Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses informal EU meeting

In its meeting on Wednesday 9 March, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the upcoming informal meeting of heads of state or government in France, the Commission Communication on fiscal policy guidance and the proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

After a briefing on the situation, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine will also feature prominently in the informal meeting of heads of state or government to be hosted by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union at Versailles on 10–11 March. Other topics on the agenda at the EU meeting will be bolstering the Union’s defence capabilities, reducing energy dependency and building a more robust economic base. 

Finland continues to strongly condemn Russia’s attack and to call for an immediate end to the military actions. Finland operates as part of the EU and is prepared to step up sanctions against Russia further going forward. The EU must significantly increase its support to Ukraine as soon as possible. In Finland’s view, the applications for EU membership submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova should be discussed at the meeting. That said, it is important to adhere to the agreed principles of the enlargement process.

Finland is in favour of strengthening the EU’s security and defence policy and is participating actively in the work to develop it. This work must take into account the changes in the operating environment. The EU’s commitment to the mutual defence clause (Article 42.7) is important. In the context of reducing energy dependence, Finland considers it important to increase the share of renewable and emission-free energy sources in the energy mix. With regard to promoting competitiveness, Finland emphasises the role of a strong and united single market. A robust economy is based on the responsible management and sustainability of public finances.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the Commission Communication on fiscal policy guidance for 2023. In the Communication, the Commission gives guidance to the EU Member States on the conduct of fiscal policy in 2023 and provides preliminary information on the implementation of budgetary surveillance in spring 2022.  The Communication will also be on the agenda for the meetings of the ECOFIN Council and the Eurogroup on 15 and 14 March, respectively.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discussed the European Commission’s proposal for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) included in the Fit for 55 Package. The French Presidency is progressing swiftly on the negotiations, and the Government has revised the preliminary positions it adopted in October 2021.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will also be on the agenda for the ECOFIN meeting on 15 March. In addition, that meeting will include a discussion on the global minimum tax rate for multinational corporations. For its part, the Eurogroup (14 March) will discuss fiscal policy coordination for 2023 and receive a briefing on Greece’s 13th enhanced surveillance report.

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Tuulia Pitkänen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 231, Kare Halonen, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 319, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office

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