Interview with the Mayors of Turku and Tampere

The EU-enlargement will facilitate communication and cooperation with the Baltic states and Poland, and strengthen the existing networks around the Baltic Sea Region.

Since Finland joined the EU in 1995, our European identity has considerably been strengthened and deepened. The present EU enlargement will undoubtedly again deepen European identity, not only in the new member states and the BSR, but in the EU as a whole, because it will gradually tear down the barriers that had been erected between Europeans.

The enlarged EU and Europe as a whole stand in front of great challenges. We have to increase cohesion in Europe, which requires great efforts. Development of co-operation with the Russian Federation demands special attention to ensure that mutual understanding co-operation in all fields of life will grow.

The European Union also faces great challenges in the field of governance and legitimacy. Structures have to be simplified, transparency increased and citizens voices heard better. Enhancing the role of local and regional authorities in governance could significantly help to achieve these goals

Armas Lahoniitty
Mayor of Turku, Finland

What are your expectations for your own city in connection with the enlargement?

Our expectations are highly positive. International cooperation, especially on the EU level, is an important element of the Tampere city strategy. Tampere has a wide and active twin city network, also reaching many of the new EU member states, for instance, Tartu and Kaunas. And the Estonian and Lithuanian EU memberships will certainly offer us new opportunities to further develop our partnerships. Also in the Eurocities the attitude to the enlargement is very favourable and encouraging. We are confident that Tampere will be a highly attractive and competitive operating environment for knowledge-intensive businesses and residential environments for experts also in the enlarged EU.

Do you think the identity of your citizens will be more European?

Tampere is a world-class centre of expertise, business, education and research, and an active partner especially in European cooperation. After the EU enlargement our institutions and individuals will be provided with enhanced opportunities to operate Europe wide. Organizations such as the UBC and Eurocities are important forums for such kind of European cooperation in which the citizens are the direct beneficiaries. Tampere has excellent experiences from both of these organizations, and I believe that their role as organizations promoting the European identity will be only accentuated by the EU enlargement.

In what direction do you think the EU will develop after the enlargement?

Naturally the EU will become an increasingly important global power. What is especially interesting to see is how the EU-Russia partnership and the EU's new neighbourhood policy will develop. The Baltic Sea cooperation and the Northern Dimension can play a significant role in this respect. Tampere will follow these developments closely and be an active partner in the Baltic Sea cooperation also in the future.

Jarmo Rantanen
Mayor of the City of Tampere