On July 1st, Finland took over the leadership of the European Union from Austria. Its presidency will last until the end of the year, and its initial assignment of the most essential courses of action has been coordinated with the Austrian program and announced last year in December. One can expect then continuation of some unfinished by the Austrians matters, such as directive about working time or discussion about creating a union agency for basic rights matters.

The future of the European Union

Coming back to the discussion about European constitution will become one of the most important issues. The Finns want to continue this process and undertake consultations with union institutions and other member countries. The difficulties with constitutional treaty ratification cannot, in any way, weaken the functioning as well as the development of the Union. Finland would particularly like to develop the exterior activities of the Union, improve the effectiveness of decision making in terms of police and criminal matters, as well as clarity of the European Board.

Broadening

The problem of further broadening of the European Union will also be undertaken while the Finnish presidency .Until October, the European Commission will publish the report evaluating the preparation of Romania and Bulgaria for the membership in the Union. Carrying on the comparison of the Croatian and Turkish legislative in terms of accordance with the Union law, will also be the essential event. Depending on the progress made in this matter shown in the report it will be possible to open or to close some of the negotiation chapters.

In the Turkish matter, at the turn of October and November a review of progress in the implementation of the records of the so-called Additional Protocole , which has a very essential influence on the access negotiations of the country and its eventual membership in the European Union, will be published. Generally in the Union’s broadening policy for the year 2006, a wider debate has been planned, which did not take place during the Austrian presidency, and Finland will tend to its carrying on during their presidency.

Among other essential matters, which the Finns would like to take care of, two should also be mentioned – power industry and environmental protection.

Power industry

One of the key matters, which activities will be performed in during the Finnish presidency, is power industry policy. Finland is going to concentrate on the relations with the third countries, the interior electric power and gas market, power industry effectiveness and renewable sources of energy usage. A dialogue between the European Union and Russia will be developed. The role of the European Board shall be strengthened. Additionally, preparations for undertaking, in spring 2007, more compact decisions concerning the union power industry policy tracing the published this year in March the so-called Green Book, will be made.

Environmental protection

Finland will continue the efforts concerning the limitation of climate changes. They will be discussed on the international union forum and they will include plans for further actions after the expiration of the commitments from Kioto. The matters concerning climate changes will also influence essential aspects of transatlantic dialogue and many international summit meetings with the third countries.

During the Finnish presidency, actions concerning the proposals about the air, sea environment, waste and natural resources quality.

Stanisław Tokarski & Jerzy Janikowski.