Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses simplification of EU’s Common Agricultural Policy

In its meeting on Friday 23 May, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the possible use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The ministerial committee also discussed Finland’s positions on the simplification of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and the topics of several upcoming council meetings.

Based on an international discussion on the matter, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs specified Finland’s positions on the possible use of frozen assets (capital) from the Russian Central Bank to support Ukraine. The excess proceeds generated by the Russian Central Bank funds have already been used for the repayment of loans granted to Ukraine. In addition, a decision has been made to channel a portion of the proceeds to military support for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility.

The ministerial committee also discussed the Commission’s proposal for simplifying the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. The proposal aims to give more flexibility to the Member States and reduce the administrative burden on farmers. The proposal is part of the Commission’s broader effort to simplify EU regulation. Finland supports the Commission’s goals of simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and reducing the administrative burden.

The ministerial committee also outlined Finland’s positions for the following upcoming meetings:

• Foreign Affairs Council (Development) on 26 May
• Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 26 May 
• General Affairs Council on 27 May

The Foreign Affairs Council will discuss development finance, EU-Africa relations and the follow-up to the EU-AU ministerial meeting, and the EU’s external action post-2027. Ukraine will also be on the agenda.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will discuss the market situation for agricultural products and the Commission’s vision for agriculture and food. In other issues, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council will be briefed by the Commission on its recent proposal for simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy.

The General Affairs Council aims to reach a general approach on the proposal for simplifying the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism. The Council will also discuss the agenda of the June European Council, which will focus on Ukraine, the Middle East, defence and security, the EU in the world, competitiveness and migration.

Inquiries: Juuso Kilpinen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 322 9636, 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