In an interview with YLE's Radio News, Halonen said that the EU has not provided the answers to security and employment issues as expected by the Finnish people.

According to recent research, Finns and Austrians have the most critical attitudes towards the EU. Halonen says this is in accordance with the people of both countries who believe decisions should be followed through.

She also thinks that the rejection of the EU constitution by France and Holland has allowed others to be more critical than before.

Halonen, who is up for re-election this month, said that national standards are becoming tougher in Finland and decision-makers should speak about these matters openly. Radio News, Finnish News Agency