The Manchester European Research Institute (MERI) at Manchester European University is holding this conference on the Finnish Presidency of the EU, 2006.The conference, which is sponsored by the JMCE at Manchester, the Finnish Institute in London and UACES, will examine the highlights, successes and failures of this presidency.

There will be a keynote speech by Markku Keinänen, Director of the Unit for General European Affairs & Coordination, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland, followed by a session assessing whether the Presidency fulfilled its objectives, with Dr Teija Tiilikainen, University of Helsinki, and Professor Lee Miles, University of Liverpool, as speakers. A session on the EU's internal policies will have contributions from Gary Titley MEP, David Mayes, Bank of Finland and Dr David Howarth, University of Edinburgh. External Relations will be covered by Professor Richard Whitman, University of Bath and a speaker from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and there will be a panel assessing the state of play in the EU after the Finnish presidency. The Finnish Embassy in London is sponsoring a reception afterwards.

Conference fees (including lunch, tea/coffee, and reception): £50 full fee; £30 for UACES and JMCE Manchester members; £20 postgraduates.