Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses upcoming European Political Community meeting and informal European Council

Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses upcoming European Political Community meeting and informal European Council

It its meeting on Wednesday 6 November, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland's positions for the informal meeting of the members of the European Council on 8 November and the meeting of the European Political Community to be held in connection with it on 7 November. The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the EU's multiannual financial framework and migration issues.

In their informal meeting on 8 November in Budapest, the EU heads of state and government will focus on competitiveness. In Finland's view, the EU's strategic competitiveness should be based on further developing the Union's strengths and implementing market-based solutions. A well-functioning internal market based on free movement and an effective state aid and competition policy play a key role. It is also important to deepen the Europe-wide capital markets union and to create the conditions for open, rules-based and responsible international trade. The best way to boost competitiveness is through renewal, which requires stronger investments in research, development, innovation and digitalisation. Finland supports efforts to strengthen and develop the European defence industry. More should also be done to promote clean energy, as well as the bioeconomy and circular economy, resource efficiency and the development of carbon-neutral materials. At the same time, it is important to improve the availability of skilled labour and develop and streamline EU regulation.

The fifth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) will take place in Budapest on 7 November, the day before the informal European Council. The meeting's plenary session will focus on security challenges in Europe, while the small group sessions will discuss migration and economic security. In Finland's view, it is useful for the European heads of state or government to engage in closer dialogue and cooperation. An important priority for Finland at the meeting is strengthening Europe-wide support for Ukraine.

In addition, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs received an update on the status of advance preparations for the EU's next multiannual financial framework. In connection with this, the Ministerial Committee outlined its positions for exercising influence on the EU's future research and innovation policy and investment guarantee facilities.

As the last item of the meeting, Prime Minister Orpo informed the members of the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs of the discussion on migration at the European Council on 17 October. The October European Council adopted conclusions on migration with exceptionally strong wording on instrumentalised migration. In its conclusions, the European Council expressed solidarity with countries facing instrumentalisation and noted that exceptional situations require appropriate measures.

Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 50 433 4533, Jari Luoto, Director General, EU Affairs Department, tel. +358 50 468 5949, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister's Office