Finland supports EU efforts to contain COVID

Finland supports the EU’s strong joint efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, such as coordinated testing and quarantine practices and mutual recognition of tests, said an official press release.

At the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs on Wednesday, Finland viewed that it is important to ensure that the EU’s actions do not restrict the ability of a member state to implement restrictions differing from those in place in other member states, if this is necessary in order to safeguard the functioning of public health and society.

The ministerial committee discussed Finland’s positions leading up to the December European Council (10–11 December) and the Euro Summit (11 December).

The agenda of the European Council includes the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security issues, and external relations.

The European Council may also discuss the recovery package agreed on at the July European Council, with a particular focus on the rule of law mechanism connected to it. The discussion may also address the state of negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK.

Finland supports heightening the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction target from at least 40 per cent to at least 55 per cent compared to the 1990 levels. This objective should be achieved primarily by reducing emissions. The target must be in line with the climate neutrality target agreed for 2050.

In Finland’s view, in order to safeguard citizens, it is important to develop the capacity of the authorities to respond to terrorism and other changing threats to internal security in the EU, while also respecting fundamental and human rights.

On the topic of external relations, the European Council will discuss the relationship between the EU and Turkey and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The European Council will also discuss the relationship between the EU and the USA and will assess the need to continue the restrictive measures imposed in response to Russia’s destabilising actions in Ukraine.