Prime Minister Orpo to represent Finland at Budapest meetings

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.

The fifth meeting of the European Political Community will focus on Europe's security challenges. The meeting coincides with the presidential election in the United States. At the same time, Russia's war of aggression is in its third year, and the situation in the Middle East has escalated further.

"It is particularly important that Europe intensify its continued support for Ukraine. Our support for Ukraine has a direct link to comprehensive security throughout Europe," says Prime Minister Orpo.

In addition to the plenary session, the European leaders will discuss economic security and migration in small groups. Prime Minister Orpo will take part in the small group discussion on economic security. The leaders will also have time for bilateral discussions in connection with the meeting.

The European Political Community is an informal forum for discussion between of European heads of state or government. Representatives of the EU institutions have also been invited to the meeting, along with the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe and NATO.

The main theme of the informal European Council on Friday 8 November will be the European Union's competitiveness. The EU leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration in connection with the meeting.

The discussion will begin with an address by Mario Draghi, the former prime minister of Italy and former president of the European Central Bank, who will present his report on the future of European competitiveness. The leaders will also discuss the report by Enrico Letta on the future of the single market. President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde will also be in attendance.

In addition, the EU leaders' agenda includes topical issues such as relations between the EU and the United States and the situation in Georgia.

Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister in European Affairs, tel. +358 40 523 5768, Marja Koskela, Diplomatic Adviser, tel. +358 295 160 978, Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 50 433 4533 and Marko Ruonala, Project Manager (Communications), tel. +358 50 522 8233, Prime Minister's Office.