Finland’s position on the institutional questions of the new EU treaty
Government Communications Unit
Press release 138/2008
9.5.2008
On Friday, 9 May, the Cabinet Committee on EU Affairs discussed Finland’s position on the implementation of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. Discussion focused on key questions relating to EU institutions. Finland’s opinion is that the key roles of the institutions and division of duties between them must be specified before the entry into force of the Treaty. The Lisbon Treaty will enter into force on 1 January 2009 if the Treaty has been ratified by all Member States.
The Lisbon Treaty will introduce two new high level actors: the permanent President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Council will be transformed into an official EU institution making certain legally binding decisions. The role of the rotating presidency will change as it will no longer chair all preparatory bodies, Council meetings or the European Council.
Finland considers it important that consistency in the Council’s work is ensured and openness promoted in the activities of all EU institutions.
Finland is of the opinion that the permanent President of the European Council must act as a consensus-seeking chairman instead of a president pursuing a separate policy. The permanent President must work in close cooperation with the rotating presidency and the European Commission.
Finland considers it important that the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy be given a strong role. In implementing the common foreign and security policy, he or she is to act under the mandate of the Council. At the level of the Heads of State or Government, the President of the European Commission must, also in the future, have a significant role in representing the Union in external relations.
Finland considers that the rotating presidency must continue to have a role at all EU levels, also at the level of the Heads of State or Government. Finland supports the idea that, at European Council meetings, the Head of State or Government would present the matters that have been prepared in the Council under chairmanship of his/her Government. The role of the rotating presidency has significance to the Member States, their citizens’ sense of commitment and ownership, as well as to the Union’s legitimacy.
The Lisbon Treaty will split the current EU General Affairs and External Relations Council into two different compositions. The High Representative will chair the new External Relations Council. The General Affairs Council will be chaired by the rotating presidency. Finland considers that the matters to be discussed by the European Council must be duly prepared by the General Affairs Council.
The rotation of Commissioners must be based on equal turns between the Member States even in the case of a reduction of the number of Commissioners. Finland honours the principle of absolute equality of Member States.
Finland will increase contacts with the European Parliament as it will gain more influence with the new Treaty.
Further information: Helena Tuuri, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2182 and Elina Saarimaa, Adviser, EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2192, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs