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19.6.2026 | EU heads of state or government urged Russia to engage in negotiations leading to a lasting peace as the European Council met in Brussels on 18 and 19 June. Leaders also focused in particular on global economic challenges, the situation in the Middle East and the EU’s next multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the meeting.

3.7.2026 | In its meeting on 3 July, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs specified Finland’s positions on the overall level of the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, new own resources and key issues for the negotiations. The ministerial committee also outlined Finland’s positions for three upcoming council meetings.

17.6.2026 | On Wednesday 17 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the European Council meeting at the end of this week. The Ministerial Committee also discussed ways to use the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support Ukraine, Commission Communication on fertilisers and reform of the merger control rules.

15.6.2026 | The EU General Affairs Council will meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday 16 June. The main items on the agenda include the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 and preparations for the June European Council. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

8.6.2026 | On 9 June 2026, in connection with the EU Transport Council meeting, Finland joined a Joint Declaration of Intent by Member States regarding large-scale cross-border testbeds for autonomous vehicles. The aim is to promote the testing of automated driving systems in the EU.

8.5.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s EU policy speech on Friday 8 May 2026 Prime Minister's Office Publication date 8.5.2026 14.07 | Published in English on 11.5.2026 at 9.42 Type: Speech (Check against delivery) Dear friends, dear students, Happy Europe...

24.4.2026 | The informal meeting of heads of state or government in Cyprus on 23–24 April focused on the current geopolitical situation and the proposal for the EU’s next multiannual financial framework.

27.3.2026 | At the presidential session on Friday 27 March, the President of the Republic appointed the following persons to serve as heads of missions, starting on 1 September 2026: Pekka Kaihilahti, Finland’s Embassy in Budapest; Juha Niemi, Finland’s Consulate General in Hong Kong; and Joonas Heiskanen, Finland’s Consulate General in Shanghai.

29.4.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will represent Finland at the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) to be held in the Armenian capital on Monday 4 May. The theme of the summit is Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe. Along with the heads of state or government of the countries involved in the EPC, representatives of EU institutions and the secretaries-general of NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe have been invited to the summit.

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.

23.9.2024 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet on Tuesday 24 September in Brussels. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting. Items on the agenda include the rule of law in the EU, the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and preparations for the October meeting of the European Council.

18.3.2025 | 7th February 2025 His Excellency Donald Tusk Prime Minister of Poland His Excellency António Costa President of the European Council Her Excellency Nadia Calviño President of the European Investment Bank Joint Letter by Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria,...

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.

20.10.2025 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday 21 October. Topics on the agenda will include the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034, preparations for the October European Council, respect for the EU’s values in Hungary and measures to simplify EU regulation. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

25.11.2025 | Finland does not meet the EU’s criteria for public deficit, according to the European Commission. The Commission is considering proposing that the EU open an excessive deficit procedure for Finland.

2.12.2025 | Finland has ranked 8th in the Gender Equality Index for the European Union (EU). The Index measured gender equality in various domains, such as work, health and power. The data for the most recent Index is mainly from 2023 and 2024.

27.5.2025 | We are deeply concerned by recent legislative and constitutional amendments infringing on the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ persons which were adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on 18 March and 14 April 2025 following other anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation already introduced in previous years.

26.5.2025 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet on Tuesday 27 May in Brussels. Discussions at the meeting will focus on the simplification of the carbon border adjustment mechanism and preparations for the June European Council. In addition, the GAC will continue its annual rule of law dialogue and hold a hearing on respect for EU values in Hungary. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

17.10.2025 | EU energy ministers will meet in Luxembourg on 20 October 2025. In the meeting, the aim is to approve the Council's general approach on the RePowerEU regulation to gradually phase out natural gas imports from Russia. The other main item on the agenda is to discuss the role of electrification as a driver of the EU’s competitive and clean transition. Finland will be represented at the meeting by the Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala.

17.10.2025 | The Rescue Borealis exercise, conducted in Finland between August and October 2025, brought together around 700 professionals from healthcare, rescue services and other security authorities from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Germany. This multi-agency exercise, which was mainly funded by the European Commission and focused on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats (CBRN), was reportedly the largest of its kind in Europe in recent years.