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Minister for European Affairs Tuppurainen to attend General Affairs Council

Government Communications Department
Publication date 9.12.2019 19.57
Press release 651/2019

Finland’s Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen will attend the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels on Tuesday 10 December 2019. She will chair this meeting with a focus on the preparations for the December European Council, the proposal concerning the multiannual financial framework (MFF) prepared by the Finnish Presidency, and rule of law issues.

Finland is going to present the Negotiating Box, or a draft agreement on the MFF (2021–2027), drawn up under the responsibility of the Presidency and made public on 5 December 2019. The proposed budget focuses on the EU’s new priorities, such as climate action, research and innovation, and migration management. It also secures funding for a reformed agricultural policy and for a cohesion policy that supports growth. The main elements of the multiannual financial framework will subsequently be discussed by the December European Council. Following that, the negotiations will resume under the leadership of the President of the European Council Charles Michel, who ultimately determines when agreement on the MFF will be sought in the European Council.

“The EU needs a modern financial framework that will meet the current and future challenges. Finland has drafted this proposal in consultation with the member states, seeking an appropriate balance. We must find a compromise that will strengthen the EU’s capacity to act without increasing unreasonably the burden of payment for the member states,” Minister Tuppurainen says.

In preparation for the upcoming European Council meeting on 12-13 December, the GAC will examine the draft conclusions of the European Council, whose main topics will be climate change and the multiannual financial framework.

There will be a hearing with Hungary on its compliance with the EU’s values. The hearing will focus on three themes: academic freedom; freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary and of other institutions; and the rights of judges. The Council will also receive an update of the rule of law situation in Poland.

The ministers will moreover exchange views on the Commission’s work programme for 2020 and the multiannual programming of legislative work. After the debate, the Finnish Presidency will send a summary of the Council’s views in a letter to the Commission.

In the General Affairs Council, the EU Member States are primarily represented by their own European affairs ministers.  Its tasks include preparations for the European Council meetings. THE GAC is also responsible for a number of cross-cutting policy areas, including negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and EU enlargement. Issues relating to the rule of law are also an established part of the Council’s agenda. The General Affairs Council meetings during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU (1 July–31 December 2019) are chaired by Minister Tuppurainen.

Inquiries: Heli Siivola, Senior Specialist for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 597, and Matti Niemi, Special Adviser, tel. +358 45 679 1717, Prime Minister’s Office