Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses EU responses to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs met on Thursday 13 February to discuss proposals for a new EU sanctions package against Russia and for additional tariffs on imports of agricultural products and certain fertilisers from Russia and Belarus into EU countries. The meeting also discussed the ECOFIN meeting and informal meeting of Ministers for European Affairs being held next week.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the EU’s sixteenth sanctions package to be imposed on Russia. The European Commission and European External Action Service prepared the proposal for a new sanctions package, because Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues. Finland continues to strongly condemn Russia’s actions and unequivocally support Ukraine. Finland considers it important that the EU has a strong, effective and united response to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland’s positions on the Commission’s proposal to impose additional tariffs on imports of a number of agricultural products and certain fertilisers from Russia and Belarus into the EU. Finland supports supplementing sanctions with additional tariffs. In Finland’s view, it is important to monitor the development of fertiliser prices. Finland also considers the three-year transition period included in the proposal to be important. During this period, the additional duty based on import volume imposed on top of the tariff would remain moderate. The transition period will provide more time to step up fertiliser production in the EU and reinforce alternative sources of supply.
The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland’s positions for the upcoming meetings of the ECOFIN Council (18 February) and Eurogroup (18 February) and for the informal meeting of EU Ministers for European Affairs (17–18 February).
At the ECOFIN Council, the European Commission will present the Competitiveness Compass it published at the end of January. The ECOFIN Council is also set to adopt a recommendation on the discharge to be given to the Commission for the 2023 financial year. Finland does not support the recommendation on discharge.
The Eurogroup’s agenda includes the macroeconomic outlook and prospects for the euro area in a rapidly evolving global landscape, the adoption of the euro area recommendation for 2025 and its role going forward in boosting the competitiveness of the euro area, and the Eurogroup work programme.
The EU Ministers for European Affairs will debate the next Multiannual Financial Framework and will exchange views on strengthening Europe’s crisis preparedness on the basis of the report presented by former President of Finland Sauli Niinistö. The Ministers for European Affairs will also meet with countries aspiring to join the EU and exchange views with them on hybrid threats and preparing for such threats.
Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister in European Affairs, tel. +358 40 523 5768, Juuso Kilpinen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 444, Jari Luoto, Director General, EU Affairs Department, tel. +358 50 468 5949, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office
The agenda for the meeting of the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs is available (in Finnish and Swedish) on the Government website.