The Fast Lane to Europe

FOREWORD

Often, it is only on seriously beginning to examine a question that one realises how little one actually knows about it. As knowledge accrues, the field of vision expands, but at the same time the horizon recedes ever further into the distance.

This would also seem to have been the case for the Finns as European integration moved from being a distant point on the horizon into a major part of everyday life of relevance to us all. When the negotiations over Finnish membership began in 1992, two thirds of the nation thought they were well informed on matters relating to European integration, while by autumn 1997 as many as 73% considered their knowledge on the EU to be poor and 63% wanted to learn more.

Thus, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' Department for Press and Culture still faces a demanding task in satisfying the public need for information. Although the level of knowledge has increased, the need to know more has simultaneously deepened. An ever-increasing array of domestic issues now have an EU dimension, and ever more sectors of society must now take European Union legislation into account. We are thus frequently asked about this legislation, and find that those enquiring are more knowledgeable than they used to be and pose ever more difficult practical questions.

The role of Europe Information, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' information unit on European integration, in informing the public on the various phases of Finland's plans for Europe - all the way from the original membership negotiations through to the preparations for EMU and the drafting of Agenda 2000 - has provided a unique foundation of experience which, as the new phase of enlargement gets under way, can also be put to good use internationally. The foreign ministries of the applicant nations are very interested in our experiences here in Finland.

The Fast Lane to Europe brings together these experiences over a period of almost five years. The booklet is also being published in English to cater to the needs of the new applicant countries. Our experiences in launching Europe Information and adapting it to changing circumstances have been recorded by my predecessor Markku Reimaa, Project Managers Pasi Natri and Juha Parikka, Regional EU Information Officers Helena Kiina and Martti Ruokolainen and a researcher into Finnish attitudes to the EU, Peter Ekholm. The booklet was edited by Kirsi Martikainen, who has followed our activities both as Press Attaché to two Foreign Ministers and as Information Officer at the European Commission Representation in Finland.

Yrjö Länsipuro
Director General
Department for Press and Culture
Ministry for Foreign Affairs