Two unique characteristics. It is fortunate for Europe that it is now Finland's turn to take the Presidency of the Council of the Community. This country shows two characteristics that the EU really needs just now: it is at the forefront in the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy, and it is immune to the in-fashion euro-scepticism. Finland is the proof that it is possible to carry out the economic, social and structural reforms required by world developments and still be at the forefront in the creation of the mythical “knowledge economy”, while remaining confident in the construction of a united Europe and sharing the accompanying political ambitions. Finland is the only Scandinavian country in the euro zone, and is even very much for the Constitutional project! A rarity, I'm telling you.
I'm not going to go into the detail of the new Presidency's plans, because Helsinki practices transparency, and the government is making its programme known much better than I ever could. The Permanent Representative has spoken informally to journalists about Finland's plans (see bulletin 9220), the foreign minister has held a lengthy press conference in Brussels, (see bulletin 9222) and the Prime Minister did the same in Helsinki. The European Parliament will be directly informed over the next few days in Strasbourg and there will be a debate at which each of the political groups will be able to speak and to criticise any points it does not like. I will restrict myself, then, to a few remarks on two key points.
Constitutional relaunch. It is not through well-crafted rhetoric that Finland expresses its backing for the project to give Europe a constitutional treaty, but through concrete and realistic acts. The realism is in recognising that the desired treaty cannot correspond word for word with the current project: amendments will be necessary. But, unlike some of his colleagues, minister Erkki Tuomioje, does not deduce from this that the existing treaty should not be ratified. On the contrary, the Finnish government has called on the national parliament to ratify it in September, and forecasts between 80 and 90% support. The aim of new ratifications is to “keep the process alive”. That is why Mr Tuomioja would like the process to be re-started in those Member States which suspended it, with the aim of having the constitutional treaty in place by 2008. Before then, the EU has to act within the framework of the current treaty (several actions and several areas where progress can be made are possible), without trying to anticipate what this or that arrangement in the constitutional treaty, which must retain its unity and coherence, the fruits of a delicate balance achieved from the various national starting positions.
One point in the minister's press conference struck me: in his opinion, it is essential to get rid of the term “Constitution”, which does not correspond to the objective being pursued and which, in some Member States, has had a negative influence on a section of the population. How long has Jacques Delors been saying that it was a mistake to use this term? The Presidency certainly agrees.
As well as setting an example, Finland will, as President, will carry out the task set it: to consult the European institutions and the Member States on the various options for getting out of the crisis in order to prepare the way for the German Presidency which will put forward “options” in 2007.
Enlargement and absorption capacity. Finland has taken very seriously the responsibility it has for launching the debate on the EU's ability to “absorb/assimilate” other Member States in the future, even though it has to wait for the report which the Commission will present in the autumn. The conclusions of the June Summit are clear on this issue: any accession other than those of Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia (which Mr Tuomioja says will not cause any particular problems) will have to be assessed in the light of what was said at the June Summit (paragraph 53): “It will be important to ensure in future that the Union is able to function politically, financially and institutionally as it enlarges and to further deepen Europe's common project” (see this column in bulletin 9217). The heads of government debate on this issue will take place at the Summit of 14-15 December. We can have full confidence in the Presidency to ensure that the principles set out are respected.
(F.R.)