Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade of Finland Alexander Stubb and the delegation of Lappeenranta University of Technology visited Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University on November, 15.

The Agreement on cooperation in science and education between Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University and Lappeenranta University of Technology was signed within the official frames of the visit.

Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade of Finland Alexander Stubb, who was introduced to students and professors of Kazan University by KFU President Myakzyum Salakhov, delivered a lecture “Will Europe survive after the crisis?” The lecture covered the history, structure and modern activities of the European Union; the reasons of the economic crisis and recommendations to survive it.    

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states which have the single market to ensure the free movement of people, goods, capital and services including the absence of passport control within Schengen Area (which includes 22 EU and 4 non-EU states). The EU enacts legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development. A monetary union, the eurozone, is composed of 17 member states.       

"The European Union is a success story, the number of countries willing to join it is steadily growing," said the Minister. Alexander Stubb emphasized the importance of a single law for the EU countries.

According to A. Stubb, the poor management of public sectors and the lack of management institutions of the currency sector are the main causes of the economic crisis in Europe. Europe may overcome the crisis in 4 years.