On January 17th the government of Finland outlined Finland’s key goals for the next EU election period, i.e. for the years 2024 – 2029.

In accordance with the government program, the Finnish government’s EU Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s key EU political goals for the coming years. Finland’s key goals are meant to influence the European Council’s strategic program, which defines the Union’s political goals for the new five-year period. The leaders of the EU countries will decide on the program after the European Parliament elections in June. Finland will also promote its key goals from the Member States side and have to be taken as a vital part of new EU-commissions five-year program.

European Council will decide on the final strategic program after the European Parliament elections in June. It is therefore important, that Finland is already promoting its key goals, which it wants to see in the next European Commission work programme.

Finnish Forest Industry Federation welcomes government’s clear and well-focused goals, especially the goal for promoting clean transition and the bioeconomy and circular economy.

Finland’s key goals for the next EU election period are:

1. Strengthening Europe’s strategic competitiveness

The EU’s long-term strategic competitiveness is based on the further development of the Union’s own strengths and market-based solutions. A functioning internal market is a key starting point. In terms of economy and finance, it is important that each member country bears responsibility for the sustainability of its public finances.

2. Improving the overall security of Europe

The EU must be a stronger geopolitical actor. The Union’s crisis resilience needs to be strengthened – Finland’s overall security thinking supports this. Finland supports the deepening of defense cooperation and promotes, for example, a common market for defense equipment. Strong support for Ukraine must be continued. Strong external borders must be secured and instrumentalization of migration must be prevented.

3. Promoting clean transition and the bioeconomy and circular economy

Actions against climate change and enhancing biodiversity must be continued, taking into account the different conditions of the member countries. Clean transition is carried out cost-effectively with a technology-neutral approach. In energy efficiency, the emphasis should be on reducing emissions instead of limiting consumption.