The Finnish Parliament’s Grand Committee issued a Statement to the Government on the Government’s EU Strategy for 2017 on 31 March 2017.
The Government paper covers proposals in the Commission’s annual work programme that the Government considers of particular importance, as well as the Government’s views on Brexit and the future of the EU. The government paper was published in December 2016.
The Grand Committee’s statement deals in greater depth than the government paper with Finland’s approach to the debate on the future of the EU. The Grand Committee considers that the future direction and effectiveness of the EU are paramount among Finland’s strategic issues for the year.
The Committee approved its Statement following a vote. The Social Democrat, the Green, the Left, the Swedish and the Christian Democrat Parliamentary groups, appended dissenting opinions.
The Statement (in Finnish) can be read on the Eduskunta’s website.
The assumptions of Finnish EU policy are changing
The Committee Statement deals in general terms with different policy sectors, but the Committee chose to deal with specific EU proposals separately in the normal EU scrutiny procedure. Policy sectors mentioned include better regulation, migration, the link between the internal market and Europe’s political cohesion, climate policy, the recycling and bio economy and trade policy.
The Committee also makes observations on the United Kingdom’s future relation to the EU and on the protection of shared values in the EU.
The Grand Committee observes that the UK’s Brexit referendum, the euro crises, migration, terrorism and security issues all imply a fundamental change in the EU’s field of activity. At the same time, respect for international law has weakened and multilateral international cooperation has decayed globally. Within the EU’s member states, there is distrust towards both supranational and intergovernmental decision-making.
The committee notes that the changed playing field demands that Finland improves its ability pro-actively to identify strategic issues and formulate policies.
Finnish EU policy is due for an update
A debate on the future Europe will ensue this year based on, int. al., the Commission’s White Paper, the Rome Declaration, and the reflection papers that the Commission will publish in the near future.
The Committee considers that the situation prevailing in 2017 will put greater demands than before on the Government’s ability to identify and assess alternative paths for the EU’s development, and to formulate, for submission to the Eduskunta, proposals for Finland’s objectives.
The Grand Committee agrees with the Government that the EU should be developed in ways that ensure the union’s cohesion. To regain citizens’ trust, the Union must reform and focus on essentials. The Committee also emphasises respect for commonly agreed rules and the principle of subsidiarity.
The Grand Committee notes that EU membership is the best way for Finland to ensure our relations to the world, while defending the security and well-being of our citizens. Of available alternatives, EU membership offers the best tools to address Finnish interests in trade, climate policy and national security.
The Committee does consider, however, that after more than 20 years of membership, post-enlargement, and in a radically different economic and security environment, it is high time for Finland to review and update its EU strategy.
Attitudes to the EU and its ideological foundations have become polarised and divisive in many member states. Citizens’ support for EU integration has rested on its successes, e.g. economic growth. Reduced growth and recurring economic crises have made visible the democratic deficit of European structures.
The apparently permanent disagreement among the member states on major issues, such as the economic crisis and responses to migratory fluxes, also test the effectiveness of the Union. The crises have further exposed the varying commitment of member states to implement policies to which they nominally have committed themselves.
The Grand Committee considers it important to form a realistic assessment of levels of commitment to the values assumed common to all member states. Practical experience seems to suggest that values within the Union may be quite diverse.
The Grand Committee observes that the EU’s cohesion and its effectiveness are each preconditions for one another – the Union’s future depends on reinforcing both. Finland needs to participate actively in promoting an integration in line with our national interest.
Parliament’s involvement in the debate on the future of Europe is essential
The Constitution requires that Finnish policy actions in the EU be submitted to Parliament in advance, if they fall within the powers of Parliament. The Grand Committee points out that decisions on institutional and programmatic reform of the EU fall within the the powers of Parliament to the highest degree.
The Grand Committee requires that the Government submits to Parliament a statement on Finnish objectives for the future of Europe and provides updates as the issue progresses.
The Grand Committee agrees with the Foreign Affairs Committee that the government statements dealing with different aspects of Finland’s external relations need to be developed. Parliament should be able to debate at the start of each Parliament the various components of external policy based on coordinated, cohesive and thoroughly prepared Government Statements.