Marin, Merkel discuss EU recovery package over phone

Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Tuesday had a conversation over telephone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and discussed various issues including the recovery package proposed by the European Commission to deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The discussion focused on the extraordinary meeting of the European Council scheduled for 17–18 July, in which the EU leaders will try to reach an agreement on the Union’s next financial framework and new recovery instrument, said a government press release.

Marin and Merkel also discussed the priorities of the German presidency of the EU Council, which begins on 1 July.

In her conversation with the German chancellor, the prime minister shared Finland’s main views on the EU recovery instrument. When it comes to the new financial framework, the key issues for Finland are its moderate overall level, funding for rural development (Pillar II) and support for climate action, and the conditionality of EU funding, particularly with regard to the rule of law.

The recovery package under negotiation would consist of a revised multiannual financial framework, i.e., the long-term budget for 2021–2027, along with the new recovery instrument.

The European Commission presented its proposal for a recovery package at the end of May, and the members of the European Council exchanged views on the proposal in a video meeting on 19 June.

European Council President Charles Michel is leading the negotiations on the financial framework. He will prepare a modified proposal on the framework and the recovery instrument before the extraordinary meeting of the European Council in July.