Finland Times

 

Finnish Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson and French Justice Minister Christine Taubira at the meeting of the EU countries ministers in Helsinki on Monday. Photo – Lehtikuva.

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen on Monday emphasised paying attention to curbing corruption and breach of law in the European Union countries to strengthen democratic activities in the region.

 

Speaking at a seminar on “The Future of the European Area of Justice, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights” in Helsinki, the prime minister also warned that if continued, corruption would be a challenge for the EU.

 

“If we overlook corruption and breach of law, we undermine our own efforts to build a better Europe,” said Katainen, according to a copy of his speech released by the government.

 

Democracy cannot be established without the rule of law, he said, adding that he was very pleased that the European Commission was strengthening the instruments of the rule of law.

 

Katainen pointed out that the estimated cost of corruption to the European economy is around 120 billion euro a year, which he said was unacceptable. “We must strengthen our efforts to combat corruption.” 

 

International and European regulations are largely in place to fight corruption, mentioned the prime minister, adding that monitoring and enforcement should be improved in this regard.

 

He said the European Commission published the first EU Anti-Corruption Report in February. This provides a useful tool for addressing corruption in the Union. According to Katainen, this reporting mechanism should be fully used and should continue on a regular basis, every two years.

 

“We, who are responsible pro-Europeans, should not ignore the questions people ask about the European Union. People are asking very valid questions about corruption or weak rule of law,” said the prime minister, remarking that the problem is popular leaders usually provide false answers to good questions.

 

Earlier, in the morning, Katainen and Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson discussed the future of the European area of justice with ministers of justice from eight other EU member states.

 

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson spoke in the meeting. Photo – Lehtikuva.

The objective of the informal meeting was to frame a new strategic guidelines for justice in the European area in the meeting of the EU heads of states slated for June, said a Ministry of Justice press release.

 

“We have a good mutual understanding about the direction of the development of the European area of justice in the near future. We must, also in future, strive towards an open and safe Europe, where citizens can be certain that their rights are realised and where the member states can trust each other,” said Minister of Justice Henriksson.

Henriksson appreciated that “The EU member states have committed themselves to common values and obligations: adherence to democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law.’

 

The rest of the participants of the meeting were French Minister of Justice Christiane Taubira, Greek Minister of Justice Charalampos Athanassiou, Swedish Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask, Dutch Minister of Justice Ivo Opstelten, Danish Minister of Justice Karen Hækkerup, Latvian Minister of Justice Baiba Broka, Estonian Minister of Justice Andres Anvelt, and Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Justice Paulius Griciūnas.

 

Later, in the afternoon, a discussion was held on the future of the European area of justice, fundamental rights and the rule of law as well as anti-corruption activities that was open to the public. 

 

The event featured speeches by Prime Minister Katainen, Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights Morten Kjaerum. A panel discussion between the ministers of justice was also held. 

 

More than 300 participants pre-registered to attend the event at the University of Helsinki.