Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses new EU Bioeconomy Strategy
On Friday 13 March, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discussed the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy and outlined Finland’s positions for four council meetings to be held next week.
The ministerial committee discussed the Commission’s November 2025 communication entitled ‘A Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy’. Finland welcomes the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy and notes that it is in line with Finland’s objectives. In Finland’s view, the strategy will create a framework for a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy in the EU.
The objectives of the strategy, which include increasing value added, commercialising innovations and boosting competitiveness, are also central to Finland’s own bioeconomy strategy. The EU wants to position itself as a global leader in the market for bioeconomy solutions. The bioeconomy also plays a key role in strengthening the Union’s competitiveness and resilience. Conclusions on the new Bioeconomy Strategy will be adopted by the Environment Council in its meeting on 17 March.
The ministerial committee also outlined Finland’s positions for the following council meetings:
- Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) on 16 March
- Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March
- General Affairs Council on 17 March
- Environment Council on 17 March
The energy ministers will hold a policy debate on the TEN-E regulation included in the European grids package and will discuss affordable energy, efforts to promote energy security in the EU, Ukraine and Moldova and ways to accelerate clean energy investments.
The Foreign Affairs Council meeting will focus on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood. The ministers will also discuss the European security strategy. In connection with the meeting, the ministers will have an informal discussion with the Indian Minister for External Affairs.
The General Affairs Council will discuss the draft conclusions for the March European Council and hold a policy debate on the next multiannual financial framework, which will serve as the EU’s long-term financial plan for 2028–2034. The Council will also agree on amending the European Election Act so that Members of the European Parliament can vote in plenary by proxy during pregnancy and after giving birth. Another topic on the agenda will be the progress of the 2026 European Semester.
The Environment Council will approve conclusions on the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. The ministers will also discuss the amendment to the regulation on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, post-2030 climate targets and the EU’s environmental and climate diplomacy.
Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 363, 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