Minister for European Affairs Strand to visit Brussels

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will visit Brussels on Wednesday 15 January. During the visit, Minister Strand will meet with Commissioner for Budget and Administration Piotr Serafin and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. He will also take part in the Sustainable Energy Reimagined conference.

The minister’s discussions with Commissioner Serafin will focus on the multiannual financial framework (2028–), EU defence funding and competitiveness. Strand and Serafin will also discuss the special funding needs of Finland’s eastern regions in the current geopolitical landscape.

“In all EU funding, the top priorities should be strong support for the Union’s competitiveness, the rule of law and Ukraine. This allows us to build and safeguard the peace and prosperity on which the Union is founded and which must never be compromised, even in the most difficult times,” says Minister Strand.

Discussions with Commissioner Kos will focus on the state of the EU enlargement process. 

“In Finland’s view, a merit-based approach and alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy are key prerequisites for EU membership. We must be able to maintain the current positive momentum in the enlargement process in a comprehensive manner, hopefully with all membership candidates. At the same time, we have to remember that the goal of enlargement is a stronger Union,” Minister Strand says.

While in Brussels, Minister Strand will also take part in the Sustainable Energy Reimagined conference. which will bring together a large number of public and private actors, including representatives of the energy industry, universities, political institutions and authorities. The goal is to exchange situational awareness, ideas and recommendations on how to achieve a sustainable and competitive European energy transition.

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