Finland Urges Malta To Join The European Union

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

24 January 2003

Finland's Secretary of State, Antti Santuli this week urged the Maltese government and people to push for EU membership, arguing that until the Mediterranean country becomes a full member of the European bloc, it will be sidelined during the decision-making process.

Although Malta was one of the candidate countries asked last year to accede to the EU in 2004, the jurisdiction and its politicians are deeply divided over the merits of such a move. However, drawing on his country's experiences prior to becoming a member, Mr Santuli revealed that although Finland was able to participate to a certain extent in European activity, and make arrangements with the Union:

'We were still out of the decision making process. So we had the obligation of accepting rules that others had decided upon, and we were not admitted round the table where these rules were being negotiated.'

Speaking to the Maltese media, the Finnish Secretary of State also pointed out the similarities between the two countries, observing that: 'It is interesting to note that Finland and Malta have several similarities - we are both peripheral countries. If it becomes an EU member, Malta will enrich the union by bringing the Mediterranean dimension. Finland brought the northern dimension.'

According to the Malta Independent news service, he also praised the Maltese negotiating team for their tough stance on various issues. 'I feel Malta should be proud of the negotiations,' he announced.

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