Minister Adlercreutz in Berlin: The current global political situation demands a stronger and more competitive EU

On Tuesday 30 January, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz travelled to Berlin, where he met with German Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Lührmann and took part in several other high-level meetings.

His discussion with Minister Lührmann addressed a wide variety of topical EU issues. Among other things, the ministers discussed the status of the mid-term revision of the EU’s multiannual financial framework and the EUR 50 billion financial assistance instrument for Ukraine. Other items on the agenda included the development of the EU single market, the importance of fair competition, EU enlargement, and energy and climate issues.

“The current global political situation demands a stronger and more competitive EU. In this respect, we have to focus on our strengths, especially on developing the single market. To safeguard the EU’s strength and competitiveness, we must return to the normal State aid rules as soon as possible. We must not jeopardise the balance of our single market, which provides a solid foundation for the Union,” Minister Adlercreutz says.

Discussions also focused on promoting European security and the rule of law. Supporting Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression was also high on the agenda.

“In its meeting on 1 February, the European Council must reach a political agreement on the financial assistance instrument and long-term support for Ukraine. We must also make a determined effort to strengthen the capacity of the European defence industry and speed up the production of ammunition. It is very important that the work to implement Ukraine’s peace plan continues with the widest possible support,” Minister Adlercreutz says.

While in Berlin, Minister Adlercreutz also met with Anton Hofreiter, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs in the German Bundestag, Heiko Thoms, State Secretary for European Policy at the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Jörg Kukies, State Secretary for Economic, Finance and European Affairs at the Federal Chancellery.

In addition, Minister Adlercreutz met with representatives of the Board of Directors of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, which works to advance freedom and democracy.

Inquiries: Crista Grönroos, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 441 4257 and Satu Keskinen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 302, Prime Minister’s Office