The EU leaders gathered in Granada would set their sights on a five-year term lasting until 2029. Finland still has good opportunities to influence the policies of the coming years.
GRANADA Even though the European elections are still more than half a year away, the EU is already preparing for the challenges of the upcoming legislative period. Policies are now being made in the Union, which will have far-reaching effects on Finland as well.
– Everyone sees that the renewal of the EU is necessary, that we will not succeed in the global competition with China and the United States, and that the EU threatens to fall behind as a smaller player, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (co.) stated at the end of the summit held in Granada.
At the meeting, the EU leaders took the first steps to approve the EU’s future strategic agenda. The strategy is intended to guide the preparation of legislation in the coming years in the Commission and other EU institutions.
According to Orpo, Finland has clear steps as priorities for the next legislative period.
– At the center is the internal market, a strong economy, investments in clean energy, different forms of clean energy, accepting the importance of the bioeconomy and the circular economy in this transition, Orpo listed Finland’s goals.
According to Orpo, the EU must also continue its support to Ukraine and strengthen its own defense capability and defense industry.
– Russia is and will remain a threat to Europe and we must be able to respond to it, Orpo stated.
A hot spot for influencing
According to Brussels influencers, Finland has a good opportunity to influence the EU’s future policies already in the autumn.
– It is known that the commission is putting together its work program at the moment, and this autumn is perhaps the hottest place to influence, the head of the Brussels office of the Confederation of Finnish Business Kaisa Soro-Pesonen says.
According to Soro-Pesonen, the government program provides good conditions for prior influence at the EU level. Among other things, the government is committed to enhancing Finland’s influence on the EU and speeding up position formation.
– After all, we have many big issues on the table, which are very important specifically for Finland, not only when it comes to combating climate change and promoting the digital transition, but also when it comes to supporting Ukraine, Soro-Pesonen states.
Decisions must be influenced in time
Head of the EU representation of SAK and STTK Susanna Salovaara also emphasizes the importance of good preparation in EU decision-making. According to him, prior influence is the “a and o” of EU policy.
– When the commission starts thinking about new proposals, it is important that we are able to tell what kind of decisions we ourselves want, he sums up.
Salovaara hopes that social dialogue and issues related to the quality of working life will also appear in the work program of the new commission to be elected after the summer European elections.
According to Salovaara, Finland should strive to influence various EU institutions and key members of the European Parliament.