On the 2nd of November the Centre for European Enlargement Studies (CENS) in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Finland hosted a lecture by Pavvo Lipponen, former Prime Minister, the Republic of Finland (1995-2003) under the title “The Treaty of Lisbon: What We Can Achieve With It.”

A distinguished group of approximately 50 professors, diplomats and students was privileged to listen and participate. Petér Balázs, Director of CENS, gave his opening speech, welcoming the audience and showing his personal interest in the talk, as well as in the Finnish stance on the current issues regarding the Treaty.

Pavvo Lipponen began his lecture, pinpointing the Finnish aspirations prior to joining the EU. He emphasized that Finland not only desired to be part of the EU essence and real decision-making process, but it also wanted to develop contacts with all the member states and make the EU more transparent, open and democratic. At the same time, Finland attempted to promote the Nordic integration model as an example of the deepest integration in Europe. He further attempted to draw attention to the negative challenges the EU is facing today, such as aging population, migration, energy and security. He also emphasized that it is of the utmost importance for the future of the EU not to encounter many challenges at the same time. Secondly, Lipponen stressed the EU institutional challenges. The main challenge the EU is coping with is a very complex institutional set-up which, regardless of the multitude of actors, can work if there is a common will. Thirdly, he referred to the role of the rotating presidency, underlying the importance of close cooperation with the big EU member states, president of the Council and Commission as the anchor of the EU.

To conclude with, Lipponen drew two possible scenarios for the future of the EU: first, the complex system will work because the common challenges will make it work; second, the system will not work, thus creating a need for the further Treaty reforms. Lipponen finally touched upon the present EU state, optimistically stressing that the EU is a unique community whose main task today is to make the Lisbon Treaty works.