PM calls for clarity in EU policy
Seminar held at Finlandia Hall
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In the view of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre), Finland needs to be active and skilled in the European Union if it wants to wield influence in the EU.
“The EU is a significant channel of influence for Finland. Finland needs to remain in the mainstream of the EU. There is no influence from the margins”, Vanhanen said on Monday at an EU seminar held at Helsinki’s Finlandia Hall.
The purpose of the seminar on the “state of will of Finnish EU policy” in the next decade was to create a foundation for a report on EU policy that the government is scheduled to submit to Parliament this spring. The aim of the report would be to draw up the basic policy lines of Finnish EU policy, the focal points of its content, and its strategies of influence.
“We need to have a clear concept of what kinds of things we want to promote in the Union”, Vanhanen said.
In the Prime Minister’s view, Finland must concentrate on issues in the EU which bring added value to Finland. These topics include energy policy, climate questions and strengthening the coordination of economic policy.
According to Vanhanen, the domestic debate on the EU does not always reach the dimensions to which it should extend.
“Irrational criticism trivialises discussion of the EU. Ultimately it shows contempt toward the citizens. It is important to speak, and not frighten people”, he said.
Social Democratic Party chairwoman Jutta Urpilainen called for an "eco-social renewal" of the EU. She said that with the help of massive investments in environmental and energy technology, it would be possible to create 10 million “green collar” jobs in the EU in the next ten years.
Former President Martti Ahtisaari noted that it would not be good from the point of view of the EU if Turkey’s membership talks were to be cut off. He pointed out that not all is well in some of the countries that seek to criticise Turkey.
Ahtisaari is a member of a group set up to evaluate the relationship between the EU and Turkey, which drew up a report on the matter in September.
“It will contain some rather critical evaluations of certain key member states”, Ahtisaari said.
On Finland’s policy line he said that it is important in EU matters to show national unity and an "eye for the game".
Nokia Chairman of the Board Jorma Ollila startled the participants in the seminar by reading from a US report according to which the EU is destined to having an onlooker’s role on the stage of world politics, because it is unable to be more cohesive.
He said that Finland’s success will be determined by two things: how Finland handles its own affairs, as well as leadership and people.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 3.2.2009 - TODAY |
 PM calls for clarity in EU policy |
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