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EU affairs and the Finnish government The main responsibility for the preparation, monitoring and determination of Finland's positions in affairs relating to the European Union rests with the relevant ministries. Finland’s system for coordinating ...

5.3.2026 | The Finnish Government has sent the European Commission a list of concrete proposals that would simplify more than 40 pieces of EU legislation. The Government’s proposals focus especially on legislation that affects business and industry and that, if simplified, could reduce the administrative burden on companies. The Government put together the list of proposals to accelerate the simplification proc...

30.3.2026 | EU energy ministers will hold an informal video conference on Tuesday 31 March 2026 to formulate a common response to the effects of the Persian Gulf crisis on energy markets. Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will represent Finland at the meeting.

The aim of terminology work at the Prime Minister's Office is to harmonise the terms used in government texts, both in the national languages of Finland and in foreign languages, and to promote clear communication. This facilitates cooperation between branches of government and ensures that the same terms are used consistently across languages.

How the Government works The Government is an institution exercising the supreme executive power in Finland. It is a central part of Finland's political system. The Government is responsible for Finland's day-to-day administration and decision-mak...

22.4.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will attend an informal meeting of EU heads of state or government hosted by Cyprus, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting will take place in Lefkosia and Agia Napa on 23–24 April. Discussions at the meeting will focus on current geopolitical challenges and the EU’s multiannual financial framework, which will serve as the Union’s long-term budget for 2028–2034.

18.3.2026 | The EU heads of state and government will meet for the European Council in Brussels on Thursday 19 March. Discussions at the meeting will focus on recent developments in the Middle East, the situation in Ukraine, European competitiveness and the single market, defence and security, and the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2028−2034. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will represent Finland at the meeting.

20.3.2026 | The situation in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East and efforts to boost the EU’s competitiveness and deepen the single market featured prominently in the discussions at the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday 19 March.

16.3.2026 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Tuesday 17 March to discuss the EU’s next multiannual financial framework and continue preparations for the March European Council. The ministers will also agree on amendments to the European Election Act and review the progress of the 2026 European Semester. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

20.4.2026 | The Government has submitted a Europe communication to Parliament concerning the European Affordable Housing Plan published by the European Commission on 16 December 2025. The Europe communication describes the main content of the plan and presents Finland’s opinion regarding it. Finland recognises the importance of a well-functioning housing market but points out that challenges related to housing vary a great deal between Member States.

Progress of the government action plan to combat racism The government action plan to combat racism and promote equality implements the policies set out in the equality statement issued by the Government. The selected measures are based on an asse...

17.12.2025 | Finland, together with Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, has published a letter to the European Commission calling for new and innovative solutions to counter and prevent irregular migration to Europe.

19.12.2025 | In a meeting that began on Thursday 18 December, the EU leaders reached an agreement on significant additional funding for Ukraine. In line with the agreement, the European Council will provide a EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine for 2026 and 2027.

Data protection in the Prime Minister's Office Data Protection Officer Data Protection Officer Heidi Alajoki Prime Minister’s Office, Economy Unit [email protected] Controller Prime Minister’s Office, PO Box 23, 00023 Government Registry: [email p...

20.11.2025 | On 16 July, the European Commission presented a proposal for a new Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034. The proposal would significantly increase EU funding for home affairs. The Government informed Parliament of the proposal by submitting a Union communication on 20 November.

25.11.2025 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 27–28 November. The Council’s agenda includes vocational education and training, the European Education Area, the Erasmus+ programme, the importance of culture for democratic resilience, the AgoraEU programme, and democracy and transparency in sport. The Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026 project will also be presented at the meeting.

13.11.2025 | In its meeting on 13 November, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the European Commission’s proposal for the multiannual financial framework, which will serve as the Union’s long-term budget for 2028–2034. The ministerial committee on also outlined Finland’s positions three council meetings to be held next week.

25.1.2026 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Monday 26 January. The Council will discuss the European Democracy Shield, continue the rule of law dialogue and hear a presentation from the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU on the priorities of its programme. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

23.1.2026 | The European Commission presented proposals on 20 and 21 January 2026 for new cybersecurity regulation and the Digital Networks Act (DNA). The cybersecurity package includes a proposal to revise the Cybersecurity Act and to amend the cybersecurity regulation known as the Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS2 Directive).

4.11.2025 | On 3 November 2025, the European Commission announced that 61 projects had been selected for funding under the latest Innovation Fund call for net-zero technologies. The projects will receive a total of EUR 2.9 billion in support. Five Finnish projects are among those selected: NotNukeOne, SCOOP, MAGHYC, NEXT HYDROMET and SB-VARKAUS.