European Council discussed defence policy and the Digital Single Market
The European Council meeting continued on Friday 26 June with a discussion on the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and the Digital Single Market. The European Council gave the High Representative a mandate to prepare an EU strategy on foreign and security policy in close cooperation with Member States, to be submitted to the European Council by June 2016.
"For Finland, cooperation in the field of security and defence is important. We need to further develop cooperation within the EU and to use the EU's wide array of tools especially in responding to hybrid threats", Prime Minister Juha Sipilä said in Brussels.
The European Council also discussed the Commission's proposal on strengthening the Digital Single Market. Finland is one of the signees of the eight Member States' joint letter emphasising the importance of the digital economy to European competitiveness.
"Finland has actively supported the development of the internal market. The growth potential of the digital economy should be supported and the barriers to doing business across borders removed. It is important that, as a rule, all new EU legislation should be applicable to digital operating environments. Over-regulation, however, should be avoided not to prevent the creation of new innovations and business models."
The European Council took note of the report on development of the Economic and Monetary Union requested by the Euro Summit in October 2014. In addition, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom presented his plan for a referendum on EU membership in the UK. The European Council agreed to revert to the matter in December.
Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 315 and Jari Haapiainen, Special Adviser (EU-affairs), tel. +358 295 160 406, Prime Minister's Office
Joint letter by the Prime Ministers on the Digital Single Market
English translation of the press release published on 29 June 2015