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9.2.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will travel to Belgium this week to attend an informal meeting of EU leaders. He will also visit the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

16.12.2025 | In its meeting on Tuesday 16 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the European Council and the EU-Western Balkans summit taking place this week. The ministerial committee also discussed support for Ukraine and the use of frozen Russian assets to finance a reparations loan for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

19.7.2025 | The European Union has adopted its 18th package of sanctions as a response to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its lack of willingness to negotiate for a lasting peace. The EU expands its sanctions especially to target the energy and financial sectors and Russia’s shadow fleet and to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. The EU lowers the oil price cap. In addition, the EU tightens its sanctions against Belarus.

31.1.2025 | In its meeting on Friday 31 January, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the upcoming informal EU leaders’ retreat. The Ministerial Committee also discussed ways to exercise influence on the future of EU defence and outlined Finland’s positions for the informal meeting of competitiveness and trade ministers.

5.6.2025 | The EU Arctic Forum, to be held at Levi, Lapland, on 26–27 June 2025, gives European Arctic actors an opportunity to discuss the future of Arctic cooperation at its turning point.

18.6.2025 | In its meeting on Wednesday 18 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions the EU single market strategy and the proposal for a handling fee for goods ordered from outside the EU. The Ministerial Committee also discussed Finland’s positions on the 18th sanctions package currently under preparation and the review of the EU Emissions Trading Directive.

19.6.2024 | In its meeting on Wednesday 19 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the progress of Finland’s efforts to influence EU policy and ways to increase the number of Finns working in EU institutions. The Ministerial Committee also discussed the Union’s enlargement prospects and outlined Finland’s positions for upcoming meetings.

5.11.2025 | Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will visit Vienna on 5–6 November. The programme for his visit will include meetings with Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Claudia Plakolm and the EU Affairs Committee of the Austrian Parliament, as well as a discussion event marking the 30th anniversary of Finland’s and Austria’s EU membership.

4.10.2024 | The Cabinet Committee on EU Affairs has formulated the position of Finland on using immobilised Russian Central Bank assets to support Ukraine, and on establishing a cooperation mechanism for loans to Ukraine and granting macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.

7.7.2023 | On Friday 7 July, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined its positions on the mid-term review of the EU's multiannual financial framework, the reform of the EU fiscal policy framework and the development of the bank crisis management and deposit insurance (CMDI) framework.

9.12.2021 | At its meeting on Thursday 9 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for next week’s European Council, Euro Summit and Eastern Partnership Summit.

28.6.2024 | At its meeting in Brussels on 27–28 June, the European Council decided on appointments to three high-level roles in EU institutions. The Council proposed that Ursula von der Leyen from Germany continue as President of the Commission, selected Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the candidate for High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and elected former Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa President of the European Council.

22.6.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the European Council in Brussels on 23–24 June, the meeting of the EU and Western Balkan leaders on 23 June, and the Euro Summit on 24 June. 

23.5.2022 | Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko will represent Finland in the meeting of EU and euro area finance ministers in Brussels on 23–24 March.

14.12.2021 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the Eastern Partnership summit on Wednesday 15 December and the European Council meeting and Euro Summit on Thursday 16 December in Brussels.

19.1.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a proposal for an act on the protection of infrastructure critical to society and on the improvement of resilience. The legislative project will enhance national security and the resilience of society.

13.12.2019 | Meeting in Brussels on Friday 13 December, the Euro Summit of the EU27 leaders discussed further work on the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union. The Euro Summit tasked the finance ministers with continuing the work on strengthening the banking union, finalising the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) package of reforms, and establishing a Budgetary Instrument for Convergence and Competitiveness (BICC) for the euro area in the context of the multiannual financial framework (MFF).

23.6.2023 | The European Union introduces significant new instruments in its eleventh package of restrictive measures against Russia to prevent circumvention and evasion of sanctions, particularly through third countries. These instruments include several facilities for targeting sanctions against parties that circumvent sanctions and assist in such circumvention. Export bans, bans on transit through Russia and individual sanctions lists are expanded.

6.11.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will represent Finland at two meetings hosted by the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Budapest on 7–8 November. Leaders from across Europe will convene for the meeting of the European Political Community on Thursday, and the European Council will hold an informal meeting on Friday. The main themes on the agenda are European security and the EU’s competitiveness.

27.8.2024 | Speech by Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand at the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki on 27 August 2024. Check against delivery.