Minister for European Affairs Strand to visit Vienna

Minister for European Affairs Strand to visit Vienna

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will visit Vienna on 5-6 November. The programme for his visit will include meetings with Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Claudia Plakolm and the EU Affairs Committee of the Austrian Parliament, as well as a discussion event marking the 30th anniversary of Finland's and Austria's EU membership.

In their meeting, Ministers Strand and Plakolm will discuss a variety of topical EU issues. Items on the agenda will include the EU's next multiannual financial framework (MFF 2028-2034), support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's illegal war of aggression, and the EU's enlargement prospects. The ministers will also discuss bilateral relations between their countries.

"Austria and Finland have close, well-functioning relations. Both of our countries emphasise the importance of safeguarding the multilateral rules-based system in world politics. We are also united by our simultaneous accession to the EU and our similar overall views on EU policy. There are still opportunities to increase trade between our countries, and I want to promote this, too," said Minister Strand.

"Europe must continue its strong support to Ukraine over the long term. Along with this support, we must systematically increase pressure on Russia in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. When we talk about Ukraine's security, we are also talking about the security and future of Europe as a whole," Minister Strand said.

Minister Strand's meeting with the EU Affairs Committee of the Austrian Parliament will also focus on topical EU issues, including the rule of law.

The theme of the panel discussion marking 30 years of Finland's and Austria's EU membership is what the Union should look like after the next 30 years. The event will be hosted by the Bank of Austria and the Österreichische Gesellschaft für Europapolitik research institute. Austrian Minister for European Affairs Plakolm and Minister Strand will be panellists in the discussion. Attendees at the event will include upper secondary school students and EU experts from various fields.

"The negotiations on the EU's multiannual financial framework play a key role as we prepare for the future. We must be able to respond to the EU's key policy priorities, such as strengthening defence and competitiveness, while also taking into account more traditional policy areas. We need a new mindset and more efficient ways to use EU funds. With this in mind, Finland supports the Commission's proposal to simplify the structure of the budget. The EU needs a budget that is modern and forward-looking," Minister Strand said.

Inquiries: Satu Keskinen, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 302, Alexander Lång, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 160 866, Prime Minister's Office