Finland and the European Union
Act of Accession to the EU signed by Finland in 1994
Finland acceded to the European Union on 1 January 1995. The accession was preceded by a referendum in October 1994. 57 per cent of voters were in favour of Finland's membership of the EU. Parliament made a decision on Finland’s accession to the European Union on 18 November 1994.
Finland held the rotating Presidency of the European Union during the latter halves of 1999 and 2006.
Government Programme of Prime Minister Kiviniemi
Government Programme of Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi’s Government was submitted to Parliament in the form of a Government statement on 22 June 2010. As for the EU, the statement emphasises Finland’s active role as a promoter of transparency and sustainability in the EU’s financial markets. Finland supports the European Commission’s efforts to establish international legislation for the financial markets.
‘Finland is a proactive Member State of the European Union, functioning at the core of the Union’s reform process,’ says the Government Programme of Matti Vanhanen’s second Government. Kiviniemi’s Government will proceed with the implementation of decisions of Matti Vanhanen’s second Government, Government Programme and the Mid-Term Policy Review.
Government EU policies
The Government submits statements and reports on important EU issues to Parliament. The Prime Minister may also submit announcements on EU affairs that fall within the Government’s mandate.
The Government may also issue a U communication. U matters cover such European Union affairs that fall within the mandate of Parliament. They may relate to EU legislation, financial issues or relations with third countries.
EU related reports, statements and announcements