PM, EU Council president discuss MFF

Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday met European Council President Charles Michel in Brussels to discuss Finland’s key positions for negotiations on the multiannual financial framework (MFF).

As the leader of the MFF negotiations, the council president holds bilateral meetings with the EU heads of state or government ahead of the special European Council meeting in Brussels on 20 February where an agreement should be reached on the multiannual financial framework, i.e. the long-term budget of the EU for 2021–2027.

These bilateral preparatory talks are based on a draft MFF prepared by Finland during its presidency of the Council of the EU (negotiating box), said a government press release.

The release said the draft does not reflect Finland’s national objectives and interests but takes the positions of all member states equally into account.

“The proposal prepared by the Finnish Presidency provides a good basis to continue the negotiations. For Finland it is important that the financial frameworks support the transition towards a low-carbon EU,” said Marin.

Important issues for Finland in the future negotiations include the level of funding for rural development, supporting research and innovation, and linking EU funds to compliance with the rule of law.

Prime Minister Marin also met Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen.

The topics discussed with EC Vice-President Timmermans were the European Green Deal and EU climate objectives.

“We talked about the commission’s proposal on the European Green Deal. Now we should find the means to ensure a fair and just transition into a low-carbon economy that will curb climate warming,” said the prime minister.