Finland's EU policy
The European Union is Finland’s most important political and economic frame of reference and community of values. The basic stance of Finland’s EU policy is to further develop the European Union and to promote growth, stability and security in Europe. Finland is an active, pragmatic and results-oriented EU Member State.
Finland’s EU policy priorities are to promote common values, growth and competitiveness and effective regulation, to strengthen the EU’s external and internal security and to respond to migration.
Finland’s EU policy also underlines the importance of strengthening the Union’s resilience to crisis and developing its ability to both respond to and benefit from global trends, such as climate change and digitalisation.
Finland in the European Union
Finland joined the European Union on 1 January 1995. Finland is now one of the 27 EU Member States. Finland has 14 representatives in the European Parliament. The ministers in the Finnish Government are also part of the Council of the European Union. Finland has a representative in the European Commission as well.
When it comes to EU policy, Finland wants to see a globally strong and well-functioning European Union that promotes the security, wellbeing and economic interests of its Member States and citizens. Finland is an active, reliable and solution-oriented Member State that works constructively and proactively and takes initiative to advance its objectives.
Finland wants the EU to play big on big issues and small on small issues. Finland expects the Union to respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, meaning that decisions must be made as close to citizens as possible. Finland advocates for a clear division of competences between the Union and the Member States.