Finland outlines a crisis-resilient EU

The Report on European Union Policy emphasised the need to strengthen the EU’s resilience to crisis in all sectors.

The Government Report on EU Policy was adopted at the government’s plenary session held on Thursday, after which it was submitted to Parliament, said an official press release.

The report is strongly based on the EU’s common values and on the Government Programme.

The report outlines Finland’s EU policy for the coming years.

“Resilience to crisis is a cross-cutting theme in the report. The government wants to strengthen the EU as a security community. The EU must reinforce its resilience to crisis in all policy areas,” said Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen.

The Report on EU Policy emphasises the importance of the EU’s common values and equality.

Democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental and human rights will continue to form the basis for all activities of the union.

The report also outlines Finland’s approach to the topical discussion on the EU’s strategic autonomy. The government stresses that this must not mean turning inwards or opting for protectionism. Instead, strategic autonomy must mean developing the EU’s strengths, participating in fair competition, promoting the EU’s values and interests with greater determination, and assuming our responsibility in international cooperation.

“Finland wants to see a more resilient EMU that strengthens the EU member states’ responsibility for their finances, simplifies fiscal policy rules, and improves economic policy coordination through the European Semester. Finland is open to initiatives to tackle harmful tax competition and tax evasion,” said Tuppurainen.

“Finland aims to make the EU the most competitive and socially integrated climate-neutral economy in the world. We will continue to work as a cooperative member state, actively seeking common solutions that create national and European added value while promoting openness,” added Tuppurainen.