Finland together with Sweden and Austria on Monday celebrated the 30 years of European Union membership in Brussels, said a government press release on Tuesday.
The three countries joined the European Union on 1 January 1995.
In honour of their 30th anniversary as EU Member States, a discussion event on the history, current state and future of EU membership was held at the EU headquarters.
The discussion entitled “30 years in the EU: Looking back into the future” was participated by Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz, Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Claudia Plakolm and European Council President António Costa.
Strand in his speech pointed out that Finland’s decision to join the EU was motivated by more than just economic and trade considerations.
It was a major strategic choice, said the minister, adding that it was a decision to anchor Finland firmly in the community of Western values: democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
“EU membership not only strengthened our identity as a liberal democracy – it gave us a voice and a seat at the tables where Europe’s future is shaped. Over the past three decades, the European Union has become Finland’s most important political and economic frame of reference,” said Strand.
Discussions at the event also addressed current geopolitical instabilities and Russia’s brutal war of aggression in Ukraine, which poses long-term security challenges for all of Europe.
“Security is about more than just military capabilities. It also requires economic strength: a dynamic single market, strong capital markets and a regulatory environment that encourages innovation. We have to make sure that our budget reflects our real priorities: defence, competitiveness and innovation,” Strand added.
Discussions on the future of the EU highlighted the need for internal reforms to respond to future challenges.
This includes strengthening the Union’s decision-making capacity, investing in innovations and advancing the green and digital transition in a way that is fair and sustainable.
The event was organised by the Permanent Representations of Finland, Sweden and Austria to the EU, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies (SIEPS).
- Finland
- 30 years
- EU
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
