Mr Vanhanen will welcome Annemie Neyts, ELDR Party President and the Prime Ministers Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Denmark), Calin Popescu-Tariceanu (Romania), Ivars Godmanis (Latvia) and Andrus Ansip (Estonia) as well as Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group in the European Parliament. A number of liberal European commissioners will also be present.

Commenting ahead of the summit, Mrs Neyts said “I am very pleased that Prime Minister Vanhanen has taken the initiative to organise this event. In the presence of ELDR Prime Ministers and Commissioners I am looking forward to discussing our common strategy and approach to the 2009 European election campaign as well as other prominent issues that require EU level action.”

The participants will discuss the preparations for the ELDR 2009 electoral manifesto and the upcoming nominations ahead of further discussion on this subject at the ELDR Council meeting that will take place in Tallinn, Estonia on 11th April 2008, also in the presence of the Prime Ministers Andrus Ansip (Estonia) and Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Denmark).

In addition to a busy political schedule, the leaders and commissioners will also enjoy a snowmobile safari, which is sure to catch the imagination of the participants as well as provide journalists with a photo opportunity.
A press conference and lunch will take place on Monday 7th April from 11.30.
Journalists interested in attending the press conference should contact Mr Matti Monttinen: matti.monttinen@keskusta.fi, mobile +358 50 388 0009 or Ms Chiara Puletti: cpuletti@eldr.eu, tel. +32.2.2370143.

Summit participants are available to the media according to the attached schedule. Hotel Rantasipi Rukahovi, located in the centre of Ruka, will provide working facilities for the media. Media accommodation is also arranged at hotel Rantasipi Rukahovi. Please make your bookings as soon as possible, telephone +358 85 910.
Flights departing from Helsinki to Kuusamo (Ruka)

(Finnish time)

5 April, 2008

AY393 at 07:45
AY395 at 11:50
AY397 at 16:20

6 April, 2008

AY393 at 07:45
AY395 at 11:50

Flights departing from Kuusamo (Ruka) to Helsinki

7 and 8 April, 2008

AY396 at 13:35
AY402 at 20:55

You can book your flights at www.finnair.fi

Journalists interested in the summit should contact Mr Matti Monttinen: matti.monttinen@keskusta.fi, mobile +358 50 388 0009 or Ms Chiara Puletti: cpuletti@eldr.eu, tel. +32 2 237 0143

Summit schedule for the media

Sunday 6 April, 2008

(Finnish time)

13:35 hrs Finnair flight AY391 lands at Kuusamo (Ruka) airport (majority of summit participants will arrive on this flight)
- photo opportunity

14:00 hrs Safari with snowmobiles or husky dogs (starting point is located in the vicinity of the airport)
- photo opportunity
- media transportation by bus from safari starting point to Pohjanseita camp site

15:30 hrs Safari break at Pohjanseita camp site
- photo opportunity, short interviews

20:00 hrs Buffet dinner for representatives of the media

Monday 7 April, 2008

11:30 hrs Press conference and lunch at restaurant Vanha Karhu (address: Rukarinteentie 1, about 1 kilometre from hotel Rantasipi Rukahovi
- in English