The government on Wednesday adopted a report on EU policy which sets out the government's EU policy objectives and provides government response to questions about the EU's future, said a government press release.
Justifying the government stance for adopting the report, the Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said that the EU is presently going through a transition period with the economic crisis and soaring youth unemployment creating ground for EU criticism and dividing its member states into various groupings.
“Oversimplified alternatives have been put forward as ways of resolving the problems: federalism or fragmentation. In my opinion, the best alternative for Finland is to take a constructive approach to integration and promote a fair and just European Union,” said the Prime Minister.
Katainen went on saying, “It is essential that the European Union respects its own values and rules. The EU is much more than a free trade area and economic community. It is a community of shared
values."
According to the report, Finland is committed to the single currency, strengthening the Economic and Monetary Union and supporting closer integration. Respect for the rule of law throughout the Union, which is also to be reflected in the daily lives of the citizens, is among Finland's key development areas.
With the intensifying global competition, increased attention should be placed on measures that strengthen the member states' potential for growth and competitiveness. At the same time, special importance must be attached to employment and well-being, the press release said.
Other Finnish priorities include efforts to strengthen the Economic and Monetary Union, develop a common energy policy, combat climate change, promote the free movement of people, enhance the Union's external actions and foster enlargement, the release read.
At this point, integration should be deepened within the framework of existing treaties. In Finland's view, reforming the EU's structures would not be timely now, the press release added.
