Finland's EU policy

Protecting of common values and the rule of law in the EU was the main theme at the informal meeting of justice ministers in Helsinki on 19 July.

The EU home affairs ministers met in Helsinki on 18 July to discuss internal security and migration. The agenda of this informal meeting also included a scenario-based discussion exercise on how to counter hybrid threats. This was the first exercise of its kind to be organised at ministerial level by Finland’s Presidency.

Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU and ministers from several EU Member States and the Schengen associated countries alongside the European Commission have discussed the need to set up a more predictable and efficient temporary solidarity mechanism to ensure the swift and dignified disembarkation of migrants rescued at sea.

The priorities for Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union are to strengthen common values and the rule of law, to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action and to protect the security of citizens comprehensively. Finland’s Presidency Programme was published on Wednesday 26 June.