Finland's EU policy

The basic stance of Finland’s EU policy is to further develop the European Union and to promote growth, stability and security in Europe. Finland is an active, pragmatic and results-oriented EU Member State.

Finland’s EU policy priorities are to promote common values, growth and competitiveness and effective regulation, to strengthen the EU’s external and internal security and to respond to migration.

Finland’s EU policy also underlines the importance of strengthening the Union’s resilience to crisis and developing its ability to both respond to and benefit from global trends, such as climate change and digitalisation.  

Current issues

Ministers for European affairs to prepare for February Special European Council

3.2.2023 13.51
The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Monday 6 February. The meeting will focus on preparations for the February Special European Council. The GAC will also discuss relations between the EU and the United Kingdom and receive an overview of Sweden’s priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the EU. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.

Prime Ministers of Finland and Sweden discuss EU issues and progress of NATO membership process

2.2.2023 16.56
Pääministerit Marin ja Kristersson seisovat vierekkäin, sivulla Suomen, Ruotsin ja EU:n liput
Photo: Ninni Andersson, regeringskansliet
Prime Minister Sanna Marin visited Stockholm at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on 2 February. Their discussions focused on the EU economy and competitiveness, other topical EU matters, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and Finland and Sweden’s joint NATO membership process.

Decision-making on highway classification to be streamlined and provisions to be laid down on maximum duration for permit-granting procedures for large TEN-T transport network projects

2.2.2023 14.10
On 2 February 2023, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic adopt the Act on permit-granting procedures and other administrative procedures for certain projects on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) that would implement the so-called Smart TEN-T Directive. In addition, the Government proposed amendments to be adopted on the Act on the Transport System and Highways as well as on the Railways Act.  The Act implementing the Smart TEN-T Directive is to enter into force on 10 August 2023 and the proposed legislative amendments on 7 February 2023.

More current issues »

Summary of the ‘We are Europe’ series of events

Summary of the ‘We are Europe’ series of events

In autumn 2021 and at the start of 2022, Finnish ministers toured Finland to listen to people’s ideas and hopes for the future of Europe.

Summary report

  • Finland in the European Union »

    According to Finland's EU policy outline, a stronger, more unified and fairer Union would best serve the interests of Finland and its citizens.

  • EU affairs and the Finnish government »

    Main responsibility for the preparation, monitoring and determination of Finland's position in affairs relating to the European Union rests with the relevant ministries.

  • EU climate package »

    It is the EU’s objective to be climate neutral by 2050. In July 2021, the European Commission presented the EU climate package, the so-called ‘Fit for 55 Package’, which will help the EU reach its emissions reduction target for 2030.

  • Information about Brexit »

    We have grouped together information about Brexit and the future EU-UK relationship. These pages offer information on the negotiation process and the withdrawal agreement.