Heinäluoma criticises Finnish Schengen move, welcomes incomes agreement

Speaker calls for harmony on labour market

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Speaker of Parliament Eero Heinäluoma (SDP) has criticised Finland’s decision to block the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen zone. Speaking on a TV interview programme on the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) Heinäluoma said that the line taken by Finland is “problematic”.
      Heinäluoma said that it is hard to see what Finland would have at stake with Romania and Bulgaria staying out of Schengen, because people from these countries are able to move freely within the EU simply by showing a passport.
      “In this respect, I would recommend following the example of Germany and other Central European countries in allowing the Shengen membership of Romania and Bulgaria”, he said.
     
Finland joined The Netherlands in September in preventing Rumania and Bulgaria from joining the Schengen zone which allows travel within the area without passports.
      Heinäluoma said in the interview that Finland’s goal should be to get friends, and not in getting as many enemies as possible. He also said that he expects a compromise to emerge in the coming months, and that the situation will be dealt with.
     
Heinäluoma also appealed to employers' organisations and labour unions to work for industrial peace. He said that coming to agreement on incomes issues would be “the brightest thing that has happened in Finland in months or years”.
      Heinäluoma said that reaching an accord on the matter would be important for the success of Finland as a nation, as well as for private households and companies.
      He was pleased that a centralised contract was reached, saying that now, if ever, overall stability and predictability are important.
      Heinäluoma felt the framework agreement reached among the labour market organisations, with the help of the government, was in keeping with the way that former President Mauno Koivisto made decisions. “If common sense and principles were in conflict, common sense would win.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland and The Netherlands keep Romania and Bulgaria out of Schengen (23.9.2011)

See also:
  Labour market organisations announce centralised pay and conditions agreement (13.10.2011)
  European Parliament charges Finland and Netherlands with populism in Schengen dispute (13.10.2011)

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