Orpo for EU budget addressing new priorities

Finance Minister Petteri Orpo on Thursday said the EU budget should respond to new priorities and challenges such as migration, internal and external security, and defence.

Speaking at a seminar of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, the minister said the budget must aim at boosting economic growth, jobs and skills, said an official press release.

“We need more efficient use of our resources and we need a shift towards a more results-oriented EU budget that serves our citizens best,” said Orpo.

He said immigration from Africa to Europe is not going to slow down in the near future. Controlling immigration requires creating stability and jobs in the neighbouring countries of the EU, especially in Africa and the Middle East.

“This will require EU member states to have a common European asylum policy. We need efficient processing of asylum applications and integration of immigrants plus effective and credible return policy,” said the minister, adding that sufficient resources are also needed for immigration, border control, the police authorities, and the judicial system.

He said Brexit has forced the rest of the EU member states, the EU27, to rethink about the vision and mission of the EU after the UK has left.

“Against all the odds, Brexit has pulled us together,” said Orpo, adding that “Difficulties with Brexit have shown us how bad a choice it is to exit the EU. The future of the UK is unclear; investments and its trade relationships are on hold.”