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Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Tarja Halonen in the European Parliament on 21 July 1999, presenting the programme for the Finnish Presidency of the European Union.

Unofficial translation

Madam President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

It is my pleasure to express warm congratulations to the newly elected members of the European Parliament. Madam President, please accept my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your appointment. I am very pleased to be able to start cooperation with you.

I will present the main points of the programme for the Finnish Presidency of the Union and in addition as has been requested by the European Parliament, focus on the situation in the Western Balkans and the death sentence imposed on Mr Ocalan, the Kurdish leader.

However, I will start by saying a few words on the general development of the Union.

I fully agree with Mr Prodi that the Union must reform itself. We are not talking about one single reform nor the reorganisation of any single institution but about a continuing process. We need to bear in mind that the Union is both unique and stable because of the fact that it has shown itself able to grow, expand and respond to an increasing number of challenges.

As we today start to work together, we have been given a chance for a new beginning. The new Parliament has just started its work. The new Commission is in the process of being nominated. Finland has, for the first time, assumed the Presidency of the Council. The Treaty of Amsterdam, which recently came into force, provides us with an excellent tool for developing even closer cooperation between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council. Now we have an excellent opportunity to start reform of the working methods.

Several ideas have just been expressed about how the Commission should be reformed. Personally, I would like to underline that the Council´s work must also be developed.

It is a paradox that as the weight of the Union grows, work in the Council is threatened by fragmentation of power. The Council, like the entire Union, has to focus on the essential. The Council is expected to show political leadership which gives real added value to the life of the citizens.

During the Finnish Presidency, we intend to introduce and implement a number of measures to improve the Council´s work. We intend to make changes to enhance transparency and efficiency of the Council. We consider that more transparency is required for the Union to be legitimate in the eyes of its citizens. We also wish the General Affairs Council to assume the role foreseen for it to lead the work of the Council. We need to do our best for the Union to be and to be seen as one. The Union has to have a common political will and a common voice.

Finland has assumed the Presidency of the Council at a time when the Union´s capacity to react to external events is facing exceptionally great pressures.

The war in the Western Balkans has caused a huge amount of human suffering and material loss. The European Union has to be prepared to invest in the development of the Western Balkans region both on the political and economic fronts in order to make it possible for democracy and stability to prosper.

During her Presidency, Finland will pay special attention to an effective and consistent management of the Union´s external activities. The follow-up of the Kosovo crisis and stabilisation of the situation in the Western Balkans are the most demanding challenges for us.

On Monday, the General Affairs Council emphasised that the Union still intends to reach out to the Serbian people who have suffered as a result of the detrimental policies of its leaders. At the next phase, as we begin to lift sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, we will stress the distinction between the Belgrade regime and the population. The government of FRY has to fulfil its commitments under United Nations Security Council resolution 1244, cooperate fully with the ICTY and make decisive steps forward towards democratisation.

On Monday, it was agreed that we begin by lifting sanctions affecting the population, such as the flight ban and discouragement of sports. We underlined the need to rapidly exempt Kosovo and Montenegro from oil and other sanctions.

We consider it important to support all forces in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which demonstrate their commitment to democratic values. The next step would be to identify the ways and means to alleviate their situation. Priority should be given to measures such as providing electricity and petrol. We therefore asked the Commission and the competent working bodies make proposals to these ends without delay.

In addition, we confirmed in the General Affairs Council the decision made by the Heads of State and Government on the seat of the European Agency for Reconstruction and on the Stability Pact Summit in Sarajevo.

The Kosovo crisis may be a water shed for a determined development of the Union´s external operations. The selection of instruments for the Union´s external operations has to be widened in order to improve its functioning, our capacity for early warning of crises has to be improved and follow-up to crises made more efficient.

We had a long discussion on this issue in the open debate of the General Affairs Council meeting on Monday. We were all unanimous in that this sector ought to be developed as soon as possible.

With a consistent and determined policy the European Union has greatest potential to promote the stability in the Western Balkans region. However, I wish hope we will remember, that the Union is not bearing responsibility for the follow-up to the Kosovo crisis alone. We are working in close cooperation with other countries and international organisations. In fact, it is necessary to further develop and deepen cooperation with the United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

The European Parliament has often emphasised the important role of the Union as an initiator and guarantor of the peaceful and balanced development of our continent. In fact, this is the essence of the next enlargement: the European Union will gradually grow into a European-wide union.

The next enlargement will differ from all the previous ones at least in one respect. The deepening of the cooperation of the Union has reached such level that it sets great demands to all applicant countries to reach it.

I am convinced, however, that these demands will benefit both the applicant countries and the Union. Fulfilling the criteria strengthens social and economic development in the applicant countries. The applicant countries have become aware of this, too. Enlargement is a process that has to make constant progress and that should not be endangered by empty promises.

It is the aim of the Finnish Presidency to continue with determination the accession negotiations. Our aim is to close as many negotiation chapters as possible and open new ones. The Helsinki European Council is to agree upon opening of accession talks for new applicant countries on the basis of the Commission report. At the same time we will examine how to develop relations with other European countries and give thought to the long-term prospects for EU enlargement.

Enlargement requires reform of the Union´s institutional system. We have already started the preparations for a new intergovernmental conference and our aim is to submit to the Helsinki European Council a report by the Presidency concerning the IGC. The opinion of the European Parliament is very important in this reform work and I have been pleased to note that the views of the Parliament and the Presidency are very similar on many questions.

When speaking of the enlargement, we cannot forget Turkey. Turkey is an important partner to the Union. It participates in the enlargement process and a European Strategy has been established for it. The membership prospects of Turkey depend on its progress in implementing democratic reforms and improving human rights and the rights of minorities.

In this connection I would like to emphasise that the European Union does not accept the use of capital punishment in any circumstances or anywhere. Abolition of capital punishment is a common objective of the European Union.

The Finnish Presidency will be following the situation. It would be a regrettable turn in the Turkish politics were the death sentence of Abdullah Ocalan, the Kurdish leader, to be implemented. Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe and has, through its membership, agreed with the objective to abolish the capital punishment. No death sentences have been implemented in Turkey since 1984. We hope that Turkey will continue the moratorium until capital punishment has been abolished.

We hope that the Turkish Parliament will use its possibility to review the sentence. Turkey has expressed her desire to join the European Union. The non-application of capital punishment forms part of the common values of the European Union.

I will not go through the whole Programme of the Finnish Presidency here today. My visit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs on 31 August gives an occasion to continue the discussion on external relations. There will surely be several current issues on the agenda then, Russia and the Northern Dimension among others. However, I would still like to raise one more current issue.

The prospects for the Middle East peace process are now, with the new government of Mr. Barak, brighter than for several years. The EU will play a politically active role in advancing the peace process and also provide economic support. I plan to visit the area in early August to meet the central actors and to convey the ideas of the Union for promoting the peace process.

Whether it is a question of the enlargement of the Union or direct measures to prevent and manage various crises, one thing is certain. We are only able to help others, if our citizens’ well-being is on a steady foundation.

Knowledge and skills will form the foundation of economic competitiveness and the welfare of the Member States and the Union, as we move into the next millennium. The information society presents a new opportunity for individuals, businesses and public administration. The Finnish Presidency will underline the efficient use of the information technology as a factor in the competitiveness of business sector.

At the same time, we have to guarantee that development does not lead to inequality. Both the EMU and the internal market offer the Union new potential that has not yet been fully exploited. A healthy economy is the only solid base for building higher employment sustainably. The Union’s measures must contribute to the attainment of concrete results within this field as well. The gradually improving employment situation lets us believe we are on the right track.

The Finnish Presidency will continue to promote youth and equality between men and women as well as economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development in addition to the well-being of citizens. I am aware that these issues are also dear to the European Parliament. The Parliament has done important work to promote them.

I spoke earlier of how the Union may influence the strengthening of security both in Europe and globally. The security of people does not only mean the absence of war, it also means economic security and respect of human rights and protection given by the rule of law.

The special meeting of the European Council in Tampere will concentrate on creating a common immigration and asylum policy with greater emphasis on solidarity and on reinforcing efforts to combat cross-border crime.

We must harmonise and converge our legislation, implement decisions and judgements between member states and remove administrative and legal obstacles to cooperation.

I started with the idea that to succeed in its tasks the Union must cooperate closely and openly with various actors and it must have the active backing of its citizens. The European Parliament plays a key role in this cooperation.

I would like to wish all members of the European Parliament energy and enthusiasm at the beginning of the new term. I also wish to assure you that the Finnish Presidency looks forward to our cooperation.

Källa