Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses EU leaders’ retreat and future of EU defence
In its meeting on Friday 31 January, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the upcoming informal EU leaders’ retreat. The Ministerial Committee also discussed ways to exercise influence on the future of EU defence and outlined Finland’s positions for the informal meeting of competitiveness and trade ministers.
The members of the European Council will have an informal meeting, or retreat, on 3 February in Brussels. The main theme of the discussions will be defence. At the meeting, Prime Minister Orpo will also highlight the protection of critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Recent events in the Baltic Sea have further emphasised the acute need for joint EU preparedness. This is about protecting critical European cross-border infrastructure and ensuring that it can function in all circumstances.
Finland’s view is that the EU must be a stronger geopolitical actor, as Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine combined with intensifying competition between major powers has brought rapid, profound and long-lasting changes to the European security environment. Finland’s goal is to get Russia to end its war and illegal occupation of areas in Ukraine and to repel Russia’s destabilising actions. Finland considers it important that the EU continue its strong, effective and united response to Russia’s military attacks against Ukraine. Russia’s war of aggression means that Europe must improve its military capabilities. Finland is open to various funding solutions to support Ukraine and, in connection with this, to strengthen comprehensive security throughout Europe. Finland is open to proposals for strengthening the EU’s defence industry base in the next multiannual financial framework. However, Finland’s starting point is that any EU financial assistance should primarily take the form of loans or guarantees in order to leverage private funding. The Government is willing to support the Commission’s request for the European Investment Bank to change its lending policy to enable more extensive financing of defence investments.
Finland will promote the mutually complementary cooperation between NATO and the EU that reinforces transatlantic burden sharing. Finland supports efforts to promote the EU’s partnerships, especially with NATO, the United States, Norway and the United Kingdom. Finland also supports a flexible approach to third countries’ participation in the supply chains of EU projects, provided that security policy aspects are taken into account. Finland wants to see cooperation between the EU and the United States that is as close as possible. Finland considers it important that the United States remain committed to cooperation conducted within the rules-based international system. The United States’ commitment to Europe, through both bilateral arrangements and NATO, is of central importance to security in Europe and Finland. Finland advocates for the dismantling of barriers to trade in the Euro-Atlantic area.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also formulated Finland’s priorities for influencing the future of EU defence. Finland will highlight its views and proactively influence the joint white paper of the European Commission and the European External Action Service, which is due to be published in March. The purpose of the paper is to examine European defence from the standpoints of capabilities, defence investments and efforts to strengthen the defence industry.
In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for the informal meeting of competitiveness and trade ministers. The meeting in Warsaw will focus on ensuring a coherent trade and industrial policy to strengthen the EU’s global position. The ministers will also discuss the future of the EU-US partnership.
Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister in European Affairs, tel. +358 40 523 5768, Jari Luoto, Director General, EU Affairs Department, tel. +358 50 468 5949