EU agrees on rule of law mechanism and raises climate target

The European Council, which began in Brussels on Thursday 10 December, has reached an agreement in the dispute over the rule of law mechanism connected to the use of EU funds. The Council also agreed to raise the EU’s emissions reduction target. The Council adopted conclusions on Turkey’s actions and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The EU leaders also agreed on closer cooperation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Sanna Marin represented Finland at the meeting.

The European Council reached an agreement on how to link the receipt of Union funds to respect for the rule of law. The rule of law conditionality mechanism represents an important reform. It will help to strengthen our shared value base and protect the Union's budget and resources. The new mechanism is important for the functioning, acceptability and credibility of the EU.

The agreement now reached will allow the European Parliament and the Council to move forward in finalising the financial framework and recovery package agreed on in July. This will mobilise funding to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and make it possible for the funding programmes under the new financial framework to begin.

It was important for Finland that the text of the regulation not be changed from what was already agreed with the European Parliament. Its decision-making by qualified majority is central. The legal mechanism and the promotion of the rule of law in a broader sense were among the most important priorities of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, which ended a year ago.

The European Council agreed on a new, more stringent emissions reduction target for the EU. The Union is now committed to reducing its emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels. The previous emissions reduction target was 40 per cent. The new objective represents a milestone towards the EU’s previously set objective of carbon neutrality by 2050. The EU will present its new commitment at the UN Climate Summit on Saturday 12 December.

Finland has pushed for a more stringent EU climate target and welcomes the decision. In Finland’s view, it is important to for the EU to reach its new target of 55 per cent above all through emissions reductions. Finland also stresses the need for all EU Member States to participate in implementing the Union’s objective.

With regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU leaders affirmed that the epidemiological situation remains difficult. With this in mind, the European Council agreed to strengthen cooperation on mitigation efforts. It is very important to prevent new waves of infection and to ensure the availability and rapid distribution of vaccines to citizens in line with the Member States' vaccination programmes. 

The European Council also discussed the relationship between the EU and Turkey. The European Council invites the Council to intensify the restrictive measures against parties engaged in unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The EU leaders will return to the discussion on relations with Turkey by March 2021 at the latest.

The EU leaders also decided to continue the restrictive measures imposed on Russia as a result of its destabilising actions in Ukraine.

The European Council also discussed relations between the EU and the USA. The EU leaders believe that the Union should build open and close cooperation with the future United States administration. It would be important for the United States to commit itself to the rules-based international system and multilateral cooperation in order to respond to global challenges and promote sustainable development.

The Friday Euro Summit confirmed the agreement reached earlier in the Eurogroup on the reform of the European Stability Mechanism and the early introduction of the backstop to the Single Resolution Fund.  The Euro Summit also outlined further steps with regard to strengthening the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union.

The European Council strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks across Europe. The EU leaders agreed on the need to strengthen EU police and judicial cooperation and coordination. Even more effective action is needed to eradicate extremism and propaganda, especially that which is spread online.

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Tuulia Pitkänen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 231, Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office