Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses multiannual financial framework

Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses multiannual financial framework

In its meeting on Friday 5 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the European Commission's proposal for the EU's next multiannual financial framework and the agendas for four upcoming council meetings.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs continued outlining Finland's positions on the European Commission's proposal for the multiannual financial framework, which will serve as the Union's long-term budget for 2028-2034. At this meeting, the ministerial committee formulated positions on two draft regulations:

• Proposal for a regulation on the Global Europe Facility
• Proposals for regulations on cohesion policy

The ministerial committee's Union communications on the proposed regulations will become public once they have been discussed in a government session.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs outlined Finland's positions for four council meetings taking place in the coming week:

• Justice and Home Affairs Council on 8-9 December
• Competitiveness Council (Internal Market, Industry, Research and Space) on 8-9 December
• Eurogroup on 11 December and ECOFIN on 12 December
• Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 11-12 December

The ministers responsible for home affairs aim to adopt general approaches on the proposal for a returns regulation and on the proposals for regulations related to establishing a list of safe countries of origin at Union level and applying the concept of safe third countries. The ministers will also discuss security at the Schengen area's external borders and the effects of the current geopolitical situation on the EU's internal security.

The justice ministers will discuss legal measures and accountability in connection with crimes committed in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The ministers will also approve conclusions on model provisions for EU criminal law. In addition, the ministers will receive an update on the way forward for a simplified application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and will discuss the role of extradition as a measure to combat organised crime.

The Competitiveness Council's discussions on internal market and industrial policy will focus on simplifying EU legislation, removing internal market barriers and addressing challenges in assessing the conformity of products sold through e-commerce and ensuring effective controls. Discussions on research and innovation will focus on the Horizon Europe Package. The ministers will also take note of a progress report on the EU Space Act.

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) will hear a presentation from the Commission on its 25 November assessment of Finland's and Germany's compliance with the EU deficit criterion. Based on the Commission's assessment, it is justified to initiate the excessive deficit procedure for Finland. Discussions will continue on the matter. The ECOFIN Council will also discuss the forthcoming single currency package, which includes a regulation on the legal tender status of cash and a legal framework for introducing the digital euro. Other topics of discussion will include the economic and financial impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Eurogroup will discuss the International Monetary Fund's assessment of euro area policies, including preliminary conclusions, the assessment of euro area Member States' draft budgetary plans and the current state of and outlook for euro area public finances, as well as the election of a new President of the Eurogroup.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will aim to reach a political agreement on proposals for strengthening fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and North Sea in 2026-2028 and in the Mediterranean and Black Sea in 2026. The ministers will also hold a policy debate on the post-2027 common agricultural policy (CAP) proposals related to innovation and simplification

Inquiries: Juuso Kilpinen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 322 9636, Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister's Office