Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlines top priorities for influencing EU policy in the coming year

In its meeting on Friday 21 November, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed Finland’s proactive efforts to influence EU policy in 2026 and took stock of the success of advance influence efforts in 2025. Other topics on the agenda included promoting defence readiness, the proposal for the EU’s next multiannual financial framework, asylum and migration policy and the EU-African Union Summit.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs outlined Finland's priorities for influencing EU policy in 2026. In the coming year, special attention will be paid to defence and border security, support for Ukraine and strengthening strategic competitiveness. In line with the government resolution on the exercise of advance influence within the EU, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs sets the Government’s common priorities for influencing EU policy on an annual basis.

Before setting next year’s priorities, the ministerial committee took stock of the success of influence efforts at the political and official levels over the past year. The ministerial committee noted that efforts have been active, timely and productive. The priorities for influencing EU policy in 2025 were  the EU’s multiannual financial framework, comprehensive security and simplifying regulation.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also outlined Finland’s positions on the October communication by the European Commission and European External Action Service on the Defence Readiness Roadmap for 2030. The communication sets out in concrete terms the needs for developing European defence capabilities presented in the White Paper on Defence.

Finland supports the objectives of the roadmap and stresses that the EU and its Member States must commit to developing European defence in order to respond to the ongoing long-term threat posed by Russia. Measures to bolster defence must focus on the eastern flank of the EU and must be coordinated with NATO.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland’s positions on the European Commission’s proposal for the multiannual financial framework, which will serve as the Union’s long-term budget for 2028–2034. At this meeting, the ministerial committee formulated positions on two draft regulations:

• Proposal for a regulation establishing the Erasmus+ programme
• Proposal for a regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme

The ministerial committee’s Union communications on the proposed regulations will become public once they have been discussed in a government session.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed and outlined its positions on the Commission’s November proposal for a solidarity package related to the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. As part of the package, the Commission has assessed the situation with regard to migration in the Member States and proposed an Annual Solidarity Pool to support countries facing migratory pressure. Member States would be able to contribute to the Solidarity Pool by providing financial support, relocating asylum seekers or offering expert assistance, for example. Finland intends to participate in the Solidarity Pool with a financial contribution.

The ministerial committee also discussed the seventh EU-African Union (AU) Summit taking place in Luanda, the capital of Angola, on 24–25 November. The main themes of the summit will be promoting trade, investments and economic relations, deepening cooperation on peace and security, strengthening the multilateral system and developing cooperation on migration and mobility. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will represent Finland at the summit.

Inquiries: Juuso Kilpinen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 322 9636, Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office