Finland's President: - EU needed more than in decades

- The European Union is needed more than in decades, but it is now weaker and more fragmented than ever, says Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö.

The President recorded his traditional New Year's Speech at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki on 30 December, 2016.

- The EU has been losing its footing in international politics. There has been speculation that Presidents Putin and Trump will be discussing Europe over Europe’s head. As regards Syria, we hear that Russia and Turkey are brokering a peace agreement. The EU cannot be absent from the negotiation tables where decisions about the future are made, the President stated in the speech. 


- Peace and security most important

- Through its own action, the EU in its heyday went into considerable detail and expanded quickly. Now the focus must be on what is the most important for European people and families. The answer is: to live in peace and security. Threat of terrorism, fear or war and the forces of migration create uncertainty.

- The year before last with the flood of migration we saw countries within the EU even turning against each other when individual decisions were made. There may even be the odd benefit to some at the expense of others. But they will weaken unity and in the end turn against whoever may have enjoyed some benefits. The EU is only as strong as its weakest link, he stated.

The President says the Union's security and defence co-operation has taken a step forward, and that this is good – and an avenue that must be kept open.

- There is no point in first defining what cooperation does not include. It is better to proceed one step at a time and see how far down the road we get without difficulty.

Worried about overlaps and competition 

Niinistö also expressed his worries over terrorism, and said action is needed from the EU. He also talked about migration, and said that there is a wide consensus that aid is at its most helpful when delivered locally.

- Now the 28 EU Member States and also the Commission each engage in development cooperation individually. This results in overlaps and even competition among them. Joining forces would bring much better results, the President concludes.

Fighting against climate change, which poses a risk to living conditions in many areas, also contributes to reducing forced migration, says the President.

- The EU was the flag bearer in reaching the Paris Agreement, and must continue in this role.