Prime Minister Orpo emphasises EU’s role in responding to challenges of our time at Europe Forum

At the Europe Forum in Turku, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo took part in a discussion marking the 30th anniversary of Finland’s EU membership. Prime Minister Orpo also delivered an opening speech at the event. His key message was that today, we need the European Union more than ever. And the European Union needs Finland more than ever.

Prime Minister Orpo described how over its thirty years of EU membership, Finland has grown into a player with an outsize influence in the EU. Membership has not only given Finland political weight, it has also brought concrete benefits to people’s everyday lives. The development of the Finnish economy is strongly linked to that of other European economies, and the single market gives Finnish companies opportunities for growth and renewal.  

Events such as the euro crisis, the occupation of Crimea, the refugee crisis, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis have all required common European solutions. And we have succeeded in finding those solutions. 

Prime Minister Orpo noted that the EU is currently prioritising issues that are important for Finland. This is a sign of successful efforts to influence EU policy, and Finland stands to benefit significantly. 

The proposal for the EU’s next multiannual financial framework also reflects policy priorities that are important for Finland. For example, the proposal includes a fivefold increase in defence funding and a tenfold increase in funding for military mobility. Funding for the Horizon research programme would be doubled, funding for border security tripled and funding for digital competitiveness increased sevenfold.

In his speech at the forum, Prime Minister Orpo drew special attention to two of Finland's EU policy priorities: strengthening security and defence and supporting Ukraine.

“First of all, the EU is moving in the right direction when it comes to strengthening security and defence. This work should definitely continue. Russia poses a permanent threat. The Union is now committed to strengthening our common security and defence in a way we could not have imagined a few short years ago,” said Prime Minister Orpo. 

Orpo noted that the Commission has recognised Finland’s exceptional position as Russia’s neighbour. The EU’s next budget proposal includes an allocation of EUR 1.6 billion to Finland for border security, managing migration and ensuring internal security.

“That figure represents an increase of more than one billion from the previous period. This is an important political victory for Finland and an indication of the Government’s successful lobbying efforts. It is precisely this funding that we can use to support the vitality of Eastern and Northern Finland, as this is also a key component of our comprehensive security strategy and the security of our border regions,” Prime Minister Orpo said.

“A year ago, Commission President von der Leyen visited Finland's eastern border at my invitation. The connection between that visit and the Commission’s budget proposal is hardly a coincidence,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

Prime Minister Orpo said that the starting point for financing the EU’s defence is the need to respond to the permanent threat posed by Russia. This can be seen in the fact that the Commission’s proposal puts particular emphasis on the financing criteria for countries that share a border with Russia.

The Prime Minister also recalled that funding for the current EU support facility for Ukraine will end in 2027, but the need for support will continue for much longer. He proposed that the EU set up a new, long-term and robust support facility for Ukraine.

“It should be similar in scale to the current EUR 50 billion support facility,” Prime Minister Orpo said.

At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister pointed out that the EU is finally tackling major issues.
“This is evident on many fronts – we are removing barriers to the single market, developing capital markets, lifting unnecessary regulation and forging new trade agreements,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

“Our new trade agreements, in particular, also offer new growth opportunities for Finnish companies. Europe has to recognise its own potential for growth. Finland has every opportunity to make Europe stronger, safer and more competitive than ever,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

Inquiries: Juuso Kilpinen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 444, Prime Minister’s Office