Minister for European Affairs Strand and European Commissioner Serafin visit Finland’s eastern border

On Friday 4 April, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand and European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin visited the Vaalimaa border crossing point at Finland’s eastern border. During the visit, Minister Strand and Commissioner Serafin discussed the EU’s next multiannual financial framework, focusing especially on financing issues related to eastern border regions and efforts to boost competitiveness.

Minister Strand and Commissioner Serafin also visited LUT University in Lappeenranta, where they learned about carbon-neutral energy production, the hydrogen economy and Power-to-X (PtX) technology, which converts electricity into other forms of energy.

The Commission is expected to present its proposal for the next EU multiannual financial framework (2028–) in July. Minister Strand highlighted the importance of the defence dimension in the allocation of EU funding. In Finland’s view, funding for defence and border security should be increased considerably from the current level.

Strand noted that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has shown how important it is to have strong ground troops that can defend Europe. The EU must also develop the management of its external borders.

“Finland’s external border is also an external border of the European Union. As such, the overarching importance of the eastern border should be taken into account in future EU funding solutions,” Minister Strand emphasised.

While in Finland, Commissioner Serafin also met with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and with members of the Grand Committee and Finance Committee in Parliament.

Inquiries: Alexander Lång, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 160 866, Satu Keskinen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 302 and Marko Ruonala, Chief Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 522 8233, Prime Minister's Office