In June, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, based on a proposal from the Conference on the Future of Europe, calling for the EU’s founding treaties to be reopened, by a vote of 355–154. Among other things, the resolution called for more decisions to be taken by qualified majority voting, for expanding the Union’s competence in tackling cross-border health threats, and for protecting the Union’s core values. JEF Finland’s General Assembly aligns itself with the European Parliament’s position and demands that the process of reforming the founding treaties begin as soon as possible.
”Reforming the founding treaties is a prerequisite for the EU to genuinely address the biggest challenges of our time. It’s especially important to abandon unanimity in foreign and security policy, so that individual member states cannot block important decisions,” comments JEF Finland’s outgoing President Risto Rajala.
The Finnish government rejected the Conference’s proposal right out of the gate. In the Finnish media, reforming the founding treaties has been framed as an attempt by large countries to grab more power for themselves within the EU. The debate is being conducted through the lens of a power struggle, rather than through the actual aim – strengthening the EU’s capacity to act – which reforming the founding treaties would advance.
”It’s time for Finland to take a good look in the mirror, because the big picture of EU advocacy is badly lost in our country. It’s time for the EU to reform, and shouting from the back row doesn’t help anyone. Europe and the whole world are living through a time of change, and times like these call for well-reasoned views, ambition, and genuine leadership” demands JEF Finland’s newly elected President Amanda Alvesalo.
Further information:
Amanda Alvesalo
President 2023
[email protected]
Risto Rajala
President
[email protected]