PM Vanhanen sees yearning for hard core of EU as Cold War relic
Matti Vanhanen
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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) has strongly defended Finnish membership in the European Union. In a speech in the southeastern city of Kouvola on Monday, he also supported EU unity and enlargement.
Howerver, he wen ton to express veiled criticism of the EU strategy of previous governments, particularly the aim of having Finland in the "hard core" of the EU.
In Vanhanen's view, the motive focused on power politics, saying that it was "a blood relative of the ways that we operated during the Cold War".
"During the Cold War the power setup of Europe dictated neutrality to us. When the Cold War was over, we sniffed the wind, and sought to go where Europe's new power resided. We could say playfully that it doesn't matter what decisions are made, as long as we are making them", Vanhanen pointed out in his speech at a celebration of the Paasikivi Society in Kouvola.
Vanhanen noted that the situation is new. The EU no longer has a core of any kind. Typical of the enlarged Union are changing coalitions which disintegrate and regroup according to which issue is at hand.
What is most significant in the new situation in Vanhanen's view are the specific issues that Finland wants to promote in the EU.
"The starting points for my own priorities are that I want Finland to be a forerunner in questions related to competitiveness, innovations, and renewable energy", he said.
The Prime Minister's "motto" as the holder of the EU Presidency, is "more Europe, an a more united Europe".
Jari Vilén, the chairman of the Grand Committee of the Finnish Parliament, sharply rejected Vanhanen's view of the EU's core. Vilén feels that the EU continues to have different types of cores, and that Finland should be involved in all of them.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 7.11.2006 - TODAY |
 PM Vanhanen sees yearning for hard core of EU as Cold War relic |
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