Finland was net contributor to EU last year
European Union membership cost nearly EUR 20 per capita
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Finland paid EUR 90 million more into European Union coffers last year than it received from the EU budget.
Finland's total receipts from the EU were EUR 104 million less than the total expenses incurred from membership, the Ministry of Finance reported on Monday. The figure for 2003 was EUR 117 million.
The calculations were based on information on closing of the state accounts, in addition to an estimate on the amounts of EU subsidies paid outside the state budget.
The Ministry of Finance points out that because of the timing of the annual calculations, the information concerning a single year does not give a completely accurate picture, for which an assessment covering several years would be necessary.
Finnish state income from the EU declined last year by EUR 40 million. This was mainly attributed to the exceptionally high level of structural supports, which was prompted by the payment of the final outlays for the previous period.
The Ministry of Finance says that Finland's position as a net contributor has altered from one year to another. Especially in 1998, 1999, and 2000, the net contribution was considerably high.
Measured in terms of the burden on individual Finnish citizens, the cost of the European Union to Finns last year was EUR 19.86.
Helsingin Sanomat
