The then Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson angered the Finnish President Mauno Koivisto
On January 1, 2025, Sweden and Finland celebrate 30 years as joint EU members, and the relationship is described as stronger than ever. But in Finland, the myth of when Sweden betrayed Finland on the way to the union is still alive.
– But it was the lack of information about this that irritated the little brother, says history professor Henrik Meinander.
During his presidential years 1982–1994, Mauno Koivisto was present when the fall of the Berlin Wall opened up new opportunities for international cooperation. At least for Sweden.
– In that situation, the Swedish government could not count on Finland applying for EU membership. But it was the lack of information about this that irritated the little brother, says Henrik Meinander.
Finland’s state leadership had long understood where it was leaning, but like a wounded younger sibling, could not avoid feeling slighted. The opportunity arose when Sweden’s then Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson (S) publicly announced in October 1990 that Sweden intended to apply for membership in the then EC. Shortly before, Stockholm had contacted Helsinki, but President Koivisto was then traveling in Lisbon.
– Koivisto thought it was rude of Carlsson not to inform him in time. Ingvar Carlsson has said that it was due to difficulties in communication when Koivisto was abroad. But this is part of a tradition in Finnish politics of a kind of little brother complex.
For Finland, the question was more charged. While membership for Sweden was mostly about trade, for Finland it also concerned security policy. In the fall of 1990, Finland was bound by the CSTO treaty and was still seen as part of the Soviet sphere of interest.
– You cannot join something that the Soviet Union does not allow, but you also cannot stand outside of something that Sweden joins. It was the balance that Finland had to strike during the Cold War, and that’s why he perceived it as such a big betrayal, says Johan Strang, professor at the University of Helsinki.
After the fall of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the CSTO Treaty in 1992, Finland was able to apply for membership and caught up with Sweden to join the Union in 1995.
– It was a very sensitive period of time and very important for us to be able to take the full step west. Then even small cracks in friendship could feel very big, says Finland’s Europe Minister Joakim Strand (SFP).
The myth lives on
The Nordic researcher Johan Strang believes that the myth of the friction in the early 90s is still alive. During the NATO process, Finland was anxious to keep Sweden informed of every step. Although Finland was admitted first to the defense alliance because of Turkey and Hungary, Finland’s clear leadership has possibly dampened the little brother complex a little.
– I think this NATO episode has been a boost for Finnish self-confidence.
How long does it last then?
– Maybe until Sweden fails next time, says Johan Strang with a big laugh.