Madame Speaker
Ladies and Gentlemen

I feel honored and pleased to be received in this House. In every free society, Parliaments are the source of political legitimacy, the expression of democracy, the seat of lawmaking. Strong parliaments are essential for strong democracies.

Parliaments today also have an important international role. Foreign relations are no longer under the exclusive purview of the executive. Bilateral ties and co-operation are also enhanced by the exchanges of parliamentary and committee delegations and by the existence of friendship group activities, as is the case of the Finnish and Portuguese parliaments.

Both our Parliaments have Committees that deal with foreign policy and European Affairs. I strongly believe that national parliaments have an important role to play in the framework of European Union. In many EU countries, Finland included, the constitution requires the Government to obtain the consent of Parliament for the positions it takes in EU negotiations. However, even if the Constitution does not require it — as is the case in Portugal — in practice parliamentary consent is sought, at least on the most important issues.

I am convinced that the next Intergovernmental Conference will strengthen the role of parliaments in European Affairs, in particular by giving them new functions in the control of the principle of subsidiarity, as was recently proposed in the Convention. I support this development. An increased role for Parliaments in the European Union is important to uphold its democratic legitimacy of the Union and to bring it closer to the citizenry.

Madame Speaker
Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the delegation accompanying me today, and especially of the members of the Portuguese parliament who are here with us, I would like to extend to you a warm word of thanks for your kind and generous hospitality. Thank you also for the special attentions that you are giving this afternoon to the Portuguese members of Parliament that are part of the Portuguese delegation. I wish you and all the representatives of the Finnish people the most success for the future.


			Speech by the President of the Portuguese Republic at the Finnish Parliament Helsinki 10 de Outubro de 2002 Madame Speaker Ladies and Gentlemen I feel honored and pleased to be received in this House. In every free society, Parliaments are the source of political legitimacy, the expression of democracy, the seat of lawmaking. Strong parliaments are essential for strong democracies. Parliaments today also have an important international role. Foreign relations are no longer under the exclusive purview of the executive. Bilateral ties and co-operation are also enhanced by the exchanges of parliamentary and committee delegations and by the existence of friendship group activities, as is the case of the Finnish and Portuguese parliaments. Both our Parliaments have Committees that deal with foreign policy and European Affairs. I strongly believe that national parliaments have an important role to play in the framework of European Union. In many EU countries, Finland included, the constitution requires the Government to obtain the consent of Parliament for the positions it takes in EU negotiations. However, even if the Constitution does not require it — as is the case in Portugal — in practice parliamentary consent is sought, at least on the most important issues. I am convinced that the next Intergovernmental Conference will strengthen the role of parliaments in European Affairs, in particular by giving them new functions in the control of the principle of subsidiarity, as was recently proposed in the Convention. I support this development. An increased role for Parliaments in the European Union is important to uphold its democratic legitimacy of the Union and to bring it closer to the citizenry. Madame Speaker Ladies and Gentlemen On behalf of the delegation accompanying me today, and especially of the members of the Portuguese parliament who are here with us, I would like to extend to you a warm word of thanks for your kind and generous hospitality. Thank you also for the special attentions that you are giving this afternoon to the Portuguese members of Parliament that are part of the Portuguese delegation. I wish you and all the representatives of the Finnish people the most success for the future.