Minister for European Affairs Strand in Brussels: The vitality of eastern border regions is in the interest of the EU as a whole

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand visited Brussels on 24–26 February. The programme for his visit included meetings with Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto. He also took part in a high-level event focusing on the eastern border regions of the EU. During the visit, Minister Strand attended the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) on Tuesday 24 February, as well as another GAC meeting on cohesion policy on Thursday 26 February.

In Minister Strand’s meetings with the members of the Commission on Wednesday 25 February, discussions focused on the EU enlargement process, efforts to safeguard the rule of law, and the preparation of the EU’s next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.

“The EU must be able to strengthen its resilience while supporting frontline Member States that have a particular responsibility in the changed security environment. That is why our preparations for the next financial framework are so crucial – we have to make sure the Union’s resources correspond to the new, more challenging reality,” Minister Strand said.

The minister’s programme on Thursday 26 February included a high-level event on the EU’s eastern border regions, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered the opening address. Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has created many new challenges for the EU. Discussions at the event focused on the changed security environment and its impacts on the vitality and security of the eastern border regions. Minister Strand represented Finland in a panel discussion where ministers from countries on the eastern border discussed the challenges posed by the geopolitical situation and highlighted ways in which the EU could best respond to them.

“For Finland, keeping eastern border regions inhabited has always been an essential, concrete part of our comprehensive security strategy. For us, however, this is not really a question of cohesion policy. In the new geopolitical reality caused by Russia’s war of aggression, the vitality of eastern border regions is even more important for the security of Europe as a whole,” said Minister Strand.
 
“I would also like to stress how important it is for our citizens to see the EU provide support in exceptional circumstances – just as we have shown solidarity with other Member States in times of crisis,” Minister Strand continued.

Inquiries: Satu Keskinen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 302 and Alexander Lång, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 160 866, Prime Minister’s Office