President signs joint call for cheering voters

President Sauli Niinistö signed a joint call of the heads of state published on Thursday encouraging EU citizens to vote in the elections to the European Parliament.

Initiated by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany, the joint call was signed by 21 heads of EU member states, said a press release issued by the President office.

In their joint call the Presidents said that the 2019 European election is particularly important as it is the European future that is on the ballot. Peace, freedom, prosperity and well-being should not be taken for granted, but we should engage actively for a peaceful and integrated Europe.

The signatories agreed that it is necessary to have a strong and integrated EU where countries work together as equal partners.

The EU needs joint institutions and has to be able to review its work with a critical eye and reform itself in order to face future challenges together. This will require a strong vote by the peoples, the signees conclude.

In addition to the Presidents of Finland and Germany, the joint call was signed by the Presidents of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia.