Finnish Ex-FM: Smaller Members More Successful at EU Presidency
Chair of the Finnish parliament's Grand Committee Erkki Tuomioja met Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel in Ljubljana on Thursday to share Finland's experience of presiding over the EU. Tuomioja said he was sure Slovenia would continue the tradition of small countries performing better than their bigger counterparts.
Tuomioja, who served as foreign minister during Finland's EU presidency, explained that "smaller countries generally consider the presidency as a national project", while bigger countries lose a part of their efficiency because of their complex organisation.
In Finland, the presidency was supported by the general public and the political parties, so the country could focus on its presidency and put other issues aside, he said.
The secret to successful presidency lies in the commitment, leadership abilities and transparent work. "Be prepared for everything," Tuomioja said, adding that the EU presidency presents each country with unpredictable events.
Finland's initial presidency budget was EUR 42m, but in the end, costs amounted to EUR 75m. Most of the additional costs were generated by unanticipated events and high costs of security measures, he said.
Slovenia meanwhile plans to earmark EUR 57m for its spell in the first half of 2008.
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