[QUOTE]Originally posted by Worldtraveler36:
[B]

Niko, Terve and kiitos for your support.>

Cheers Michael, congrats for your fluency in Finnish...

The Schengen didnīt actually change all that much (travel-wise). Even before Finland joined the EU my passport was very seldom checked within Europe.

<Yes, the border crossing show sovereignty.>

Learned that the hard way 60 years ago with the Russians...

Actually we have had Nordic co-operation from the 60s allowing travel without passports and free movement of labour etc. within the five Nordic countries. The only difference nowadays is that I can buy tax-free alcohol on my way to Norway... Finland has a long landborder with the Russian Federation and no one underestimates the importance of that border. That might lead us to discuss the ban of landmines, which Finland has not ratified, but this surely is not the place for that either!

Regards,

Niko

P.S. Go Finland!! (olympic hockey against the USA in SLC later today)