Finland's Journey to the European Union

This publication provides a comprehensive and first-hand account of an insider's views on the process that brought Finland into the European Union. The overall process of accession is extensively reviewed starting from the submission of the Finnish application for EU membership, then the preparations for and the conduct of the accessions negotiations, the drafting of accession instruments and finally the referendum in Finland and the completion of the ratification procedure.
Antti Kuosmanen experienced closely the pressure, frustration and eventual success of his country's accession negotiations. His style is lively and his comments incisive. Those managing the negotiations of the present candidate countries will have much to gain by reading this book.
Although the book reflects the views and experiences of its main author, the manuscript has been extended so that it concludes with an assessment of the issues and potential lessons that are relevant to the countries currently involved in the process of enlargement. The additional chapter has been prepared by Phedon Nicolaides and Frank Bollen, two members of EIPA's faculty.