Ministers for European affairs to prepare for March European Council

The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Tuesday 21 March. The meeting will focus mainly on preparations for the March European Council. The ministers will also discuss EU-UK relations and continue their annual rule of law dialogue. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.

Topics on the agenda at the European Council on 23–24 March include Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support to Ukraine, the EU’s competitiveness, the single market and the economy, and energy issues. 

Finland emphasises that the EU must continue and increase its strong political, economic, and military support and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The EU must consistently ramp up sanctions against Russia as its aggression continues. Finland considers it important that sanctions are implemented effectively and that strong measures are in place to prevent circumvention. Finland supports efforts to bring Russia and its representatives to justice for the illegal war of aggression and its impacts. 

In Finland’s view, fair competition, a well-functioning single market, active trade policy and the efficient use of existing EU resources form the foundation for the EU’s long-term competitiveness and play a key role in solving current and future challenges. Skills are needed to support the EU’s technological leadership and competitiveness on the global stage. Open and rules-based trade plays a key role in securing the EU’s competitiveness and in supporting the green transition. 

In Finland’s view, it is important to address the problems with the functioning of the energy market quickly at the EU level. At the same time, the EU must ensure that crisis measures do not create uncertainty around the implementation of clean energy investments and the functioning of the energy market.

“Finland and several other EU Member States have called for a long-term strategy to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and global influence. This strategy should be based on the EU’s strengths: fair competition, an improved single market, ambitious trade policy and effective cooperation with partners,” says Minister Tytti Tuppurainen.

The GAC will receive an update from the Commission regarding EU-UK relations, focusing on the agreement reached between the Commission and the Government of the United Kingdom on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. Finland welcomes the agreement on the implementation of the Protocol (also known as the Windsor Framework). The framework responds to the concrete concerns of stakeholders and businesses in Northern Ireland without compromising the unity of the EU single market and the functioning of the Customs Union. 

The GAC will continue its annual rule of law dialogue with discussions on the country-specific chapters for Slovakia, Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic in the Commission’s rule of law report. The General Affairs Council engages in regular dialogue on the rule of law situation in the Member States and best rule of law practices based on the Rule of Law Report and a uniform set of rules. These discussions are an essential part of the Union’s common rule of law policy.

“A hundred years ago, a newly independent Finland built its future on the rule of law. This work is still ongoing today, because the rule of law is a continuous project. The rule of law is built one decision at a time. Every step is important, as solidifying the rule of law is the only way we can strengthen our society, our mutual trust and our common Europe. At the meeting, I will present the measures we have taken during this government term to strengthen and develop the structures needed for the rule of law,” says Minister Tytti Tuppurainen.

In addition, the GAC will discuss the European Semester for 2023 based on a summary report of the Council’s activities prepared by the Presidency.

In the General Affairs Council (GAC), the EU Member States are primarily represented by their ministers for European affairs. The tasks of the GAC 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. Questions related to the rule of law are also an established part of the GAC’s agenda. 

Inquiries: Heli Siivola, Senior Specialist for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 576 7745 and Emilia Tervonen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 516 1035, Prime Minister’s Office