EU Energy Council adopts partial general approach on regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility

EU Energy Council adopts partial general approach on regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility

At the Energy Council meeting on 15 December 2025, Member States of the European Union adopted a partial general approach on the proposed regulation establishing Connecting Europe Facility for 2028-2034. Finland is in favour of the regulation's emphasis on military mobility.

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) aims to develop trans-European transport and energy networks. The proposed funding for transport and energy network investments totals EUR 72.25 billion in constant 2025 prices. Under this funding, EUR 45.75 billion is proposed for actions in the transport sector, and, of this allocation, the proposed share of military mobility would account for EUR 15.75 billion.

Cross-border connections more comprehensively covered in the partial general approach

In terms of funding, the proposal emphasises cross-border transport connections and military mobility. Finland welcomes the fact that cross-border connections are more comprehensively recognised in the partial general approach than in the European Commission's proposal.

In addition to the Umeå-Luleå-Oulu link and TEN-T ports proposed by the Commission, the indicative annex to the partial general approach mentions the Stockholm-Turku-Helsinki and Tallinn-Helsinki-Tampere connections. EU funding can also be applied for connections not listed in the annex. It is important for Finland that the regulation takes into account the country's specific conditions and its geographic location along the EU's eastern flank, where cross-border land connections with other Member States are limited.

- Rail Nordica and numerous other dual-use projects critical to Finland's security are already in the planning stage. "The general approach is positive for Finland. It is important that advocacy work continues to focus on projects that strengthen Finland's security, military mobility and security of supply. In particular, significant funding for Rail Nordica, the first cross-border project of military mobility, must be secured in 2028 as the new call for funding opens," says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

In the negotiations, Finland has emphasised the importance of military mobility. Funding for military mobility is proposed to increase nearly tenfold compared to the current financial period. Finland considers it essential that funding be directed to the most critical targets for European security and defence, especially to the countries along the eastern flank. Finland's key objective in military mobility is to secure future funding for the transition to the standard European track gauge.

What's next?

In the next financial period, transport infrastructure may also be eligible for financing from the Competitiveness Fund and regional partnership programmes, alongside the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). With regard to transport funding, it is important that the various instruments within the framework complement each other appropriately. Negotiations on the multiannual financial framework will continue.

The European Parliament will formulate its position on the regulation in 2026. The Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Commission will then continue the negotiations in trilogue meetings.

Inquiries:

Kaisa Kuukasjärvi, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 2012, [email protected]