Finnish Prime Minister criticises "selfishness" of other EU countries

Vanhanen speaks at seminar in Rotterdam

Matti Vanhanen

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Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) says that the European Union is currently in a state of "stagnation". Speaking at a conference at Erasmus University in the Dutch city of Rotterdam on Tuesday, Vanhanen blamed those EU member states that have failed to enact what he sees as necessary reforms in their societies.
      "The communality that prevailed after Finland joined the Union, in the late 1990s, has become transmuted into an intergovernmental approach and even national selfishness. Decision-making is slow and creaky, and the Union does not come across as a particularly dynamic entity", Vanhanen said.
      Vanhanen said that the EU could achieve more vigour if it could decide this year on its financial framework, agree on the disputed service directive, and if member states would set up national plans of action to improve their global competitiveness.
     
The Finnish Prime Minister called for "far-reaching decisions" on the part of European politicians.
      "It is now more difficult than ever, since there seems to be an increasing resistance to any kind of change in Europe today. People want things to stay as they are, never mind what the rest of the world is doing."
      Vanhanen also told his audience that Finland has been successful in the development of its competitiveness. He noted that Finland has invested more in research and development work than is the average in Europe.
      He emphasised that the process of social reform is not yet over in Finland. He hopes that in five to seven years Finnish young people would start their working careers 1-1.5 years earlier than they do now.
      Vanhanen says that other EU countries have made note of Finland’s success.
     
Vanhanen noted that EU member states will have to seek economic growth outside the EU as well. He pointed out that trade between Finland and China grew by 60% last year. The growth in trade with Russia was 25% in 2004.
      He also predicted that the manufacture of goods would increasingly move to countries outside Europe.
      In his view, the value-added in Finnish production will increasingly focus on planning, research, marketing, finances, leadership, and logistics.
     
Vanhanen, who recently announced his candidacy for the Finnish Presidency, said that the EU question will not be a watershed issue in the campaign if President Tarja Halonen runs for a second term.


Links:
  Finnish government web site: Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen in EFR Business Week Conference at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, 19 April 2005

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