The Finnish forest industry welcomes President von der Leyen’s call for a united and resilient Europe. At a time when fragmentation is increasing at every level, Europe faces a new geopolitical reality marked by fierce economic competition and growing security challenges. As the President underlined, Europe is in a fight for our future, and this requires stronger self-sufficiency and reduced external dependencies. These dynamics make both the EU and European businesses more exposed to the pressures of intensifying geopolitical competition.
In the midst of this uncertainty, it is essential that the European Union avoids creating unnecessary technical barriers to trade. We strongly support the President’s call to make business in Europe easier by reducing administrative burdens, for example through omnibus regulations.
We welcome the Commission’s focus over the past year on competitiveness, decarbonisation and affordable energy. Initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan provide valuable support to energy-intensive industries like ours, helping maintain Europe’s industrial base while advancing the clean transition. We particularly welcome the proposed Future Competitiveness Fund to secure major investments in clean tech, as well as the scaling up of the Europe Fund for critical technologies. These measures are vital for strengthening Europe’s leadership and independence in the global race for green innovation.
Wood-based solutions like pulp, paper, textiles, construction materials and bioenergy are at the forefront of circular production and support the shift away from fossils. We share the President’s determination to phase out fossil fuels quicker. By replacing fossil-based inputs with sustainable, circular alternatives, the forest industry helps the EU meet its climate targets while strengthening the competitiveness of Europe’s industrial base. Ensuring the long-term availability of sustainable wood-based raw materials is essential, which requires coherent policies that support active forest management and secure forest regeneration post-harvest. A cumulative assessment of existing regulations and careful implementation of EU laws must guide future measures to maintain a positive biomass balance while preserving biodiversity and carbon sinks.
Looking ahead, we hope to see continued progress in advancing the bioeconomy and circular economy including through the upcoming Bioeconomy Strategy and Biotech Act. We fully endorse the Commission’s commitment to upholding Europe’s environmental and climate goals and ambition to move forward with the Circular Economy Act. This transformation is essential not only for achieving climate goals but also for Europe’s independence, competitiveness, and long-term resilience. With the right policy support, our sector can deliver sustainable and circular solutions that drive decarbonisation and strengthen Europe’s future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders to achieve the EU’s shared objectives.
Wishing you peace and continued progress in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Kaisu Karvala, Director, Permanent EU Representative
