Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses European Political Community Summit

Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses European Political Community Summit

In its meeting on Wednesday 29 April, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discussed the issues on the agenda for the European Political Community (EPC) Summit, temporary protection for Ukrainians and the revision of the EU emissions trading system. The Ministerial Committee also outlined Finland's positions for two council meetings taking place next week.

The eighth summit of the European Political Community will be held on Monday 4 May in the Armenian capital of Yerevan. The theme of the summit is Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe. In Finland's view, it is useful for the European heads of state or government to engage in closer dialogue and cooperation. An important priority for Finland at this summit, as in previous meetings, is strengthening Europe-wide support for Ukraine.

It its meeting, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs further specified its positions for exerting influence on the revision of the EU emissions trading system. The European Commission is expected to submit its proposal for updating the EU emissions trading directive with respect to the general emissions trading system in July.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed Finland's positions for exerting influence related to temporary protection for people who have fled the war in Ukraine.

In addition, the ministerial committee outlined Finland's positions for two upcoming meetings:

• Eurogroup (4 May) and ECOFIN (5 May)
• Informal meeting of agriculture and fisheries ministers (4-5 May)

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council will focus on promoting the integration and supervision of financial markets. The ministers will also exchange views on the economic and financial impact of Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine and discuss the economic consequences of EU legislation.

The Eurogroup will receive briefings from ECB Banking Supervision the EU's Single Resolution Board as part of its regular consultations. In its extended composition, the Eurogroup will discuss topics such as the effects of the crisis in the Middle East on the EU economy and the progress made on the digital finance workstream.

The informal meeting of agriculture ministers will focus on measures to manage climate risks facing the agriculture sector in the EU. The fisheries ministers, for their part, will discuss the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy.

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 Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister's Office