HELSINKI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Leading Finnish politicians on Friday urged Brazil to take measures to stop the fires that are destroying the Amazon rain forests.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto sent a message on social media that the situation accentuates the need for international cooperation in fighting forest fires. He said in a tweet that the international structures of offering assistance should be developed.
Prime Minister Antti Rinne said the fires in Brazil threaten the whole planet earth, not just South America. "The situation is serious for the climate and action is needed now," Rinne said, noting that he is concerned with the attitude that Brazil shows towards its forests now.
European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen told newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that the European Union (EU) would not yet resort to hard measures against Brazil.
He said the EU has been in contact with Brazil and other countries of the region and offered help, adding "It could also be financial assistance.".
Krista Mikkonen, the Finnish Minister for Environment and Climate Change, said that both trade policy measures and diplomatic measures should be worth adopting. "And a joint EU meeting is needed for that," she told national broadcaster Yle.
Mika Lintila, the Finnish Minister for Finance, suggested that Finland the EU could investigate whether the imports of Brazilian beef could be blocked.
In response to the demand on restricting import from Brazil, representatives of the retail sector in Finland said on Friday the sale of Brazilian meat in Finland is insignificant.
