NordenBladet — Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko will represent Finland in the meeting of EU and euro area finance ministers on 14–15 March.The finance ministers will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the related economic impact. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council will discuss the proposal for a Council directive on ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for multinational groups in the Union. The second major item on the agenda is the proposal for the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). One of the key objectives of the French Presidency of the Council of Europe is to move both proposals forward.The CBAM is part of the package presented by the European Commission last July to implement the European Green Deal and to transform the EU’s economy to achieve its climate objectives. The CBAM is intended to prevent carbon leakage, i.e. the transfer of production to countries with more lax environmental standards in situations where the EU intends to intensify its climate measures. The finance ministers will also discuss reforming economic policy coordination.Eurogroup to discuss next year’s fiscal policyThe Eurogroup will meet on Monday 14 July. The agenda includes fiscal policy guidance for 2023 from the perspective of the euro area and the presentation of Greece’s enhanced surveillance report. An extended composition consisting of the ministers of all EU Member states will discuss the progress of the banking union and the preparations for the Euro Summit in March.
NordenBladet — By the deadline of 4 March 2022, 86 applications were received in the first application round for energy investment aid under Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. The investment aid is intended for energy solutions of the future that aim to achieve carbon neutrality and improve competitiveness, among other things. The total amount of aid applied for was EUR 1.65 billion.The planned investments concern the transmission of electricity, hydrogen and district heat, solar and wind energy, biogas, hydrogen, electrification of industrial processes and energy efficiency. The projects are located across Finland. “The great interest of the industry and energy sector in such investments show that the pace of green transition is picking up. A quick exit from the fossil economy is now on the cards. These investments will also improve Finland’s security of energy supply,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.First aid decisions to be made in spring 2022The Government has reserved a total of EUR 520 million for these energy investments in the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland.Applications will be processed in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The Ministry aims to make the first aid decisions in the spring.The decision to grant the aid is based on overall consideration and a comparison of the different projects, including an evaluation of the novelty value of the project technology, for example. In addition, the evaluation will consider impacts on energy and emissions, cost-effectiveness, feasibility,replicability of a technology or project, and other impacts of the projects.The applications must also comply with the “do no significant harm” principle, meaning that the implementation of investments must not cause significant harm to environmental objectives. Projects of less than EUR 5 million to be handled via the application process for energy aidThis application round was intended for large projects where the investment costs exceed EUR 5 million. Projects excluded from the application round (with costs less than EUR 5 million) will be handled via the regular application process concerning energy aid. These renewable energy and energy efficiency projects may still be eligible for energy aid. Read more: tem.fi/en/energy-aid
Members of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut and Anti Poolamets are taking part in the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is held today and tomorrow in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Chairman of the Committee Siim Kallas and member Oudekki Loone are attending remotely.
This afternoon, discussions will take place in Working Groups (WG). Anti Poolamets is taking part in the WG on European democracy and Riina Sikkut in the WG on Digital transformation, which she is chairing together with Finnish MP Elina Valtonen. Oudekki Loone is taking part in the WG on Migration, and Siim Kallas in the WG on A stronger economy. The Working Groups are embarking on a new stage in their work where the recommendations of the citizens’ panels are being examined with a view of formulating these into proposals to be presented to the Plenary Assembly.
This will be followed today and tomorrow by five Plenary Sessions whose agendas are titled youth, education and culture; EU in the world; stronger economy, social justice and jobs; digital transformation; and migration.
The Conference on the Future of Europe is a citizens-led series of debates and discussions that enable people from across Europe to share their ideas and help shape our common future. This takes place on a multilingual digital platform where every European citizen can share their ideas through national as well as European citizens’ panels.
The conclusions of the discussions are explored at the Plenary Session of the Conference. The Conference as a public forum offers an opportunity to engage in an open, inclusive, and transparent discussion with the citizens on a variety of priorities and problems.
In today’s webinar, more than 400 local government representatives received an outline of the state’s activities in organising the reception of Ukrainian war refugees, and were given answers to questions that have arisen so far. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities. The webinar can be viewed here.
“The state, together with local governments, has established primary reception points where people can receive emotional support, information about their opportunities in Estonia and register. We’re also providing accommodation for those who have no friends or relatives in Estonia,” said Kaisa Üprus-Tali, Head of Crisis Assistance at the Social Insurance Board. “We’re grateful for the local governments who have already been active and helped provide necessary assistance to the families who have escaped the war. In addition to non-governmental organisations, local governments will be an important partner to the state in the coming months to assimilate people who have arrived from Ukraine into the community.”
During the webinar, the municipalities asked practical questions regarding the employment of refugees, health services and organisational issues related to the establishment of the daily lives of Ukrainian war refugees.
Jan Trei, Deputy Director of the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities, confirmed that local governments are willing to assist the state in helping Ukrainian war refugees. “We must show the solidarity and readiness of both the state and local governments to help Ukrainians and provide all possible assistance and humanitarian aid. As the crisis is new for both, it’s important that the state provides practical information and guidelines to local governments. Based on this, we held today’s information day and plan to hold future such meetings also,” explained Jan Trei.
Across the European Union (including Estonia), people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted temporary protection, and from March 9, refugees can apply for a residence permit in Estonia in one day. This permit extends many state and local government services and benefits to war refugees, from labour market services provided by the Unemployment Insurance Fund and family benefits paid by the Social Insurance Board, to social assistance and subsistence benefits provided by local governments. Children are also guaranteed access to education, which is also provided by local governments.
In addition to Kaisa Üprus-Tali, Undersecretary for Rescue, Emergency Services and Crisis Management, Viola Murd, Undersecretary for General Education and Youth Policy of the Ministry of Education and Research, Liina Murd, Head of the Jobseeker’s and Employers’ Services Department of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, Katrin Liivamets, Undersecretary of Cultural Diversity of the Ministry of Culture Piret Hartman and Head of the Tallinn Social and Health Care Board, Raimo Saadi, spoke at the information day. The day was opened by Hanna Vseviov, Undersecretary of Social Affairs of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
At the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas with Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, Leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer and Shadow Secretary of State for Defence of the UK John Healey, assistance to Ukraine that is fighting against Russia’s aggression, and the helping of war refugees were discussed.
Ratas underlined that Estonia and the United Kingdom had close and strong relations that had lasted for a long time. He thanked the UK for their contribution to Baltic air policing. “At present, we have to act with greater unity to help Ukraine,” Ratas said. “The world has changed a lot in a short time, and several countries have also made historical decisions in granting military aid to Ukraine and in enforcing sanctions.”
Speaking of the contacts with the members of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine and of what other countries could do to help Ukraine, Ratas emphasised the need to establish a no-fly zone urged by the Ukrainians.
Both Ratas and the British MPs stated that Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine would have a significant impact on the whole Europe. In this context, energy security and cyber defence were discussed in greater detail at the meeting.
The President of the Riigikogu noted that the events in Ukraine directly concerned many people in Estonia and their close ones and acquaintances. “It is important that all people, regardless of their nationality or mother tongue, stay calm and stand together – as a society and as a nation,” he added.
Ratas said that Estonia supported Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and helped Ukraine bilaterally as well as through NATO, the European Union and international cooperation. The Estonian people and companies support the Ukrainian war refugees. “The war refugees from Ukraine are fleeing the evil of Putin’s regime,” Ratas pointed out. “It is important to provide the Ukrainian war refugees shelter and a safe place to stay until they will be able to return home.”
Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Läänemets and Eduard Odinets also attended the meeting with the British MPs.
NordenBladet — On 11 March, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Turkey. During the visit, Foreign Minister Haavisto will also have bilateral discussions on the current security situation.The Minister will meet with host country Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and representatives of several other states and organisations. Haavisto will also participate in a panel discussion focusing on effective functioning of institutions and governments entitled ‘Justice, reforms and stronger institutions’.“The Antalya Diplomacy Forum will provide an excellent opportunity for holding important discussions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its effects on the international security situation. At present, dialogue and cooperation are of the utmost importance,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto.
NordenBladet — The digital service package of the EU’s regional and structural policy funds for the programming period 2021−2027 has been completed. The calls for applications in the programming period will open in stages. Applications for business funding from the ELY Centres will be the first to begin on 14 March 2022.The Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021−2027 programme supports industrial, energy, climate, innovation, education and employment policies as well as the work against exclusion and poverty. The programme includes the measures of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). “The application system for the new programming period is now ready and the responsibility for implementation will be transferred to regions, ELY Centres and regional councils. The first calls for applications will soon open to companies and it is important to ensure that the projects get off to a good start. The results will be measured in companies. That is where growth and jobs are created in Finland,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.Calls for applications in the programming period to open in stagesRegional councils, ELY Centres and the Finnish Food Authority will grant the funding during the new regional and structural policy programming period. The authorities granting the funding will open the calls for applications in the EURA 2021 system. The online service will be available in Finnish and Swedish.The first calls to open will be ELY Centres’ calls for business development aid. Companies can apply for aid for investments and development measures. Aid may be used to finance the development of company business competence, internationalisation, products and production methods, services,preparation of projects, and other similar significant development of business activities. More detailed information on the criteria for business development aid is available in the ELY Centres’ calls for applications and the regional funding policies.The regional councils and ELY Centres will open the calls for applications in March−April. Measures under the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and material aid from ESF+ will begin later this year.The funding authorities will determine a more detailed application schedule. News about the calls for applications will be published on the rakennerahastot.fi website and in the EURA 2021 system.Around EUR 520 million available in the first year The implementation of the new regional and structural policy programme will take place in 2021–2027. The programme funding consists of EU and national funding. The Government has authorised the granting of EUR 520,439,000 from the 2022 budget to the funding authorities for the calls. Of the total, EUR 332,805,000 is reserved for the ERDF measures and EUR 187,634,000 for the ESF+ measures.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland opens a call for proposals for an Institutional Cooperation Instrument (ICI) project in Tanzania. The aim of the ICI project is to enhance Tanzania’s climate resilience by building up the capacity and skills of the institutions and agencies in Tanzania.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland opens a call for proposals for an Institutional Cooperation Instrument (ICI) project in Tanzania. Financing will be available for 0 -1 proposals with the contract duration of a maximum of 4 years (2023 – 2026). The maximum total amount of funding available is approximately 1 million euros.The aim of the ICI project is to enhance Tanzania’s climate resilience by building up the capacity and skills of the institutions and agencies responsible for managing and protecting the environment, natural resources and/or biodiversity to produce data, information and knowledge needed to plan and implement climate change adaptation measures in Tanzania. The ICI project is expected to enhance the use of knowledge in decision-making and policy making, at national and local levels. Furthermore, the ICI project should advance and build up the means of the citizens, especially those in more vulnerable positions and youth, to adapt to climate change, for instance, via awareness-raising or skills development.The ICI project is expected to contribute to Finland’s country strategy in Tanzania and country programme for development cooperation in Tanzania in improving climate resilience. In addition, the project is expected to advance Tanzania’s Nationally Determined Contribution, especially in the adaptation to climate change, and be aligned with Finland’s development co-operation policy.The general conditions and guidelines for the preparation of project proposals are available on the Foreign Ministry’s website. In addition to the general criteria, project proposals must meet the following minimum condition:The projects’ partner agency must be a public institution or agency in Tanzania.Project proposals will be assessed based on the general criteria set out in the ICI guidelines as well as on the responses to the following questions:How clearly does the project support the goals of Finland’s country strategy and programme for Tanzania?How clearly does the project support the goals of Tanzania’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)? Which aspects of the NDC particularly?To which degree will the project support the promotion of commercial relations or the development of the private sector?Does the project contribute to ongoing or planned EU cooperation with the Governments of Tanzania and/or Zanzibar and if so, how? This would be considered an asset.Applications must be submitted by 16 May 2022 to ALI-20(at)formin.fi and kirjaamo.um (at)formin.fi. The subject of the message must be: ALI-20/IKI-haku 2022.
NordenBladet — On 9 March 2022, representatives of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the cities of Helsinki and Tallinn discussed transport questions between the countries.The cooperation has been agreed upon by a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) between Finland and Estonia signed on 26 April 2021. The purpose of the MoU is cooperation in the transport sector and exchange of information between the countries in order to promote large-scale transport projects.The discussion was led by Sabina Lindström, Director General at the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Ahti Kuningas, Deputy Secretary General at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. The meeting focused on topical transport projects between Finland and Estonia and between Helsinki and Tallinn, on Finland’s 12-year national transport system plan, on Estonia’s general plan for transport and mobility and on the situation of the Rail Baltica project. Additionally, the countries’ views on EU’s proposal for a TEN-T Regulation and the continuation of cooperation between the countries and cities were discussed. Also, the status of the fixed link (tunnel) between Estonia and Finland was discussed in the light of national transport plans, regulation and land use decisions.What’s next?In future, discussions on topical matters in the transport sector will be held regularly with the city of Helsinki, the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the city of Tallinn. The next meeting will be arranged in Estonia.
NordenBladet — In their meeting on 9 March, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the security situation in Europe.
