Finland marked the 93rd anniversary of its political independence on December 6. We are proud of our northern country, which won independence in 1917 in the heat of the Russian October Revolution, fought to retain it during World War II, and developed from a poor agricultural country into one of the world’s most affluent states. On Independence Day we honor the memory of those who died in those wars and express gratitude to the still living veterans.
Speaking of Finland and Ukraine, we often forget that there are some interesting parallels in the two countries’ history. Both countries used to be part of great Western powers: some regions of Ukraine were part of the Polish-Lithuanian Kingdom and Finland was a province of Sweden for almost 700 years. As these Western powers were declining, our countries were made part of an emergent great Eastern power, Russia-Ukraine in 1654 and Finland in 1809. There are also differences in the destinies of our countries: although both of them had enjoyed autonomy well before they gained independence, Finland managed to turn it into independence, while Ukraine was deprived of this for a very long time. As revolutionary events unfurled in Russia in 1917-18, both countries were aspiring for independence. Finland gained independence in 1917 and managed to retain it. Ukraine had a different destiny until the collapse of the Soviet Union changed the world order.
Ukraine is a European state that has a right to a European future. Ukraine is part of Europe both in terms of its geographical position, history, and culture, and, what is more, by its own will. For Ukraine to join the European Union in the future, it should first become a country that can meet the EU’s basic standards. The example of Finland could be a benchmark of sorts because Finland integrated into European organizations step by step for a long time.
There was a 39-year gap between Finland’s membership in the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), and in the European Union. In 1956 Finland joined the GATT, a predecessor of the WTO. Finland began integrating with Europe in 1961, when it became an associate member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In 1972 Finland simultaneously concluded a free trade agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC) and a cooperation agreement with the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON). In 1986 Finland became a full-fledged EFTA member. In 1992 Finland applied for European Union membership and obtained it in 1995.
Finland treaded a long and at times thorny path because of the USSR’s longtime negative attitude to EEC free trade. Finland managed to modernize its economy by means of free trade and integration, and to enter European markets on a broad front. Following a long preparatory period, the very process of gaining EU membership in the 1990s was fast and relatively painless. Incidentally, as Finland integrated stage-by-stage into European organizations, it retained good relations with the Soviet Union and, later, Russia. Trade with our eastern neighbor was of great importance for Finland. Russia still remains Finland’s largest trade partner.
With the Finnish experience in view, I can strongly recommend Ukraine to seriously ponder over the European Union’s proposals and make maximum use of all the available opportunities. The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement may be signed as soon as 2011 if Ukraine carries out reforms at a rapid pace and fulfills the necessary conditions. Free trade is the most difficult issue in the negotiating process. Negotiations on free trade conditions require not only hard work but also a flexible approach by each side. Yet Ukraine ought to persist in seeking a free trade agreement, which could result in an estimated threefold rise in the exchange between Ukraine and EU countries.
Finland favors free movement of people. On November 22, 2010, Ukraine and the EU approved an action plan for a visa-free regime with Ukraine. Finland supported this plan from the very outset. Free movement of people is one of the European Union’s fundamental principles.
Finland actively supports, within the EU framework, the Eastern Partnership Program. We want to make our own contribution to this process, which helps bring Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus, as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, closer to the European Union. Finland is of the opinion that the European Union should continue rendering more tangible assistance to reforms in the partner countries. We support the ongoing talks on association agreements with five countries. We believe a visa-free treatment is a long-term target for each of the six partner countries. With our own history in mind, we, Finns, firmly believe in the principles of democracy, rule of law, and a civil society. We highly appreciate the societal role of non-governmental organizations and the media. We hope that NGOs will be widely involved in Eastern Partnership activities.
Saying this, I would like to encourage Ukraine to carry out further reforms. Ukraine can and has every reason to be proud of its achievements. Having gone through a difficult history, Ukrainians deserve being able to build a stable European future on the basis of their achievements. We, Finns, wish to remain Ukraine’s friends both within the European Union’s framework and through our direct contacts.







