Minister Adlercreutz discusses EU enlargement prospects and strong commitment to supporting Ukraine on visit to Tallinn

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz visited Tallinn on Monday 30 October at the invitation of Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. Topics on the agenda included the future of EU enlargement, developing the Union's resilience and preparedness and preparing the next EU Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029.

The European Commission assesses the progress made by candidate countries in its annual enlargement package. This year’s enlargement package will be published at the beginning of November.

“EU enlargement is an increasingly important strategic investment in the security, stability and peace of the whole of Europe. At the same time, it is now more important for countries to commit themselves to the EU’s values and common foreign and security policy. Finland supports the enlargement partners in implementing the reforms necessary for EU membership,” says Minister Adlercreutz.

Ministers Adlercreutz and Tsahkna discussed the damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline and telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea and the ongoing investigation into the matter. The Finnish, Estonian and Swedish authorities will continue to investigate the incidents in close cooperation with the EU and NATO. The discussion also explored the possibility of using EU funds to compensate for this damage to critical infrastructure in the EU. 

In addition, the ministers discussed Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and ways to further ramp up the EU’s assistance to Ukraine. The goal is to strengthen comprehensive long-term support to Ukraine with funding from the European Peace Facility (EPF) and the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

“The international community has a moral and legal obligation to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom against Russia’s criminal war of aggression. We will continue to work tirelessly to fulfil this obligation. The goal must be for the war to end as soon as possible with a just and lasting peace,” says Minister Adlercreutz.

Inquiries: Andreas Elfving, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 310 0274 and Satu Keskinen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 302, Prime Minister’s Office