Columns and interviews
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11.7.2025
Reflections of a retiring forestry expert: networking is the key to influencing in the EU
What does it feel like to leave a career spanning several decades, from the early days of Finland’s EU membership up to the preparation of the most recent forest strategies? Tapio Kytölä, Senior Specialist in forestry and the bioeconomy, is just about to retire and shares his thoughts with us before relocating from Brussels back to Finland. The interview illuminates an impressive career path at the forefront of EU lobbying – from journalist to attache. It features the advice of an old hand to new EU lobbyists and recalls some of his favourite moments on the job.
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29.4.2019
Setting the table for long-term energy and climate policies: the new Finnish government will face far-reaching issues both in the EU and domestically
After the parliamentary elections on 14 April, it is time to look at the challenges for the next government. The formulation of energy and climate policies has to be based on long-term goals. The tasks of Finland’s future government have by and large been laid out by EU obligations. Finland’s Presidency of the EU Council, to start at the beginning of July, will provide us a unique opportunity to influence the EU priorities as we move towards a carbon neutral Europe. In Finland, special attention must be paid to improving the efficiency of emissions reduction measures in the sectors outside the Emissions Trading System. -
29.4.2019
Setting the table for long-term energy and climate policies: the new Finnish government will face far-reaching issues both in the EU and domestically
After the parliamentary elections on 14 April, it is time to look at the challenges for the next government. The formulation of energy and climate policies has to be based on long-term goals. The tasks of Finland’s future government have by and large been laid out by EU obligations. Finland’s Presidency of the EU Council, to start at the beginning of July, will provide us a unique opportunity to influence the EU priorities as we move towards a carbon neutral Europe. In Finland, special attention must be paid to improving the efficiency of emissions reduction measures in the sectors outside the Emissions Trading System. -
30.1.2019
Video: Jari Vilén - Current challenges in the Arctic region and what the EU can do about them
Jari Vilén, Senior Advisor in Arctic policy matters, spells out the challenges that we face today in the Arctic region. Climate change is a major issue, but there's more to it than that. -
26.4.2018
1.4 euros a day for safe and sustainable food
There is a talk a lot about Finnish agriculture and especially the ways to support it. This is a good thing. The topic is highly important, and support policy with all its complications is far from simple. Large amounts of the public funds collected as taxes are used to support agriculture and the rural areas, which is why public discussion is also needed. -
3.10.2016
LEADER 2030: pop-up involvement and solid development skills
LEADER is an excellent example of how the EU may be present in our everyday lives. Finland adopted the LEADER approach as the local development tool in 1996, one year after Finland's accession to the Union. Influence at the grass-root level was easy to adapt to the Finnish society and way of thinking, and it is going to have a significant role in the future as well. In the early years LEADER managed to win many of the EU critics in the rural areas on its side. -
8.11.2013
Security and defence – what is there to be expected in December?
At its December summit, the European Council will discuss the Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU for the first time in eight years. In recent years we have grown used to endless European Council meetings dealing only with the fate of the euro. Why have security and defence matters now risen onto the agenda of the heads of state? What objectives have been set for the talks? What results can be expected in December? -
8.11.2012
All languages are important in the EU – especially one’s own
Following the conclusion of its membership negotiations, Finland began to participate in the working parties of the Council of Ministers in spring 1994. At first we had observer status and were not entitled to speak, but following the signature of the Treaty of Accession in Corfu in June of that year, we acquired speaking rights. -
5.8.2010
The strength of the European Union
Two years ago, in the summer of 2008, I was making preparations for my move back to Brussels. I made a whistle-stop tour of Helsinki to find out what expectations people would have of me as Permanent Representative of Finland to the European Union. A great deal of useful input was forthcoming, but some advice that has stayed with me more than most was that given by Teija Tiilikainen: always remember the community method. -
9.9.2009