PM promotes Finland’s EU policy priorities in Brussels

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Tuesday highlighted Finland’s key EU policy priorities in his meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, said a government press release.

The Premier also focused on EU issues during the discussion with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

The discussions between Orpo and von der Leyen focused mainly on the next Commission’s programme and the future commissioners’ portfolios.

“Finland is pleased with the new guidelines. They are in line with Finland’s EU policy priorities for the next five years”, said Orpo.

Finland’s main EU policy priorities are to strengthen Europe’s strategic competitiveness, improve comprehensive security in Europe and promote a clean transition, the bioeconomy and the circular economy.

Finland has worked hard to advocate for these issues in advance so that they will be included in the programmes of the Council and the Commission for the 2024–2029 parliamentary term.

Orpo and von der Leyen also discussed the division and contents of portfolios for the future commissioners.

The EC President will publish her proposal on these in the next few days.

In his discussions with Roberta Metsola, who will also continue as President of the European Parliament, Orpo stressed the importance of ensuring that the new Commission can begin its work as soon as possible given the current security policy situation.

The term of the current Commission will end in October.

Orpo also stressed the importance of continuing strong support to Ukraine in his meetings with both President von der Leyen and President Metsola.

“We can be even faster and more efficient. We need to help the Ukrainian energy sector quickly as winter approaches. Finland is calling for a swift decision on using frozen Russian Central Bank assets to finance a loan for Ukraine. We also support tightening the sanctions imposed on Russia and advancing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan,” Orpo added.