Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs outlines Finland’s positions ahead of upcoming EU summits

In its meeting on Wednesday 13 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the EU-Western Balkans Summit on 13 December and the European Council meeting on 14–15 December, both of which will be held in Brussels. In addition, the Ministerial Committee discussed the government resolution on the exercise of advance influence within the EU and proposals for amending the EU Treaties.

The EU-Western Balkans Summit will focus on the current geopolitical situation, the Union’s support for reforms in the countries in the region and the enlargement of the EU, along with regional cooperation and the new growth package. In Finland’s view, the Summit is a good opportunity to strengthen the relations and common will between the EU and the Western Balkan countries and to outline ways to intensify cooperation in a variety of areas. The leaders at the meeting will issue an EU declaration, which the partners will be invited to join.

Items on the agenda for the December European Council include Ukraine, the Middle East, the mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework, enlargement, security and defence, migration, and other topical issues such as hybrid attacks, antisemitism, racism and the Strategic Agenda.

Finland considers it important for the EU to reaffirm its unwavering support for Ukraine and renew its commitment to provide economic, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine.

With regard to enlargement, Finland’s view is that enlargement based on the applicant countries’ merits and fulfilment of membership criteria strengthens the Union’s security, global status and economic wellbeing while also promoting democracy, the rule of law and the realisation of fundamental rights. Finland agrees with the Commission’s recommendation to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and to adopt the negotiating frameworks once the remaining conditions are met.

With respect to the mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework, Finland’s view is that the total amount of additional funding is too high. Instead, Finland stresses the need to increase the amount of reallocations within the budget from current EU funds. Finland is strongly committed to supporting Ukraine and is open to various funding solutions. Finland emphasises the importance of the assistance provided by the Ukraine Facility. Finland will formulate its final position on the package based on Finland’s overall interests. 

On 9 June 2022, the European Parliament presented a set of proposals for amending the EU Treaties as part of the follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe held in 2021–2022. Under Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the Council is now required to submit the Parliament’s proposals to the European Council for consideration and to the national parliaments for information. In Finland’s view as outlined by the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs, the EU should be developed into a better and more effective Union primarily within the framework of the current Treaties.

The Ministerial Committee also held an exchange of views on the government resolution on the exercise of advance influence within the EU. In line with the Government Programme, the Government is committed to enhancing Finland’s ability to exercise influence within the EU, including in advance, and to speeding up the formulation of positions. A government resolution on the exercise of advance influence within the EU and the proactive formulation of positions has been drawn up for this purpose. The resolution will be adopted at a government plenary session.

Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 523 5768, Jari Luoto, Director General, EU Affairs Department, tel. +358 50 468 5949 and Lauri Heikkinen, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 46 923 5090, Prime Minister’s Office

Agendas for the meetings of the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs and public documents discussed at the meetings are available on the Prime Minister’s Office website (in Finnish).