Finnish Ambassador Tarya Laitiainen : Fighting Corruption Crucial for Bulgaria's Schengen Entry

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | Author: Nikola Petrov |December 10, 2010, Friday // 16:52
Bulgaria: Finnish Ambassador Tarya Laitiainen : Fighting Corruption Crucial for Bulgaria's Schengen Entry

Exclusive interview of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) with Her Excellency, Finland's Ambassador in Sofia, Tarya Laitiainen


On December 6 1917 Finland was declared an independent state - a day still celebrated as this state's national holiday. Back then, this country was struggling with poverty.

Some 92 years later, during Finland's Presidency over the EU, Bulgaria got invited to join the union, which was celebrated on December 9 2000 by the opening of a square named Helsinki near downtown Sofia.

On December 9 2010, both occasions were celebrated on the exact same square.

Finland's development over the course of the 20th century can teach a lesson or two not only to newly-pledged EU members like Bulgaria, but to most western democracies

Bulgarians have always been fascinated by Finland - this Northern welfare state with harsh but beautiful nature and its kind people who speak in an unique language. But apart from that, what connects Bulgaria with Finland?

Both countries have a rather specific location in Europe, constituting parts of EU's outside border, However, while Bulgaria is at a complicated "crossroad" position, Finland is situated in the "periphery" - both positions being geo-politically important in different circumstances.



Your Excellency, as we know, we have gathered here to celebrate two occasions – one of them is Finland's Independence Day, which is December 6 1917. With regard to that I would like to ask you about the Bulgarian – Finnish historical connections. As we know, Finnish soldiers have participated in Bulgaria's own struggle for independence. But what other historical connections do we not know about?

There is a Finnish song that goes like this: “a long time did we suffer and starve while we fought in the cold Balkans”. Young people might not know it, but my generation remembers it very well.

Another thing: as I told your Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov today during the reception, that one of his predecessors was actually Finnish - Casimir Ernrooth was Bulgaria's Foreign Minister and consecutively Prime Minister 130 years ago.

Surely, these were not the most democratic of times, but Ernrooth possessed a considerable deal of discipline.

Furthermore, just one year after Finland became an independent state, it established its diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. But that is history. What is important now is that Bulgaria and Finland have been connected by the fact that both are member states of the European Union.

This is the second occasion we are celebrating today – the 10th anniversary of the Helsinki square in Sofia, on which we are standing right now. It is dedicated to the first Finnish Presidency of the EU, during which Bulgaria was invited to start accession negotiations to join the Union. Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007. It is, however, still struggling with corruption. Finland, on the other hand, has been known as a state which has almost successfully eliminated corruption. What piece of advice would you give the Bulgarian authorities in this particular area?

I would not say Finland has eliminated corruption, it has probably existed less in my country. Apart from war times Finland has been a healthy, functioning democracy during the 20th century. A lot of things have been different in the histories of our two nations – corruption has not existed in a large scale in Finland.

I think it is very important that Bulgarians have started thinking more and more negatively of corruption as a phenomenon, which means that the society is aware of that problem and willing to deal with it.

There are always two sides in corruption deals – one which offers the bribe and one which accepts it. Both need to change.

If I should point out just one word, which is crucial for fighting corruption in this particular moment in Bulgaria, it is transparency. Laws, rules and regulations have to be implemented in order for transparency to be established on each level.

A lot has been said recently about Bulgaria's possible Schengen entry. Countries such as the Netherlands and France have already spoken reluctantly about Bulgaria's chances to join the European border-free zone. What does Finland have to say about that?

We will make our decision after all technical assessments have been made. But I will return to your previous question – the one about corruption.

It is vital that human corruption on Bulgaria's borders does not occur once you join the Schengen Agreement. Finland has the experience of looking after Schengen's longest outside border, so we know how important that is.

The Finnish energy company Fortum has recently signed an agreement with Bulgaria's state-owned National Electric Company and Russian Rosatom on the potential construction of the Belene Nuclear Power plant in Bulgaria. Does that mean Finland has a long term strategic interest in Bulgaria's energy sector.

Fortum is not a mediator of Finnish national energy interests. It is an energy company, which makes its own decisions.

Fortum is managing two existing nuclear power plants in Finland, and is building a third one, using the most modern advanced technology in the world. It has specialized also in nuclear safety and waste management, and can thus be a very useful partner for Belene.

Until now its operating area has been mostly in the Nordic and the Baltic Region. To my knowledge this is the first time they are expanding their interests to the Balkan peninsula.



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Tags: corruption, EU, Fortum, Schengen, Bulgaria, Finland, Tarya Laitiainen

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