Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Strand meets EU Commissioner for Enlargement in Helsinki

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Strand meets EU Commissioner for Enlargement in Helsinki

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand met European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Helsinki on Friday 18 September.

The topics of discussion included the prospects for the EU's enlargement policy and the accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Negotiations on the fundamentals and external relations clusters with Ukraine and Moldova were opened in summer 2026.

Finland considers it important that progress in the accession process should depend on each country's implementation of the necessary reforms. Finland places particular emphasis on reforms concerning democracy and the rule of law and on measures to combat corruption.

"Enlargement has returned to the centre of the European agenda"

Minister Strand and Commissioner Kos also spoke at a seminar held on Friday morning at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to mark the 30th anniversary of the European Commission's TAIEX programme. Through the programme, Finnish public authorities and experts, together with their counterparts from other EU Member States, can support administrative development and institution-building in the EU's partner countries.

"EU enlargement has returned to the centre of the European agenda in recent years. Recent developments have highlighted both the geopolitical significance of enlargement and the new momentum behind the process," Minister Strand said in his opening remarks.

The Minister also highlighted Montenegro, which is at an advanced stage in its accession negotiations and aims to close the remaining negotiating chapters in 2026.

"For the first time since 2013, the EU may soon be preparing to admit a new country to the Union. This sends an important message: enlargement remains a credible and achievable process for countries that are committed to reforms and capable of implementing them."

During her visit, Commissioner Kos also met Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

Inquiries: Benina Uotinen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 160 040, Prime Minister's Office