Finland's influence on the EU has become an afterthought because it has been left at the feet of domestic politics.
Finland the ability and desire to influence the decisions being prepared in the European Union has varied over the years. There is evidence that Finland has made its voice heard. There is also evidence that Finland is late in influencing and disappointed. There is more evidence for slowness than for speed.
In Finland's EU journey, the sage of integration has moved from one side to the other. In the early years of EU membership, Finns applied for jobs in Brussels and learned French. L'Union européenne was très chic.
Since then, the love for integration has grown. According to a survey carried out in the autumn, the number of Finns in the European Union's positions is collapsing.
In recent years, Finns have been recruited to EU posts only half of the number that would be required to maintain the geographical balance. Finns in EU positions are retiring, and Finns have performed poorly in EU job competitions.
Enthusiasm has waned even from the decision-makers. In the early years of the EU campaign, ministers boasted about their visits to Brussels and their European contacts. Since then, EU influence has become an afterthought, because it has been left at the feet of domestic politics. Jorma Eton according to the poem: Finns have only answered when asked.
Petteri Orpon (kok) in the government program, the European Union is often mentioned and the EU is admirably linked to many of the government's goals. “The government is committed to enhancing Finland's EU influence and pre-influence and speeding up position formation,” the program says.
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The love for integration has run out.
The government decided the other week that from now on early influence on EU affairs will be a priority in all ministries and the Union's institutions will be better monitored.
Very good. But we're a little late again. The experienced, knowledgeable and networked people that are needed for early influence have flowed away from Brussels. Jori Arvonen (kok)'s controversial appointment as EU ambassador may be justified if he corrects this situation.
Preemptive influence the problem is also that a few ministers should change their populist anti-EU attitude to constructive and credible EU influence, when they try to translate the goals of the government program into concrete decisions made in Brussels.
But if you do that, then you will collect merite, which looks like a mere burden during the opposition period.
The author is the editor-in-chief of HS.
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