Minister for European Affairs Strand to visit Brussels

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will visit Brussels on 24–26 February. On Tuesday 24 February, Minister Strand will attend a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council (GAC). On Wednesday, he will meet with three members of the Commission. On Thursday 26 February, the minister will attend a GAC meeting on cohesion policy and take part in a high-level event focusing on the EU’s eastern border regions.

The GAC meeting on Tuesday 24 February will focus on preparations for the European Council on 19–20 March. Items on the agenda for the March European Council include Ukraine, the Middle East, competitiveness and the single market, the next multiannual financial framework, defence and security, and migration.

“Today, exactly four years since the start of Russia’s large-scale war of aggression, our most important message is our strong and unwavering support for Ukraine,” said Minister Strand.

“Preparations for the European Council will focus on issues that are crucial for the security and sustainable development of the Union as a whole. We need to make determined efforts to strengthen the single market, boost competitiveness and deepen defence and security cooperation. Our ongoing work on the multiannual financial framework also requires the Member States to come up with joint, long-term solutions,” Minister Strand continued.

On Wednesday 25 February, Minister Strand will meet 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.

On Thursday 26 February, the General Affairs Council will exchange views on the lessons learned from the mid-term review of the EU’s 2021–2027 cohesion policy. The GAC is also expected to approve conclusions on the EU’s Urban Agenda. The conclusions are acceptable to Finland.

“We support the Commission’s proposal on using cohesion funds to increase comprehensive security. In Finland’s view, military mobility projects, defence infrastructure and wide-ranging development of the defence industry play a key role in strengthening regional competitiveness and boosting employment,” Minister Strand said.

Minister Strand’s programme for Thursday will also include a high-level event on the EU’s eastern border regions, where discussions will focus on the changed security environment and the effects of border closures on regional vitality and security.

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