Finland: Government Report on EU Policy: EU must strengthen its resilience to crisis

NordenBladet — The Report on EU Policy is report is strongly based on the EU’s common values and on the Government Programme. It emphasises the need to strengthen the EU’s resilience to crisis in all sectors. The Government Report on EU Policy was adopted at the government plenary session on Thursday 28 January, after which it was submitted to Parliament.

The report outlines Finland’s EU policy for the coming years. It is based on the EU policy priorities set in the Government Programme. In this report, the Finnish Government presents its response on how the EU should strengthen its resilience and what direction its development should take in the first half of the 2020s. The thread running through the report is the need to strengthen the Union’s resilience to crisis in all EU activities.

“Resilience to crisis is a cross-cutting theme in the report. The Government wants to strengthen the EU as a security community. The EU must reinforce its resilience to crisis in all policy areas,” says Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen.

The Report on EU Policy emphasises the importance of the EU’s common values and equality. Democracy, the rule of law and fundamental and human rights will continue to form the basis for all activities of the Union.

“Our common values are the foundation of the EU and an indispensable prerequisite for resilience. We must work to promote democracy, the rule of law and human rights comprehensively. In doing so, we will strengthen the unity, validity and credibility of the EU. We must continue our determined efforts to strengthen the rule of law, making full use of the instruments in the EU’s rule of law toolbox. The instruments must be further developed and used according to their purpose.

”The report also outlines Finland’s approach to the topical discussion on the EU’s strategic autonomy. The Government stresses that this must not mean turning inwards or opting for protectionism. Instead, strategic autonomy must mean developing the EU’s strengths, participating in fair competition, promoting the EU’s values and interests with greater determination, and assuming our responsibility in international cooperation. Finland is actively involved in developing the EMU.

“Finland wants to see a more resilient EMU that strengthens Member States’ responsibility for their finances, simplifies fiscal policy rules and improves economic policy coordination through the European Semester. Finland is open to initiatives to tackle harmful tax competition and tax evasion.”

The EU must use its strengths to improve its position in the global operating environment.

“Finland aims to make the EU the most competitive and socially integrated climate neutral economy in the world. When it comes to the resilience of our societies, the competitiveness of the EU, ecological sustainability and social justice, it is essential for the EU’s growth strategy to be based on the principles of sustainable development. Finland aims to promote the economy of wellbeing approach in its EU activities. We will continue to work as a cooperative Member State, actively seeking common solutions that create national and European added value while promoting openness,” says Tuppurainen.