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Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs of the new Government held its first session and outlined Finland’s positions for the upcoming Councils

Government Communications Department
Publication date 10.6.2019 13.33 | Published in English on 11.6.2019 at 15.16
Press release 299/2019

The first meeting of the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs of Prime Minister Rinne’s Government was held on Monday 10 June. On the agenda were the budget instrument for the euro area (also called the eurozone budget) and development of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

The budget instrument for the euro area and development of ESM will be discussed in the Eurogroup on 13 June. The Eurogroup will meet to prepare for the Euro Summit that will convene at Midsummer. The Ministerial Committee confirmed Finland’s earlier position that the budget instrument must be part of the EU’s financial framework and it must support the competitiveness and convergence of the Member States. Besides the development of the European Stability Mechanism ESM, the key issues include the decision-making procedures (emergency situations) of the arrangements for financial backstops under the Single Resolution Fund and possible debt relief procedures of the Member States.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the ECOFIN Council that will meet on 14 June. On the Agenda is the long-term climate strategy of the EU, as well as progress made in the Banking Union and in the implementation of the Action Plan concerning non-performing loans. A progress report on the financial transaction tax was also presented. The Council may adopt decisions relating to the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact (EGP) and recommendations concerning Spain, Romania and Hungary. 

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also outlined Finland’s positions for the following Councils:

  • Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council 13–14 June
  • Informal meeting of ministers responsible for urban development 13–14 June

The Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs will hold a debate on the horizontal aspects relating to the country-specific recommendations of the European Semester. At the Health Council the ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on combatting antimicrobial resistance. The ministers responsible for urban development will hold an informal meeting to discuss the experiences gained so far and future development prospects of the cooperation framework “Urban Agenda for the EU” launched by decisions of the ministerial meeting in 2016.

Members of the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs of Rinne’s Government

Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 319, Dimitri Qvintus, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 477 7362, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office

 
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