"The Finnish minister was interested in topics concerning the common European foreign and security policy and in that context it is visible that Finland sees Croatia as a partner and de facto a member country," Pusić said after the meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja.
Their talks concerned possible formation of joint EU positions on international relations, the situation in Southeast Europe, the Middle East and Syria, the position of Turkey and a possibility for the EU to advocate a joint policy towards the South Mediterranean. The two officials also discussed the issue of energy self-sufficiency and Croatia’s views on a number of issues regarding EU membership.
“We are looking forward to Croatia becoming a member country in the near future and we support you on that path. We also advocate EU membership of other Southeast European countries and their progress must be evaluated based on individual merits,” Finnish Parliament Speaker Eero Heinaeluoma said.
Pusić also met Chairman of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Timo Soini and Vice Chairman of the Grand Committee Antti Kaikkonen.
"Everyone expressed hope the ratification will take place as soon as possible and Finnish officials said there are no political obstacles as far as Finland is concerned," Pusić said, adding that although European framework was important, it was more important to use one’s own knowledge and brains. Croatia’s negotiating experience has been and continues to be of use to the countries in the region, as we have only closed the negotiations, Pusić said, and were the only country to get 35 chapters, opening and closing criteria, as well as an additional chapter on judiciary. The negotiations, the minister stressed, was primarily about building and strengthening state institutions, and then about achieving membership.
The talks also concerned fulfilling the action plan, ratification in other EU member countries and the position of minorities from two perspectives – Finland as a country with high human rights standards and a country expecting a flood of immigrants from new member countries. Pusić said that Croatian citizens, as opposed to the citizens of some of the new member countries, had freely traveled Europe since the 1950’s, so no one should fear a sudden influx of Croatians. On the other hand, the minister said, high standards of minority rights are something we strive for and Finland can be an excellent partner here.
Minister Pusić also met the Chairwoman of the Finnish Parliament's Grand Committee, Miapetra Kumpula Natri, and delivered a lecture at the Helsinki University titled “Croatia – a New Member of the European Family”.