Finland’s Path to Europe
Blog
In May, it was 80 years since the end of the Second World War. In January, Finland has been a member of the EU for 30 years. After the war, Finland slowly rose from Stalin’s shadow to become an equal actor in Europe. That process took 50 years.
When Finland became an EU member in January 1995, the President of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, gave his last speech in the European Parliament. I sat in the gallery, and the speech was unforgettable. Delors summed up his message:
“Peace and security are as important as they were in 1945–1950, after the terrible world conflict. Europe was built on 1. competition, which encourages, 2. cooperation, which strengthens, and 3. solidarity, which unites. We have welcomed three new EU Member States with long democratic traditions, capable of enriching our Social Model, which we want to defend”.
The First steps towards Europe
When the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community were created in the 1950s, Finland was far away. Robert Schuman delivered the historic founding words on 9 May 1950. Finland’s Embassy in Paris reported on this only three months later.
When Robert Schuman visited Finland in spring 1953 at the invitation of the Foreign Trade Association, Urho Kekkonen’s government decided in advance that no hospitality or attention should be given to Schuman.
However, President Juho Kusti Paasikivi did receive the distinguished guest and held a discussion with him. This is recorded in Paasikivi’s diaries.
On the foundation of the Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community was created in 1957. It became a major promoter of free trade among its member states. Those left outside had to react. Under British leadership, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was formed, including other Nordic countries.
Finland’s problem was the Soviet Union’s negative viewpoint on EFTA membership. Eventually, a guarantee was given that Finland would not join EFTA but instead pursue a separate Finnish solution. That is what happened. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev came to Helsinki for Urho Kekkonen’s 60th birthday dinner, where the matter was confirmed.
Major steps during the 1980s and 1990s
Europe’s great upheavals began in the 1980s. In 1986, Finland became a full member of EFTA. In 1989, Finland joined the Council of Europe as a full member. That same year, the Berlin Wall fell, and Germany was reunified.
From the summer of 1990, I was Finland’s Ambassador to the EU. As a newcomer, I could ask the so-called stupid questions of the wise:
- What was the core of the EU? The answer was: the use of force is replaced by the Rule of Law. The Rule of Law guarantees democracy, as well as citizens’ rights and freedoms.
- How is this achieved? The answer: decision-making must be non-hegemonic but effective. That is why qualified majorities are needed; a single veto blocks change.
Austria had applied for EU membership in 1989. This was known, but Sweden’s decision to apply in July 1991 came as a surprise to Finland and made people angry.
In August that summer, an attempted coup d’état in Moscow failed. In December 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed.
In Finland, Turku professor Esko Antola had spoken in favour of EU membership. Among political leaders, the first were Paavo Lipponen and Ilkka Suominen. The EU train was moving, but the Finnish Government lacked a clear position, leaving a question mark over Finland.
Fortunately, other actors were on the move. Most important among them were the Workers’ and Industry Organizations in Brussels. The Confederation of Finnish Industries had already opened an office there in 1974. The trade unions followed later, but even before that, many union delegations visited Brussels, eager to learn about the European Union. The Social Partners also cooperated well. Kari Jalas was often present, and many trade union leaders became familiar, such as former FinUnions leaders Pekka O. Aro, Pekka Ahmavaara and Heikki Pohja. The management level of the unions strongly supported this work.
Time for a decision
Jacques Delors was a legendary President of the European Commission, and social dialogue was of great importance to him. He first visited Finland as Commission President in 1988 and met with the labor market organizations.
At the Maastricht summit in December 1991, the Dutch EU Presidency proposed starting accession negotiations with Austria and Sweden. This was a shock for Finland. Had Finland missed the train?
Soon after, Finland’s EU delegation in Brussels reported that if Finland wanted to negotiate EU membership at the same time as Austria and Sweden, the application had to be submitted in February 1992, or by early March at the latest. The next round might not come for another ten years.
President Mauno Koivisto spoke in favour of EU membership at the opening of Parliament in 1992. Esko Aho’s Government decided to apply for EU membership. Accession negotiations began in February 1993, and their political part was concluded on 1 March 1994, the same day Martti Ahtisaari assumed the presidency.
Jacques Delors visited Finland again after the membership negotiations ended in July 1994. He went directly to Pori, where he specifically wanted to meet the labor market organizations. A joint seminar was organized in Pori, which received wide attention.
A referendum was held on EU membership, in which “Yes” received 57 % and “No” 42 %. The social partners actively participated in the membership campaign. This also had a lasting effect: EU membership did not become a deeply divisive issue in Finland.
The next EU enlargement round did not take place until more than nine years later. Finland timed its decision to join the EU correctly.