EU must decide long-term climate strategy: PM

Prime Minister Antti Rinne on Monday met the incoming European Council President Charles Michel and the next European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels and discussed various issues including climate action of the European Union and the EU’s next multiannual financial framework, said a government press release.

“I had very good talks with the incoming presidents of the European Council and Commission. We agreed on measures by which we can jointly boost climate action in the EU as effectively as possible. The EU must soon decide on a long-term climate strategy and strive for climate neutrality by 2050,” the prime minister said.

“Transition to a green economy must take place in a way that is socially fair and just, as also pointed out by the October European Council. The Finnish presidency remains committed to working hard so that the EU countries could find a common understanding, and that it would be economically feasible for all member states to switch to low-carbon production as soon as possible,” said Rinne.

Climate action of the EU is on the agenda of the December European Council when EU leaders will also continue with the negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework, i.e. the long-term budget of the EU. As the president of the Council of the EU, Finland has made significant efforts to find an agreement on the financial framework within the timetable set by the European Council.

“We will submit the draft agreement put together by the Finnish Presidency, the negotiating box, before the December summit. The final negotiations will be based on this draft, which contains a proposal on both the overall level and a large number of details. The timetable will be decided by the incoming President Charles Michel who will take office on 1 December,” Rinne said.

The prime minister also met the Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and the Executive Vice President-designate of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis.

The main topic in these discussions was the new Commission’s work programme. At the meeting with Urpilainen, the focus was also on enhancing and diversifying cooperation between the EU and Africa, while Rinne and Commissioner Dombrovskis also talked about the development of the European banking union and financial support for sustainable growth that promotes climate action.