Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses ReArm Europe Plan to strengthen defence
On Friday 11 April, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the ReArm Europe Plan, measures to simplify EU regulation, the state aid framework in the Clean Industrial Deal and the ‘stop-the-clock’ proposal, which is part of the Commission’s Omnibus I package.
The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs formulated Finland’s general positions on the ReArm Europe Plan. Finland welcomes the Commission’s plan to strengthen European defence in the exceptional security situation. In strengthening European defence, it is essential to target support specifically at countries on the eastern frontline. Finland supports the proposal for the exceptional, temporary Security Action for Europe (SAFE) financial instrument. Finland emphasises the temporary nature of the proposed instrument and the need to allocate funding to the most critical capability areas. Based on Finland’s overall interests, it could be appropriate for Finland to use proposed instrument to finance defence procurement. In Finland’s view, the fixed-term, coordinated activation of national escape clauses in line with the EU fiscal policy rules is an appropriate approach to increasing the defence expenditure of the Member States with due regard for debt sustainability. Finland welcomes the Commission’s proposals to give the Member States more flexibility in the use of cohesion policy funds for defence investments. Separate reports will be drawn up on the legislative proposals and communications included in the ReArm Europe Plan.
In line with the Government Programme, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs approved a Europe communication to be sent to Parliament on one of the Government’s key priorities for exerting influence in the EU: simplifying EU legislation. Finland wants to see lighter and better EU regulation. Finland supports the Commission’s goal of simplifying regulation and lightening the administrative burden. The work must be consistent over the long term, and it requires close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission.
The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs outlined its position on the Commission’s proposal for a new state aid framework for the Clean Industrial Deal. The EU state aid rules have been made more flexible due to the war in Ukraine. Finland’s position is that state aid should not distort competition in the single market and that state aid policy should be based on factual assessments. It is important to return the EU state aid rules to the state they were in before the crises as soon as possible.
The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also outlined Finland’s positive stance on the ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism, which is part of the Commission’s Omnibus I proposal to simplify EU legislation in the field of sustainability.
Inquiries: 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