Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed EU Hybrid Toolbox

On 20 October, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the use of the EU Hybrid Toolbox, possible enlargement of the EU, and the Proposal for a Directive on Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation. The Ministerial Committee also outlined Finland's positions for the three forthcoming Council meetings.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs received an overview of damages to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and discussed how the opportunities provided by the EU could be utilised as the situation and investigation progress. The events concern three Member States in particular, and the Balticconnector gas pipeline is a common infrastructure of the EU. The EU finalised a Hybrid Toolbox in December 2022, which enables various joint measures in hybrid situations. Finland will activate the Hybrid Toolbox and share situational awareness with EU partners in the first phase. 

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the enlargement of the EU on the basis of the progress report. The European Commission is due to adopt its annual enlargement package in November and the Council conclusions on enlargement are to be adopted by the General Affairs Council in December. The matter will also be on the agenda of the December European Council.  The European Council will also define a framework for discussion on the Union's internal preparations for possible enlargement. The Commission intends to issue a communication on the matter in spring 2024.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland's positions on the Commission's Proposal for a Directive on Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation in Europe, which was unveiled in September. The objective of the BEFIT Directive is to simplify corporate taxation in the European Union’s internal market with a view to boosting the competitiveness of companies. This would be achieved by establishing common rules in determining the corporate income taxable base in the single market. Finland's positions become public once the matter has been discussed at a government session. 

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland's positions for the upcoming week's Council meetings: 
•    Agriculture and Fisheries Council (23–24 October)
•    Foreign Affairs Council (23 October)
•    General Affairs Council (24 December) 

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will aim to reach an agreement on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea in 2024. They will also discuss preparations for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the proposed amendment to the Waste Framework Directive from the perspective of food waste and food loss, and the prevailing situation in the agricultural markets following the aggression against Ukraine.

The Foreign Affairs Council will focus on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, developments between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Israel and its neighbouring areas. Other issues that will also be discussed include the situation in the Sahel region, tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, and China. 

The General Affairs Council is preparing for the October European Council (26–27 October) and will continue its rule of law dialogue. The Council will also receive a communication from the Commission on demographic change in Europe and an oral progress report from the Spanish Presidency on the amendment of the Regulation No 1/1958, which governs the languages used by the EU, as proposed by Spain.

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 07 33, Prime Minister’s Office