Prime Minister Orpo and EU Budget Commissioner Serafin meet in Helsinki

In their meeting on Thursday 3 April in Helsinki, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin discussed the EU’s next multiannual financial framework. Prime Minister Orpo highlighted several important issues for Finland during the discussion.

“Finland is working actively to ensure that our objectives for the EU’s next multiannual financial framework are achieved as well as possible. The Commission will be presenting its proposal in July,” Orpo said.

In his discussions with Commissioner Serafin, Prime Minister Orpo stressed the importance of keeping the overall level of the financial framework at a reasonable level and allocating expenditure to strategic priorities such as defence.

“It is in the EU’s interest that we channel our common funds more effectively towards strengthening defence and comprehensive security. Strong support for Ukraine is also essential over the longer term,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

Orpo also highlighted other key objectives for Finland, such as special support for regions at the EU’s eastern border.

Prime Minister Orpo and Commissioner Serafin also discussed the Commission’s new defence initiatives and the rule of law.

Commissioner Serafin’s visit to Finland will continue on Friday, when he will speak with Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand and meet with members of the Grand Committee and Finance Committee in Parliament.

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 50 322 9636, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office