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Finland’s Future in Europe: The Need for Bold Moves
The ongoing debate in Finland’s Parliament about the government’s EU influence program has highlighted the need for bold moves to secure Finland’s future in Europe. While Finland has always supported open competition in the EU internal market, recent changes have seen a shift towards state subsidies and joint responsibility funds under the guise of crises. This presents a challenge for Finland to respond to and protect its national interest.
As a small member state, Finland is at a competitive disadvantage due to the unequal distribution of state aid among EU countries. Germany and France take the lion’s share, leaving other countries like Finland struggling to keep up. It is clear that staying passive will not improve Finland’s competitive situation. Therefore, it is imperative that Finland takes proactive steps to protect its interests and enhance its position in Europe.
The Central Confederation of Business (EK) has called for a reflection of the changed situation in Finland’s EU guidelines. Business and academia representatives are urging Finland to present its own industrial policy alternatives to protect its interests and enhance its competitive position. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have proposed an export support instrument to the EU, which could benefit Finnish companies and strengthen Europe’s global position.
However, this is not enough. The EU and the European Investment Bank must create an export support instrument that guarantees competitive financing for critical technologies acquired from the EU. This would benefit small member states like Finland and ensure public funds are used neutrally and competitively. Furthermore, Finland’s expertise in data processing and transfer could benefit greatly from EU-level support for future technologies.
In conclusion, it is clear that Finland must make bold moves if it wants to protect its interests and enhance its competitive position in Europe. Staying passive will not improve its situation in the face of changing dynamics in the EU and global markets. It is time for Finland to take charge of its own destiny and present innovative solutions that will ensure its success in Europe for years to come
