Written procedure by the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs on 22–23 April 2015

The Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs decided, through a written procedure, on Finland's positions relating to the extraordinary meeting of the European Council focusing on the situation in the Mediterranean and migration on 23 April in Brussels.

Finland supports the plans presented by the European Commission aiming at saving lives and preventing human smuggling and trafficking.

Finland considers it central to reinforce the EU's joint operations coordinated by Frontex in the Mediterranean and develop them with a view to the long term. Finland is prepared to take active part in the activities in the future too. Finnish Border Guard patrol vessel and its crew are currently in the Mediterranean taking part in the Poseidon operation and a patrol aircraft will return to the area in May, now for the Triton operation in Italy.

For Finland, it is of key importance to focus on the reasons that result in people leaving their home countries, like extreme poverty, human rights violations, wars and conflicts. The EU needs to improve active cooperation with the countries of origin and transit and utilise the EU's comprehensive set of tools like those relating to the common foreign and security policy.

Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 315 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office