PM to meet with EC President in Brussels

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will leave Finland for Brussels on Tuesday, said an official press release.

Orpo will meet with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

Orpo and von der Leyen will discuss the new Commission’s programme based on the political guidelines presented by von der Leyen in her speech to the European Parliament in July.

The Premier will highlight the most important EU policy priorities for Finland: strengthening Europe’s strategic competitiveness, improving comprehensive security in Europe, and promoting a clean transition, the bioeconomy and the circular economy.

“President Ursula von der Leyen is currently preparing the programme for her new Commission, which includes a proposal for the commissioners and their portfolios. Finland has been working systematically to ensure that the most important issues for us are highlighted in the Commission’s next five-year programme,” said Orpo.

Orpo has already met with President von der Leyen three times this year outside of the European Council meetings: twice in Finland and once in Stockholm.

The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s policy priorities for the 2024–2029 EU parliamentary term back in January.

Finland has been active and systematic in pursuing its policy priorities in both the Council’s and the Commission’s programmes.

Finland’s advocacy proved successful when the Council agreed on its strategic agenda, which defines the Union’s political objectives for 2024–2029, this past June.

Finland has continued its active work to influence the future Commission’s programme. The term of the current Commission will end on 31 October