Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined positions for European Council meeting

On Wednesday 17 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the European Council meeting at the end of this week. The Ministerial Committee also discussed ways to use the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support Ukraine, Commission Communication on fertilisers and reform of the merger control rules.

The topics on the agenda of the European Council meeting on 18–19 June are Ukraine, the Middle East, Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, competitiveness and global economic challenges, European defence and security, migration, illicit drugs and enlargement.

With respect to Ukraine, Finland considers it important that the EU will continue the strong and united response to Russia’s military attack. Finland supports the EU’s efforts to weaken Russia’s ability to pursue its military actions. For the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, Finland aims to get the remaining clusters of chapters opened as quickly as possible.

As a member of the international community, Finland will continue the efforts to stabilise the situation in the Middle East and defuse the wider international tensions. Finland stresses that lasting solutions can be found through diplomacy, negotiations and international law. Civilians and the civilian infrastructure must be protected in all situations.

With respect to the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, Finland considers that the overall level of funding proposed by the Cyprus Presidency is too high. In addition, the proposed reductions would affect the new key priorities for the EU funding too much, including the strengthening of defence and competitiveness. Particular attention should be paid to Finland’s unique position as both a Member State on the EU’s eastern external border and a net contributor to the EU budget. The special funding for Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPAs) should also be secured in the future.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs is strongly in favour of using the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support Ukraine. This will become possible now that Hungary has lifted its veto. The European External Action Service proposes that EUR 6.6 billion in funding from the EPF be used for the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) in Ukraine, joint procurement to support the Ukraine’s armed forces and defence industry, and reimbursements for the Member States.

The Ministerial Committee welcomes the Commission Communication on the Fertiliser Action Plan. The aim is to address the rise in fertiliser prices and supply problems in Europe. Finland considers it important to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU’s own fertiliser production, ensure affordable prices for the products and remove barriers to nutrient recycling.

The Ministerial Committee further elaborated on Finland’s positions concerning the reform of the merger control rules. The Commission is expected to issue new guidelines by the end of the year that will specify the framework for the assessment of mergers. The present guidelines date back almost twenty years. Finland welcomes the reform.

Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister in EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 595 7751, Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431 and Marko Ruonala, Chief Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 522 8233, Prime Minister’s Office