Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses proposal for EU regulation on combating sexual violence against children

In its meeting on Friday 29 August, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the regulation aimed at preventing and combating sexual violence against children and on the European Climate Law.

The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU has made a new compromise proposal on the Commission’s 2022 proposal for a regulation to prevent and combat sexual violence against children (the CSAM regulation). The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs elaborated on its previous positions and noted that Finland still considers it very important to establish an EU-level legal framework to improve the detection, reporting and elimination of sexual violence against children in the EU. However, Finland cannot support the most recent compromise proposal because it contains a detection order that has been found problematic from a constitutional standpoint.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also outlined Finland’s position on the Commission’s July proposal to amend the European Climate Law. The aim of the proposal is to set a Union-wide climate target for 2040 to ensure that the 2050 climate neutrality target can be achieved. The Commission proposes a net emission reduction target of 90 per cent for 2040. Finland’s position on the Commission’s proposal will be made public after the government session.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the following two informal ministerial meetings:

• Informal meeting of ministers for European affairs on 1–2 September
• Informal meeting of energy ministers on 4–5 September

The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU will host the informal meeting of European affairs ministers in Copenhagen. Discussions at the meeting will focus on EU enlargement, strengthening the rule of law in the Union, and internal reforms within the EU.

The informal meeting of energy ministers will also take place in Copenhagen. Discussions will focus on the EU’s energy system after 2030, among other themes.

Inquiries: Juuso Kilpinen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 322 9636, 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