Importance of the EU's unity and resilience emphasised during Minister for European Affairs Tuppurainen’s visit to Paris

Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen visited Paris on 14–15 February and met her French colleagues Minister of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune, Minister of Public Sector Transformation and the Civil Service Amélie de Montchalin and Minister Delegate for Public Accounts Olivier Dussopt. The discussions highlighted the need to build a stronger EU that is capable of taking effective action in all circumstances. This work must be carried out in consultation with the Union's citizens.

Ministers for European Affairs Tuppurainen and Beaune had a comprehensive discussion on the priorities of France's current Presidency of the Council of the European Union and other topical EU issues. The discussion also covered the weakened security situation in Europe and Russia’s destabilising actions in Ukraine. Minister Tuppurainen stressed that continued dialogue and diplomacy play a key role here. The fundamental principles of European security must be adhered to. This means that every country has the right to decide on its own security policies, and the notion of ‘spheres of influence’ is not acceptable. If necessary, the EU is prepared to respond to Russia’s actions by imposing severe sanctions.

Finland and France share a common interest to strengthen the EU’s security and defence cooperation. The recent developments in Europe's security situation further emphasise the importance of the so-called Strategic Compass. The Strategic Compass will determine the direction of the EU’s security and defence cooperation and clarify its objectives over the next 5 to 10 years.

Finland supports France's determined efforts to uphold the rule of law in the EU. Minister Tuppurainen said that it is very important to adhere to the EU’s common values and to strengthen the rule of law in a variety of ways.

The ministers discussed the EU climate package, launched in July, which should be implemented as soon as possible. The objective of this so-called Fit-for-55 package is to reduce the EU’s CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Minister Tuppurainen also expressed her concern about securing the prerequisites of winter navigation, which is important for Finland.

Ministers Tuppurainen and Beaune also discussed the outcomes of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the consequent work to be carried out. The aim of the Conference was to hear people’s opinions on what kind of EU they would like to have in the future.

As part of the Conference, a ‘We are Europe’ series of events was arranged in Finland last autumn and early this year. In the discussion with her colleague, Minister Tuppurainen emphasised that Finns want the EU to take concrete action to combat climate change, to assume a stronger role in guaranteeing security and defending democracy, the rule of law and values, and to develop a common migration and asylum policy. The final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe will be completed this spring during France's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In their discussion, Ministers Tuppurainen and de Montchalin stressed the need to strengthen the EU’s unity, especially in the current unstable international situation. The significance of the development of digitalisation and public administration for the future of Europe was also among the discussion topics.

At the end of the visit, Minister Tuppurainen and Minister Delegate for Public Accounts Olivier Dussopt had a discussion on the state ownership steering policy in their countries. In particular, the ministers discussed the role of responsibility in ownership steering.

During her visit to Paris, Minister Tuppurainen also had several meetings with other representatives of the French government and representatives of Finnish companies.

Inquiries: Satu Keskinen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 302 and Saara Pokki, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 620, Prime Minister’s Office