Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses support for Ukraine and strengthening of EU defence
At its meeting on 29 May, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed supporting Ukraine on the path to a just and lasting peace, strengthening the EU’s defence within the framework of the Permanent Structured Cooperation and promoting energy efficiency.
Supporting Ukraine is one of three priorities of the Government for influencing EU policy in 2026. The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs had a comprehensive exchange of views on supporting Ukraine and fleshed out Finland’s positions for a government report to Parliament on Europe.
In line with the Government Programme, Finland is strongly committed to supporting Ukraine and its reconstruction and remains open to various financing solutions in support of Ukraine. Finland firmly supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Finland emphasises that the EU must continue and increase its strong political, economic, and military support as well as material and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
The EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a mechanism for defence cooperation that allows willing Member States to deepen their cooperation in crisis management, military capabilities and defence materiel development.
The Member States participating in PESCO have undertaken binding commitments that outline both the course of defence cooperation in the EU and Member States’ investments in their own defence for the benefit of European defence. These commitments and their implementation play a central role in strengthening the defence of EU Member States and in improving European cooperation.
It is important for Finland that Member States uphold their legally binding commitments within PESCO. Finland stresses that PESCO implementation should improve EU and NATO member states’ ability to act in the north.
The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discussed Finland’s position on the promotion of energy efficiency. The European Commission has announced that it will submit a proposal for an energy efficiency framework for the coming decade at the end of 2026.
Finland’s positions on the EU’s post-2030 energy and climate framework have been formulated through government reports on Europe (E 49/2023 and E 10/2024) submitted to Parliament in November 2023 and November 2024, respectively.
In addition, the ministerial committee outlined Finland’s positions for two upcoming meetings:
- Justice and Home Affairs Council 4–5 June
- Informal meeting of ministers responsible for cohesion policy 4–5 June
The home affairs ministers will hold their regular discussion on the overall situation in the Schengen area. They will also discuss the future legal status of displaced persons from Ukraine and hold a debate on the external dimension of migration, with a focus on cooperation with Somalia. The Council is expected to approve the implementation framework of the EU Drugs Strategy.
The home affairs ministers are expected to agree on a partial general approach to a new Justice Programme for 2028–2034. The ministers will also receive updates on the state of play on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and on legal measures and accountability efforts for crimes committed in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The informal meeting of ministers responsible for cohesion policy will reflect on the role of cohesion policy in providing the necessary incentives, growth prospects and employment opportunities that enable European citizens to stay, prosper and build a future in their place of origin. The ministers will also exchange views on the specific challenges faced by island regions in light of the forthcoming EU Strategy for islands.
Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 363, Tuuli-Maaria Aalto, Director of Unit, tel. +358 295 160 670, and Lauri Heikkinen, Senior Communications Specialist, tel. +358 469 235 090, Prime Minister’s Office