Vanhanen said during Parliamentary debate on the budget that he wants a strong signal from the EU that the member states will confront the economic crisis together, and will respond to it in a coordinated manner.
“This is a consistent continuity to what we have stated as Finland’s stand as the crisis has moved forward,” Vanhanen pointed out.
Vanhanen added that the EU needs to continue stimulus measures, and to initiate the gradual dismantling of stimulus measures taken during the recession.
“Economic stimulus needs to be continued, but coordinated strategies at letting go need to be developed at the same time,” he said.
The Prime Minister also sought to build confidence in an economic recovery. Vanhanen told MPs that he expects moderate economic growth to resume in Finland next year. However, at the same time the PM warned that there would also be more bad news to come: he said that it would take a long time before employment and the business climate improve.