Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses proposal for EU energy measures and human rights sanctions

In its meeting on Friday 12 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the Commission’s AccelerateEU communication, which contains measures to respond to peaks in the prices of imported fossil fuels caused by the situation in the Middle East. The ministerial committee also discussed the EU’s human rights sanctions, the post-2030 climate architecture, the CSAM regulation and the annual report on the measures taken by Finland in EU litigation.

On 22 April, the European Commission adopted a communication entitled AccelerateEU Energy Union – Affordable and Secure Energy through Accelerated Action.  The proposed measures include improving coordination, protecting households and industry, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, strengthening the EU energy system and mobilising investments in the clean transition. Finland supports the clean transition as the foundation for the EU’s security of supply, economic growth and competitiveness. Finland will formulate its positions in more detail once the Commission has issued its finalised proposals.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also outlined Finland's positions on the proposal for a new sanctions list as part of the EU’s global human rights sanctions regime established in 2020. Finland supports the active and consistent implementation of the sanctions regime. Finland considers it important that the EU impose sanctions on individuals and communities that have committed serious and systematic human rights violations. The EU’s sanctions policy should continue to be based on targeted and proportionate sanctions with a strong legal basis.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs formulated Finland’s positions on the post-2030 climate legislative framework, the national obligations of EU Member States and the voluntary carbon market. The Commission is expected to present its legislative proposals for implementing the 2040 climate target at the end of this year.

Also in the meeting, the ministerial committee agreed on Finland’s negotiating positions concerning the proposal for a CSAM regulation, which aims to prevent and combat sexual violence against children. Negotiations on the regulation between the Member States and the European Parliament are now in the trilogue phase.

In addition, the ministerial committee received an overview of the report on the measures taken by the Government of Finland in EU litigation and infringement cases in 2025. The report contains statistical data on Finland’s participation in cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union, infringement proceedings initiated, and Finland’s positions in those cases.

Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister in EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 595 7751, Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431 and Marko Ruonala, Chief Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 522 8233, Prime Minister’s Office