Finnish PM says 'yes' vote will not affect neutrality

The Prime Minister of Finland says a 'yes' vote in the forthcoming Nice Treaty referendum will not affect Ireland’s neutrality.

Mr Paavo Lipponen was speaking at the Forum on Europe in Dublin Castle where he said Ireland and Finland have benefited greatly from EU membership.

He said both countries have led the way in recent European economic growth.

Prime Minister Lipponen says just like Finland, any decision on Irish neutrality will be decided by the Irish people and the Nice Treaty will not threaten that position.

He said: "Finland feels reassured that non-alignment is our own choice and nobody can decide for us.

"We know what we are committed to in the EU and that means we can maintain our policy of non-alignment."