Looking at it over the long term, what we are working towards is a European energy network, in which gas plays an important role. One of the central goals inherent in the Northern Dimension is to build a new gas pipeline through Finland to Central Europe. But we cannot assume that a spade will cut into the ground the very moment we in Finland or Europe want it to. Big projects like that demand time and patience. One of the decisions that emerged during the Finnish Presidency was to extend the European Investment Bank's coverage to Russia, an important step given that the crucial factor in most projects is finance.
Environmental projects are very important.
A large wastewater treatment plant to the north-west of St. Petersburg is the most important from Finland's perspective. Holding the EU Presidency for the final six months of the twentieth century did a lot to raise Finland's international profile. The favourable development that the economy has enjoyed is likewise attracting notice abroad. At the same time as things are going well for the republic, however, its citizens' interest in politics is waning. The European Parliament is still perceived as something very distant, and not only in Finland.