Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses Commission communication on drones
In its meeting, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the Commission communication on security threats posed by drones and the Commission’s proposal for a regulation to boost EU industry. The ministerial committee also outlined Finland’s positions for four council meetings taking place next week.
In February, the European Commission issued a communication on a new action plan to counter the security threats posed by drones. The communication aims to find a united and comprehensive approach to countering threats posed by malicious drones. The idea is for the action plan to complement and support measures taken by the Member States at the national level. The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs affirmed that Finland supports these objectives. The threats posed by drones extend beyond national borders and may be very significant. For this reason, measures at the EU level play an integral role. Finland welcomes the fact that the action plan covers all branches of government and also aims to boost drone production in Europe. Moreover, Finland supports the Commission’s objective of launching a drone alliance with Ukraine.
The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the Commission’s March proposal for a regulation on boosting EU industry and accelerating its shift towards low-carbon technologies and products. The proposal puts forth measures that would improve the EU’s competitiveness and increase manufacturing’s share of EU GDP from 14.3 per cent in 2024 to 20 per cent by 2035. The proposal focuses on strategic sectors for the EU economy that are subject to pressure from global competition, such as energy-intensive sectors. The proposal also includes measures to promote the clean transition in EU industry and boost demand for low-carbon products. Finland’s positions will be made public once they have been discussed at a government session.
The ministerial committee also outlined Finland’s positions for the following four meetings:
• Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council on 11–12 May
• Foreign Affairs Council on 11 May
• Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) on 12 May
• Informal meeting of energy ministers on 12–15 May
In their meeting, the ministers responsible for education will approve a partial negotiating mandate on the Erasmus+ funding programme. They will also exchange views on the need to ensure basic skills in a rapidly changing operating environment and adopt conclusions on teachers in the age of artificial intelligence. The ministers responsible for youth affairs will discuss ways to ensure that EU policies are youth-friendly and will approve resolutions on the revision of the EU Youth Strategy Work Plan for 2025–2027 and the outcomes of the EU Youth Dialogue. The ministers of culture will approve a partial negotiating mandate on the AgoraEU funding programme and exchange views on the 2027–2032 EU Work Plan for Culture. The ministers responsible for sport will exchange views on mental health in sport and approve conclusions on sport tourism as a contributor to sustainable development.
The Foreign Affairs Council meeting will focus on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and the Western Balkans.
The Foreign Affairs Council in its composition with defence ministers will discuss the European Security Strategy, EU military support to Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and its implication for European security, and the EU’s defence readiness.
The informal meeting of energy ministers will focus on guaranteeing affordable and reliable energy, electricity storage and the future of the EU’s energy security.
Inquiries: Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office