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EU leaders discussed the future of the European Union
The leaders of the EU Member States, meeting in Tallinn on Thursday 28 September, discussed the future of the European Union over their informal dinner. The process for the reform of the European Union was launched at the Bratislava Summit a year ago, following Britain’s decision to leave the Union.
“As agreed in Bratislava, we must achieve concrete reforms that meet the needs of the EU citizens. Creating new jobs and promoting security make part of such reforms,” said Prime Minister Juha Sipilä.
Discussion on the EU’s future was based on the recent speeches by President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron. Particular attention was devoted to the development of Economic and Monetary Union and the defence dimension, and to issues concerning migration.
Prime Minister Sipilä reminded that in the discussion on the EU’s future, it is necessary to make a distinction between short-term objectives and longer-term objectives.
“At the moment, it is important that we focus on measures that bring us together, and not the opposite. We must establish the added value of our action,” Sipilä said.
“As regards EMU, we are of the opinion that the process is still incomplete and must be carried on. But first, we must define precisely where the problems are. Having achieved that, we can move on to finding solutions to the shortcomings. We must proceed step by step. A promise of solidarity always calls for responsibility in return,” Sipilä said.
“Our first objective must be compliance with the current rules, and the next objective to deliver the issues on our agenda, including risk management and the banking union,” Sipilä said.
Prime Minister Sipilä also said that the EU must remain a strong global actor with ambitious defence cooperation and trade policy, and with more effective migration policy.
“Our cooperation in these sectors has progressed well and we must continue with ambition,” Sipilä concluded.
Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 319, Riikka Pakarinen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. + 358 40 580 0833