Prime Minister Orpo in Berlin: the EU’s next financial framework should focus on the essentials

Prime Minister Orpo in Berlin: the EU's next financial framework should focus on the essentials

At the invitation of Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attended a meeting on 27 August in Berlin to discuss the preparation of the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034. The meeting was an opportunity for like-minded countries to formulate their positions to ensure that the next financial framework is balanced and well-prioritised.

Along with Federal Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Orpo, the informal lunch meeting was attended by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. Prime Minister of the Netherlands Rob Jetten and Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson took part in the discussion via video conference. After the meeting, the countries published a joint statement emphasising the need to modernise and reform the financial framework and keep its overall level affordable. The declaration stresses the need to allocate funding to the most important priorities, such as strategic competitiveness, defence and security.

"The size of the financial framework proposed by the Commission should be reduced, and no expenditure category should be excluded when considering where to seek reductions. We have to be able to prioritise funding appropriately in the next framework period. We have to do things more effectively so that we can invest in important new targets," said Prime Minister Orpo.

"The challenges posed by Finland's long border with Russia and our position as a net contributor to the EU budget should be taken into account in the overall solution for the framework," said Prime Minister Orpo.

The statement also highlights the principle that respect for the rule of law must be a fundamental condition for access to any EU funding.

"Strong safeguards related to respect for the rule of law are essential for us. EU taxpayers' money should only be available to those who respect these fundamental values," said Prime Minister Orpo.

The EU's strong support for Ukraine will continue to be a key issue during the next funding period.

"Supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's war of aggression is an investment in the future of Europe. The only acceptable outcome is a just and lasting peace," said Prime Minister Orpo.

The forthcoming financial framework will determine how much EU funding will be available in 2028-2034 and how the funds will be allocated. The Commission's proposal for the overall level of the financial framework amounts to EUR 1,893 billion, which is about 1.35 per cent of the EU's gross national income.

The Member States' negotiations on the next framework are currently underway. Adopting the framework requires a unanimous agreement among the Member States and the consent of an absolute majority of Members in the European Parliament.

Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 363, Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431 and Lauri Heikkinen, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 46 923 5090, Prime Minister's Office

The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected]