Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses measures to strengthen cybersecurity

Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs discusses measures to strengthen cybersecurity

In its meeting on 6 March, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs outlined Finland's positions on the revised EU Cybersecurity Act. The ministerial committee also discussed progress on the Savings and Investments Union and outlined Finland's positions for next week's council meetings.

The proposed regulation on a new EU Cybersecurity Act (the CSA2 regulation) would reinforce the European Cyber Security Agency ENISA, develop the EU's cybersecurity certification framework and strengthen the framework for mitigating security risks in ICT supply chains. The aim of the revisions to the Cybersecurity Act is to increase cybersecurity capabilities and resilience and to prevent fragmentation of the single market. In connection with the proposal to revise the Cybersecurity Act, an amendment was also proposed that would simplify and harmonise the Network Information Systems (NIS 2) Directive.

Finland supports the objectives of strengthening cybersecurity management capabilities and ensuring that the relevant institutions, authorities and stakeholders are better equipped to prevent, detect and combat cybersecurity threats in a way that is coordinated and effective. Measures supporting these objectives must be proportionate, risk-based, predictable and implemented in a controlled manner.

The ministerial committee's Union communication on the proposed Cybersecurity Act will become public once it has been discussed in a government session. The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs also discussed efforts to advance the Savings and Investments Union (SIU).

In addition, the ministerial committee outlined Finland's positions for the following meetings taking place next week:

• Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 9 March
• Eurogroup on 9 March
• Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) on 10 March

In the meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, the ministers will adopt conclusions on investing in children, discuss ways to break the poverty cycle and exchange views on the use of AI and its impacts on the labour market. The ministers will also discuss the 2026 European Semester and its recommendations and conclusions, and will adopt recommendations on human capital in the European Union and conclusions on the 2026 Joint Employment Report.

The Eurogroup will discuss macroeconomic developments in the euro area and assess the Belgian draft budgetary plan for 2026. In its meeting in inclusive format, the Eurogroup will hear a presentation on the digital finance workstream, exchange views on recent developments in energy prices and their impact on competitiveness and prepare for the March Euro Summit.

In the meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), the ministers will exchange views on the market integration and supervision package, which is part of the EU's Savings and Investments Union agenda. Other items on the agenda will include the implementation of fiscal rules and the economic and financial impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 595 7751, Minna Kivimäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 431 and Lauri Heikkinen, Senior Communications Specialist, tel. +358 45 923 5090, Prime Minister's Office