Prime Minister Orpo to represent Finland at informal European Council

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will attend an informal meeting of EU heads of state or government hosted by Cyprus, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting will take place in Lefkosia and Agia Napa on 23–24 April. Discussions at the meeting will focus on current geopolitical challenges and the EU’s multiannual financial framework, which will serve as the Union’s long-term budget for 2028–2034.

The meeting will begin on Thursday 23 April with an informal dinner, where the EU leaders will be joined by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a discussion on the situation in Ukraine. The main topic of discussion over dinner will be the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf and its effects on energy prices, among other things. The EU leaders will also discuss the Union’s ability to respond to the geopolitical situation and changes in the security environment more broadly. In connection with this, the leaders will receive a briefing from High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on ongoing work related to Article 42(7) of the Treaty of Lisbon.

Discussions on the second day of the meeting will focus on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework. The EU leaders will discuss and offer political guidance on the overall level of funding and the framework’s contribution to the EU’s competitiveness agenda.

The meeting will conclude with an informal working lunch, where the leaders will be joined by their colleagues from a few countries in the Southern Neighbourhood. Over lunch, the leaders will discuss topical events in the Middle East, seek common views and explore new opportunities for cooperation.

Finland’s positions on the themes of the informal European Council have been published in the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs’ press release on Wednesday 22 April. 

Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 363, Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office