Halonen downplays need for Finnish ratification of EU constitution

Parliament debates issue on Wednesday

Tarja Halonen

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President Tarja Halonen has downplayed the importance of the ratification of the proposed European Union constitution by Finland. According to the President, the time and consequences of the ratification of the treaty need to be assessed realistically.
      Speaking on Monday at a seminar of the pro-EU organisation Eurooppalainen Suomi, Halonen said that she does not believe that Finland’s possible ratification would significantly advance the prospects of the treaty in other EU countries.
     
"This is simply a question of the time. Ratification as such has been a goal, and the ratification should take place, but is this the treaty, which will ultimately be ratified?" Halonen pondered.
      The President pointed out that possible Finnish ratification of the treaty would take place just before the Finnish EU Presidency and the Finnish Parliamentary elections next year.
      "It is good to be realistic with respect to one's own possibilities of having an influence, and in how it would affect the upcoming Parliamentary elections", she said.
      In the President’s view, there is also reason to assess how the possible ratification of the treaty would affect the confidence that Finns have in the EU and its political decision-making system. If the treaty is renegotiated, Parliament will have to ratify it again, she noted.
     
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament recommends that the draft constitution should be ratified by Finland. Parliament will discuss the matter on Wednesday in plenary session.
      President Halonen said that she would follow the debate "with an open mind".
      The implementation of the draft constitution was put on ice when voters in France and The Netherlands rejected it in their respective referendums.
      In her speech, Halonen said that she does not believe that the countries that have rejected the constitution can be persuaded to approve it later simply by ratifying it in as many other countries as possible.
      She emphasised that European integration is not based on coercion or pressure. She said that a new treaty can be obtained only through fair negotiations.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Prime Minister Vanhanen unimpressed by proposal for scaled-back EU constitution (20.4.2006)
  Grand Committee members favour Finnish ratification of EU constitution (7.4.2006)
  Finnish Parliament takes positive view of EU constitution treaty (30.11.2005)

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