Speech at Puolalanmäki High School

Honorary citizens, dear students and teachers,

Greetings from Brussels and Strasbourg. Last week has been busy for the Members of the European Parliament who travelled again to Strasbourg, for the plenary and voting. In spite of the long week, it is nice to be here with all of You. Also, it is delightful to meet so many young people, who share the common interest to the European Union. Especially, when there are also many nationalities in present.
 

Dear citizens of the European Union

In recent years, the EU have extended the concept and terminology associated with citizenship to the international level. For example for a Finn in the European Union, You are entitled to a passport which reflects first the nationality of Finland, and second the citizenship of the Union.

Citizenship at the European Union level is a secondary concept; it does complement and not replace national citizenship. It is a membership in a political community which carries with it the special rights. What are important for a citizen’s status, are the political rights - primarily the right to vote and stand for elections. In the EU, the European Parliament is the only institution whose members are democratically elected by direct election. We represent the people of the Member States. We sit in political groups – these are not organised by nationality, but by political affiliation. Through these groups and the members of the European Parliament, the citizens can be involved in expressing their political vision and values.

The status and the political rights of the European Union citizenship are written in the Union law. These legal writings refer to the importance of socio-cultural requirements for citizens. But when creating an ever closer union, the citizenship should also exist in social reality, not just as a legal construction.
The citizenship has to be supported by a genuine and emotionally rooted commitment to the union; otherwise, it would be ineffective. In this context, I see the role of the political party as a part of decision making. The strengthening position of the Parliament also gives more power for the Union citizens. The European Parliament is involved in drafting numerous laws that affect the daily life of every citizen. How I see it, the political groups in the EU need to make the right decisions that concern and improve citizens daily life.

For example the decision of the wide of the trucks used in the internal markets, did not make any sense from citizen point of view. The EU aimed to harmonize the size of the trucks, but as a result of it, the Finnish trucks are now couple of centimetres too wide in relation to other trucks in Europe. This change, and these few centimetres, seemed irrelevant and also increased costs. This kind of decisions will not give a good image of the Union nor build a reliable relationship with the EU and its citizens.

Our political decisions have to achieve positive results from Your point of view. We need to work on Your benefit. This way we build up a strong and meaningful bound between the Union, and its citizens. This way the union will reach a trustworthy status in the eyes of its citizens.

Dear all,

The Union is based on the diversity of European cultures and linguistic varieties. These are important when creating a genuine identity of the European Union citizenship. As a part of this process, the role of the political parties is to be both, a European, and a national voice.

The Members of the Parliament need to speak the same language as the citizens do. With this, I do not mean just our mother tongue, but the way we speak to citizen, so-called easy language. When sharing this moment here with You, and having a great opportunity to speak to You, I want to avoid the special terms and technical expressions we use in the parliament.

Communication between the EU and all of You, must be easy throughout the political parties and us, the Members of the Parliament. Otherwise, the Union will loose its attractiveness among the citizens - become a distant, rather than a familiar institution.

Furthermore, it is not enough if the Members of the Parliament, as part of political parties speak easy language, we also need to be easy to reach. It is important, that the Members of the Parliament can discuss with citizens, and answer their questions. Again, when standing here today in front of You, I am not just representing my political party EPP-ED in the Parliament, or passing on the greetings from the capital of Europe, I am also here for the conversation. This is a two-way street where we meet, and my role is both to listen to You and to be Your voice in the EU. Citizens need to find a feeling that they belong to a group, when holding the EU-passport in their hands.

Dear Friends,

The passion for the work which is done at political parties derives from the light in the Unions future potential. The potential which lays down on You, and the possibilities the EU can offer to You. There are several programs in the European Union, which support the mobility of the student in lifelong learning. The purpose of these programs, is to develop understanding of the diversity of the European cultures, and its values for young people. Also, moving abroad helps young people to reach the basic skills you need in life, and competences necessary for their personal development, and for an active European citizenship.

By experiencing Europe throughout the student programs, You all will have an opportunity to interact and participate in constructing a common and shared Europe. You have your own role when building the future EU, and mutual understanding between European citizens. It requires intercultural dialogue, where also You have the voice. Our role in political parties, and in decision making is to insure You the chance to take part in this conversation.
The main aim is to improve the education, training, mobility, and social inclusion of young Europeans. When you participate to the programs, you will learn more about the European common values, history and culture. These are the key factors, when creating European identity, when creating an ever closer union where the citizenship also exists in reality.

So all of You young people,

In some level you can see the union and the integration as a reflection of Yourself. It is a relatively young institution with full of possibilities and potential, while growing and discovering its own identity. The Members of the Parliament need to make the communication possible. The European Union needs to be seen and heard among its citizens. The Members of the Parliament and political parties enable this. Their role is to create the discussion, be your voice and give a familiar face for the EU. Our role is also to build an ever closer Union for the young people - for You. The best is yet to come. Take the chance on the European Union, and find Your own role in it.