germany next January -- their leaders said on Tuesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhannen met in Berlin on Tuesday evening to discuss their plans for the European Union. Both said they were pleased that energy policy had established itself as a key issue in European debates.

They alluded to recent tensions between the EU and Russia, accused in some quarters of deliberately using its immense energy resources as a political weapon in the context of spiralling oil prices.

The two leaders also mentioned development, research and employment as important policy areas for the EU to work on.

"In addition to energy policy, I am sure that Finland will place a great deal of emphasis on one theme that we too are keen to promote, and that is research and innovation," Merkel said.

The two countries enjoy "a high degree of agreement" on the policy goals to be pursued, she added.