Ministers of European Affairs consider ways to inform citizens
Press release 307/2004
1 October 2004
On Tuesday, 5 October, the Ministers of European Affairs will hold an informal meeting in Amsterdam to discuss ways in which citizens can be more involved in Europe. The Ministers will consider ways to improve information dissemination on EU affairs. Paula Lehtomäki, Minister of European Affairs, will represent Finland at the meeting.
Minister Lehtomäki considers it extremely important to discuss the relationship between the Union and its citizens. Particularly so, as voter participation in the recent EP elections was disappointingly weak. "The Union derives its legitimacy from the citizens and, therefore, it is important that decision-making remains close to their everyday life" Minister Lehtomäki emphasises. "Finland has placed great importance on information dissemination but it must be paralleled with constant discussion on EU affairs", she continues.
The ministerial-level discussion will, for the first time, be open for media representatives. The discussion will focus, e.g., on the responsibility of politicians with regard to informing about common European issues, the messages and tools applied in communicating with the citizens and disseminating information on the EU's Constitutional Treaty.
Finland is of the opinion that the responsibility for communicating with the citizens must be shared by both the Union institutions and national-level actors. The discussions of the Ministers of European Affairs are expected to provide information on best practices which can then be made use of in other countries, too. Finland will make a summary of the positive feedback it has received from the citizens' forums on key EU issues that have been organised in various parts of the country.
Further information: Anna Tonttila, Press Attaché to the Minister of European Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5356, and Sanna Kangasharju, EU Information Officer, Government Information Unit, tel. +358 9 1602 2175