Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses EU defence cooperation and economic security
In its meeting on Friday 1 March, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed issues related to security and defence policy, as well as economic security. The Ministerial Committee also outlined Finland’s positions for three upcoming council meetings.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs adopted Finland’s annual national implementation plan for Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which aims to deepen cooperation between the EU Member States in the defence sector. In its implementation plan, Finland reports on how it has advanced its commitments in 2023 and presents its plans for 2024 and 2025. Finland is a member of eight PESCO projects, an observer in 15 projects and coordinator of one project. As part of their national plans, the participating Member States issue political declarations every two years on the development of their measures at the national level. In its declaration, Finland emphasises the need to strengthen and deepen the EU’s defence comprehensively, with a stronger focus on synergies and compatibility with NATO’s objectives. Finland States that NATO membership has fundamentally changed Finland’s defence policy and offers new opportunities for cooperation within PESCO.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also approved a Europe communication assessing PESCO more broadly. Over this year and the next, the PESCO countries will jointly assess the project period ending in 2025 and will provide strategic guidance for the next period. Finland considers it especially important to intensify cooperation with regard to the defence industry and product development, military mobility, hybrid and cyber capabilities and joint rapid reaction forces. In Finland’s view, the forthcoming assessment must take into account the significant deterioration in the security situation, especially the threat posed by Russia in the short and long term. Finland supports deepening European defence cooperation in line with the Government Programme.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the European Commission’s January communication on five initiatives to strengthen the EU’s economic security. Finland considers it important that the EU’s economic security strategy take into account great power rivalry, geopolitical confrontation and the changed operating environment. It is important that the EU develop its economic security on its own basis, while at the same time building cooperation with like-minded partners. In Finland’s view, the work to enhance economic security must be based on developing the EU’s own strengths and improving its strategic competitiveness.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland’s positions for the following upcoming meetings:
- Justice and Home Affairs Council 4–5 March
- Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) 4 March
- Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry) 7 March
The ministers of the interior will focus on the general state of the Schengen area and the recent evaluation of the EU border and coast guard regulation (the law establishing Frontex). The ministers will also discuss the external dimension of migration and the effects of the Middle East conflict and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on the EU’s internal security.
The justice ministers will discuss measures to prevent and counter migrant smuggling and organised crime. They will also discuss legal measures to prosecute Russia for crimes committed during its war of aggression in Ukraine.
The Energy Council will seek political agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a Council recommendation on continuing coordinated measures to reduce the demand for gas. The ministers will also exchange views on security of supply and preparedness for next winter, and will discuss flexibility as an essential tool for the energy transition.
The Competitiveness Council, meeting in the composition of Internal market and industry, will discuss the proposal for a regulation on combating late payment in commercial transactions. The council also discuss the state of the single market and the annual single market and competitiveness report.
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