Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs outlines Finland’s positions ahead of EUCO

In its meeting on Wednesday 17 April, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the special European Council to be held in Brussels on 17 and 18 April. Items on the agenda for the meeting include the ongoing events in the Middle East and Ukraine, relations with Türkiye and Europe’s long-term competitiveness.

In Finland’s view, the EU’s strategic competitiveness should be based on further developing the Union’s strengths and implementing market-based solutions. A well-functioning single market based on free movement and an effective state aid and competition policy play a key role in promoting predictability and ensuring a favourable investment environment. Finland stresses the importance of open, rules-based and responsible international trade for Europe’s competitiveness. Finland wants the EU to focus strongly on the potential for growing the bioeconomy, especially in its industrial policy. The EU should continue its efforts to promote the data economy and digitalisation and should pay particular attention to investments in disruptive technologies. Finland wants to see lighter and better EU regulation. 

Finland emphasises that the main objective of the capital markets union should be to ensure an efficient and solvent financial market in which risks are priced correctly and a bail-in mechanism is in place. Finland advocates for finding common European solutions for developing capital markets as part of the work to strengthen strategic competitiveness.

In connection with the debate on competitiveness, Finland stresses that the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy should focus on improving food security. The Union must promote an open and fair trade policy. Finland supports adopting additional measures to restrict imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus into the European Union. 

Finland emphasises that the EU must continue and increase its strong political, economic, and military support and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Finland supports the proposal by the Commission and the High Representative to use the additional profits from frozen Russian central bank assets to support Ukraine. Finland considers it important to decide on the matter quickly. In Finland's view, it would be appropriate to allocate the assets referred to in the proposal both to Ukraine’s defence and to support reconstruction.

Finland supports intensifying cooperation between the EU and Türkiye in a way that takes into account Türkiye’s strategic and economic importance and significant regional role. Finland is deeply concerned about the negative developments concerning democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the judiciary in Türkiye. At the same time, Türkiye is a key partner for the EU, and it is important to continue cooperation and dialogue even on more difficult issues.

With regard to the Middle East, Finland supports the EU’s strong, united action. In Finland’s view, the EU should work to promote a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Finland stresses that the use of military force must be necessary and proportionate from the perspective of international law. Finland strongly condemns Iran’s strike and emphasises the critical importance of de-escalation in the current tense situation in the Middle East. Finland and the EU are making efforts to influence all parties to refrain from actions that further undermine regional security. Finland will maintain active contact with the countries in the region.

Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 523 5768, Jari Luoto, Director General, EU Affairs Department, tel. +358 50 468 5949, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office

Agendas for the meetings of the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs and public documents discussed at the meetings are available on the Prime Minister’s Office website (in Finnish and Swedish).