Kosonen the EU old hand turns 60
The European Union’s Permanent Representatives Committee has seen representatives of many countries come and go, but one of the current ambassadors has sat in the chamber for longer than others. He is Eikka Kosonen, 60-year-old EU old hand. Kosonen has witnessed almost everything possible at the EU. Yet he still has enough drive for new challenges. Eikka feels that, first and foremost, he is a Finnish diplomat, even though he has lived in Brussels for eleven years, five of them back in the 1980s.
- I regard myself as patriotic. I do not feel it conflicts at all with being a European. Finnish interests are achieved best through European integration, says Kosonen.
Almost all the Finns of Brussels know or, at any rate, know of Eikka Kosonen. Kosonen has a string of titles: Finland’s Ambassador to the EU, Finland’s Permanent Representative at the EU and Chief of the EU Representation. Kosonen is a senior official at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, but at the EU Representation he represents the Finnish Republic and the country’s government.
Kosonen took up his post as Chief of the EU Representation at the beginning of 2002. Eikka became the most experienced sitting Coreper representative when German ambassador Wilhelm Schönfelder retired in the summer of 2007. The Permanent Representatives Committee, Coreper 2, deals at the EU mainly with questions relating to external relations, internal matters, finance and the general development of the Union.
What kind of man is Kosonen actually? People that know Eikka more closely describe him as a persistent, patient and tenacious negotiator. He has a calm and unpretentious nature, is a real diplomat, someone who gets out of difficult situations with a twinkle in his eye. But people who have worked with Eikka know that he is able if necessary to be firm and decisive.
Naturally, Kosonen does not want to assess his own activity as head of the Representation. He says that he strives to do his work responsibly – both as a person and as head of the Representation.
- I am ready to listen and as far as possible take account of everyone’s wishes and views. I hope that I am felt to be co-operative. I’d rather not order professional people about, says Kosonen.
Music and sport close to the heart
The EU Ambassador is known for going round Brussels with his eye on his watch. His tight schedule is illustrated by the fact that this interview, too, was squeezed in between two meetings at Justus Lipsius. But, when there is time, Eikka sits down relaxed and ready to comment on any subject.
- The job of an ambassador at the EU Representation is highly work-oriented. Weekdays are dedicated from morning till evening to work. Time off at weekends is spent on relaxing, including being with his wife, reading and music, keeping abreast of sport and, from time to time, also active exercise such as tennis.
He has not had to search far for tennis lessons. The department janitor at the EU Representation, Harry Lönnqvist, is also a tennis coach by profession and has previously been a classified active player. Mr Kosonen is otherwise a sports fan. For example, he is more than keen to have a chat if the conversation turns to football.
Music is also generally close to the heart of the Kosonen family. Eikka and his wife Raija, a piano and flute teacher, got to know each other in a student choir. Their offspring have also found their life in music, even at professional level.
Kosonen feels that he has managed well in his work, also during the Finnish Presidency in 2006. As the Coreper2 Chairman, he felt that he got professional help from all the Representation’s employees and from the Commission and Council Secretariat.
- Undeniably, the Presidency was a challenging, difficult and demanding task. But, on the other hand, I was not left with any nasty taste from the job. The Presidency was also a very interesting and rewarding time, says Kosonen.
Like many other Representation employees, Kosonen has taken part in an occupational health association study. The project has looked at, e.g., the pulse rate of the heart in stress situations. Kosonen has been spared health problems, even though recovering from a tough stretch of work does take time.
- Luckily, I have not experienced deep exhaustion or burnout, even though it is true that you don’t always notice such things yourself, he says.
Co-operation is the key at the Representation
Kosonen says that the permanent EU Representation has been a very rewarding work environment.
- Its great strength lies in the fact that the Representation has highly competent experts from different fields. Employees are motivated and morale is good. Their professionalism and cooperativeness are noteworthy, says Kosonen.
Kosonen believes, on the other hand, that something always remains to be developed in the work of the Representation.
- Joint meetings of officials dealing with related sectors is one option that is already in use and which is worth developing. On the other hand, regular joint occasions for the whole personnel are also necessary. Kosonen says that it is also good to make everyone more broadly familiar with what goes on in the building, not just with their own job.
Kosonen bemoans a problem that everyone faces, shortage of time. He admits that personnel could know each other even better. Therefore the block’s unofficial "Happy Hour" events are important. The EUE also has a joint recreation day and a Christmas Party each year.
- All new ideas are always welcome. Ultimately, very little time is left for being together, he says.
Kosonen has an open attitude towards developing the Representation’s work methods. On the other hand, he reminds us that EU working groups and the composition of the councils determine to a large extent how things are managed.
- In any case, those tackling joint issues must keep in close contact with each other. Information has to travel, also between Brussels and Helsinki ministries, he says.
The clock is ticking. Eikka gathers up his papers, gets up and leaves – for a Coreper meeting, where else indeed.
Text: Marko Ruonala
Pictures: Leena Rasinperä
Eikka Kosonen celebrated his 60th birthday on 16th September 2007.