Parliamentary work

Work in committees

The committees prepare Parliament's positions and are responsible for a large part of Parliament's daily work. Each MEP generally belongs to several committees. I am a vice-chairman of the Committee on Fisheries, a member of the Committee on Budgets and the ALDE group coordinator of the Committee on Policy Challenges. In addition I am a substitute member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs as well as a temporary committee on the financial and economic crisis.

Committee on Budgets

The Committee on Budgets is the most influential committee in the European Parliament. Through it Parliament exercises its power over the budget of the European Union and its institutions. The committee has a large work load but deals with interesting subjects. In this committee I can influence issues in all areas of the EU through the allocation of resources.

Here is a link to the committee's website.

Committee on Fisheries

As a vice-chairman of the Committee on Fisheries I can effectively influence the committee's work. Fisheries issues are very important for people living along our coast and not least in the Åland Islands. This is also the reason why I joined the committee that handles the Union's fisheries policy.

Here is a link to the committee's website.

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

As an economist I am especially interested in the issues that this committee addresses. The committee is presently considering timely issues involving the financial crisis and the measures that should be taken to prevent similar crises in future.

Here is a link to the committee's website.

Other committees

Committee work is of key significance in the European Parliament, and for this reason I actively follow matters that are under discussion in other committees. If necessary I can participate in committee meetings, since all MEPs have the right to attend and speak at all committee meetings.

Work in delegations

The European Parliament has appointed delegations to maintain and develop Parliament's international contacts. Delegation activities should, on the one hand, be aimed at maintaining and enhancing contacts with parliaments of states that are traditionally partners of the European Union and, on
the other hand, contribute to promoting in third countries the values on which the European Union is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. I am a member of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan and a substitute member of the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

Work in my political group

The Members of the European Parliament belong to different political groups according to their political background. I am a member of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). It has 84 members and is one of the larger groups in the European Parliament. I am also a member of the ALDE Bureau.

Visit the ALDE Group's website!

Work in internal groups

MEPs can also form voluntary cooperation groups on important themes. I am actively involved in two such groups, which focus on minority matters and the Baltic Sea.