NordenBladet — The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union will arrange an informal meeting of transport ministers in Le Bourget, France, on 21-22 February 2022. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka and High-Level Representative Mikael Nyberg.The Ministers will discuss innovations in the transport sector and how to keep the industry attractive.“The EU has ambitious climate goals and reducing emissions from transport plays an important role in this work. In the transport sector, introduction of green technologies and use of digitalisation and data generate innovations, business and jobs. Finnish businesses have expertise that we can offer to others too,” says Minister Harakka.It is the EU’s aim to reduce emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 and to reach climate neutrality by 2050. On national scale, too, Finland aims for carbon neutrality by 2035 and for halving emissions from transport by 2030.In addition to innovation opportunities, the meeting will discuss how to attract young people, in particular, to work in the transport sector. The topics of the discussion will include the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ways to improve the working conditions of employees.At lunch, the discussions will focus on the transition to more environmentally friendly modes of transport, regulation proposal on the Trans-European Transport Nnetwork (TEN-T), and the reduction of emissions from road transport.Finland considers it important that the EU adopt more sustainable modes of transport more quickly. The use and effective combinations of different modes of transport should be supported and the development of internal market for mobility services promoted.On 17 February, the Government submitted a Union communication to Parliament on the proposal for a regulation on the trans-European transport network. Over lunch, Finland will highlight the Government’s position on the proposal.
NordenBladet — The expert report published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 18 February 2022 proposes that Finland participate in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration Programme (E3P programme). The report also recommends stronger resourcing for the national space administration.The report extensively assesses the benefits of Finland’s participation and the potential risks of opting out of the programme. The goal of the ESA’s Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration Programme is to strengthen Europe’s central role in future space exploration and projects. It also aims to inspire the next generations in the field of space exploration and, in particular, in reaching deep space destinations.In addition to Estonia, Finland is the only ESA member state that has so far not participated in the optional programme on human spaceflights and space exploration. Joining the programme would give Finland more extensive access to projects on the International Space Station, missions to the moon, the planned space station in orbit around the moon, and spaceflights to Mars. According to the study, opting out of the programme would restrict access to the early stages of the development of a new space economy. The global space economy has grown strongly over the past decade, and the growth is expected to continue. The value of the global space economy is approximately USD 350–450 billion.Finland has succeeded in accelerating new space companies to a strong growth and highly advanced technological development. Finnish space sector start-ups have collected tens of millions in private funding and developed global business operations. Thanks to their high level of expertise, Finnish research institutes and researchers are involved in significant international projects. Several innovative products, applications and services have been developed in Finland that could also be relevant from the perspective of human spaceflight and other space exploration. The results of the study will be utilised when Finland in 2022 defines which ESA programmes it will participate in during the next programming period. The decision on ESA programmes for the upcoming programming period will be taken at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting in November 2022.Finland has been a full member of the ESA since 1995. Finland’s recent (2020–2022) financial contribution to the ESA’s mandatory and voluntary programmes has been about EUR 28 million per year.The study was carried out by KPMG Oy and 4Front Oy.
NordenBladet — Municipal integration programmes increase cooperation and commit decision-makers to promotion of integration. However, the programmes would benefit from performance targets and increased monitoring of such targets, according to a report by Innolink Group and the Migration Institute of Finland. The preparation of integration programmes strengthens regional cooperation between municipalities, different sectors and different authorities. The content and purpose of municipal programmes differ, especially as regards the type of programme, i.e. whether it is a target programme, a description of services or a cross between them, the report says. If objectives are included at all, their setting and monitoring focus on measures rather than on monitoring the promotion of integration. In many municipalities, measuring the progress of integration is not sufficiently concrete, or in the worst case, there is not even an attempt to monitor integration and assess the effectiveness of measures. Municipalities need clearer guidance in preparation of programmesThe report on the integration programmes of municipalities was commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and produced by Innolink Group and the Migration Institute of Finland. Its results will be used in the reform of the Integration Act, following the release of the report on integration. According to the report, municipalities do not always have the competence or resources to carry out demanding target-oriented programmes. If the future legislation requires municipal integration programmes, municipalities will need more support and more detailed instructions for such programmes. Some municipalities have also expressed the wish for common integration indicators. On the other hand, the differences between municipalities make the drafting of uniform guidelines difficult. Integration programmes should be integrated into municipal strategiesMost municipalities find integration programmes useful, because they facilitate the exchange of information, stir discussion and increase cooperation. In order to increase the usefulness and impact of the programmes, they should, however, be more closely linked to the strategic activities of municipalities, according to the report.Municipalities should also increase the monitoring of targets and involve immigrants and other residents in the preparation of the programmes. Central government, on the other hand, should clarify the guidelines for integration programmes, organise training for municipalities and provide support for monitoring integration.
NordenBladet — EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 21 February. The main items on the meeting agenda are the European security situation, climate diplomacy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, preparation of the joint council of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the EU cyber exercise. The ministers will also hold an informal exchange with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Under current affairs, the foreign ministers will briefly take stock of the situation in Mali. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on climate diplomacy and on Coordinated Maritime Presences.The ministers will discuss the European security situation as a follow-up to the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 January. Issues under consideration include Russia’s military build-up close to Ukraine’s borders, as well as the immediate security situation in Ukraine and, more widely, in Europe. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will attend a ministerial breakfast meeting.“The European Union and Finland firmly support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia has the responsibility for the de-escalation of the situation”, Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto says.The ministers will exchange views on climate diplomacy, focusing on the implementation of the results from the Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP26) and on EU’s advocacy work. The Council will adopt conclusions on the matter.With regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council will discuss the country’s political situation, constitutional reform and reform of election legislation, as well as further measures by the EU. The discussion will build on the Foreign Affairs Council discussions in autumn 2021.In connection with the Council, a joint council will be held with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The foreign ministers will prepare the joint council at the Foreign Affairs Council. Finland supports the deepening of regional cooperation between the EU and GCC across various sectors.The foreign ministers will also hold a scenario-based discussion as part of the EU cyber exercise carried out during the French EU Presidency. France launched the exercise in January 2022. Based on the scenario, the Council will discuss, among other things, the cyber security measures and tools of the Member States, the European External Action Service (EAAS) and the Commission.In addition to the climate diplomacy conclusions, the Council is also expected to adopt conclusions on Coordinated Maritime Presences.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to review the provisions on the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking. This builds on the Government Programme, which states that the status of victims will be improved, regardless of the progress of related criminal proceedings in a human trafficking case.The project will make amendments to the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on the Identification of and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings that are key from the perspective of the intentions of the Government Programme. Other development needs related to the existing regulation on the Assistance System may also be taken into account in legislative drafting.Under the current legislation, the right of a victim of human trafficking to continue to receive assistance through the Assistance System is largely connected to the criminal proceedings and the progress of the proceedings. For this reason, the right to assistance may cease, for example if sufficient proof of a human trafficking offence is not obtained. Because of the link to the criminal proceedings, it is believed that not all persons in need of assistance may even seek admittance to the Assistance System.The Ministry of the Interior will prepare the necessary legislative amendments in close cooperation with the Finnish Immigration Service and the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking operating under it. Other key stakeholders will be consulted during the preparation process as necessary.The preparatory work is supported by a cross-sectoral working group appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in 2020. Its task is to draft legislative amendments concerning assistance for victims of human trafficking. One of the objectives of the working group is to weaken the link between assistance and criminal proceedings. The project will run from 17 February to 31 December 2022. The Government proposal is due to be submitted in autumn 2022.
NordenBladet — Sectoral organisations, companies, counties, municipalities and other stakeholders are invited to participate in the preparation of a voluntary agreement on a low-carbon circular economy and to become partners to it. The agreement is part of Finland’s National Circular Economy Programme, and the aim is to promote the transition to a low-carbon circular economy society in different sectors.The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment gave an introduction to the process to prepare the agreement today, on 18 February. The work is to be started in March and the agreement should be ready to be signed in summer 2023. The ministries will invite representatives of different sectors, companies, regions and municipalities interested in the matter to take part in the discussions. The organisations can join in by expressing their interest to the Ministry of the Environment during spring 2022.
NordenBladet — Finland’s development policy investments focus on combating climate change and promoting gender equality. Investments target Africa and developing countries. Finland’s investments in the IFC climate fund enabled more than 500 schools in the Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza to put solar panels on their roofs. Photo: Issam Al-Rimawi/IFCAccording to the first annual report on Finland’s development policy investments, which covers 2020, published by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, developing countries benefited significantly from development policy investments. By the end of 2020, almost EUR 550 million had been channelled to development policy investments. Negotiations are under way on investments with a value of nearly EUR 380 million. By the end of the current government term, the portfolio is expected to rise to over EUR 1,048 million.Investments support climate actionThe majority of Finland’s development policy investments are allocated to climate change mitigation, with 75 per cent of them going to climate action. Financial investments, which are an important part of Finland’s international climate financing, helped developing countries to achieve significant reductions in their emissions.“Our investments boosted renewable energy production and improved energy efficiency. As a result, many households previously deprived of electricity gained access. Resources were also allocated to support sustainable forestry,” says Irene Leino, Senior Adviser at the Unit for Development Finance and Private Sector Cooperation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Gender equality is a cross-cutting theme, which is why a specific target has been set for the investments: at least 85 per cent must promote gender equality.“Investments have helped developing countries to accumulate tax revenues and create jobs. Special attention has been paid to creating jobs for women,” Leino says.Africa accounts for 60 per cent of the investments. Efforts will be made to increase the share of the least developed countries in the investment portfolio. Sustainable development needs more private financingThe amount of financing required to achieve the global sustainable development goals is too large to be covered by official development assistance. The purpose of financial investments is to attract private investors who might otherwise be sceptical about investing. Using public funding to leverage additional investments from private actors will multiply the amount available for development policy purposes.“Development policy investments are always additional, which means they are channelled to investees that would otherwise not receive financing from the market. These investments may involve a greater risk for investors, which public funding may help to reduce,” Leino explains.COVID-19 pandemic affected investmentThe COVID-19 pandemic, which began to spread in 2020, had an impact on financial investments. “While the pandemic did not affect Finland’s investment activities, it had an impact on the target countries. With significant travel restrictions in force, it was very difficult to assess new investment opportunities. The pandemic hit the economies of developing countries harder, because unlike the developed countries, they did not have access to recovery facilities,” Leino notes. Development policy investments were, however, able to offset some of the impacts of the pandemic.“Patient private sector investment is essential to support the economies and employment opportunities of developing countries.” Development policy investments: Annual report 2020 (in Finnish)
NordenBladet — The informal European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday 17 February expressed its strong and united support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Prime Minister Sanna Marin represented Finland at the meeting.“The current security situation in Europe gives cause for concern. It is important to try to resolve the situation peacefully and by diplomatic means. It is essential that the situation does not further deteriorate and military measures do not escalate. In addition to statements, real measures are now needed from Russia to ease tension,” Prime Minister Marin says.
NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany on 18–19 February.The Munich Security Conference brings together policymakers and experts in the field of security policy from around the world. The conference provides the participants with an opportunity to discuss the state of international peace and security.
NordenBladet — On 14 December, the European Commission issued a proposal for a Regulation addressing situations of instrumentalisation in the field of migration and asylum. The Regulation would allow all EU Member States to derogate from certain provisions on the EU asylum procedure, reception of asylum seekers and return in situations of instrumentalisation. The Government expressed its position on the proposal in its communication submitted to Parliament on 17 February.The aim of the proposal is to create a permanent legal framework to respond to instrumentalisation of migrants. These situations would be defined in the Schengen Borders Code. Instrumentalisation of migrants refers to a situation where a third country instigates people into the Union by actively encouraging or facilitating such movement to the external borders from within its territory. The aim of such actions is to destabilise the European Union or a Member State.In practice, the Commission’s proposal includes the same measures as the previous proposal for provisional emergency measures for the benefit of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. They would allow the Member States to derogate from three legal acts still under negotiation in the EU, namely the Asylum Procedure Regulation, the Reception Conditions Directive recast and the Return Directive recast. The registration deadline for asylum applications could be extended to four weeks.Under certain conditions, the so-called border procedure could be applied to all applicants. This means that their applications could be examined at or near the border. Material reception conditions could be limited to basic needs, which include food, water, clothing, adequate healthcare and temporary shelter from the moment an application is made.Rather than applying the EU Return Directive, the return procedure could be decided on at the national level.Member States would not be obliged to introduce these measures, but they could, at their discretion, request this from the Commission. They could also send a request to the Commission for support from other Member States to manage the situation.Government supports clear legal frameworkThe Government considers it important that the EU clearly defines the legal framework for the asylum and return procedure and reception conditions in which the Member States can act in situations of instrumentalisation. It must be clear at every stage of the process what is required of a Member State and what the rights and obligations of an asylum seeker are.The Government approves the proposals if certain minimum conditions are met. It stresses that individuals must be able to apply for asylum also in situations of instrumentalisation. The applications must be examined individually, and the applicants must have access to sufficient legal remedies. The rights and special needs of vulnerable persons and the best interests of the child must be taken into account at all stages. The material reception conditions must cover at least the basic needs. Detention must be a last-resort measure, and the principle of non-refoulement must be fully respected.The Government stresses that, alongside these exceptional measures, work to reform the Common European Asylum System must continue. The System must be developed in a way that enables efficient, proportionate and more flexible ways for Member States to respond to changing situations. If necessary, the negotiations can proceed at different paces with regard to different proposals. In the longer term, however, the aim should be to ensure consistent and coherent regulation on all situations of crisis and emergencies in the field of migration.Regulation would improve EU countries’ preparednessThe most significant factors behind the Commission’s proposal are the actions of Belarus, which were targeted against Poland, Latvia and Lithuania in autumn 2021. This could also happen at other external borders of the EU. Non-EU countries can seek to use migration to promote their own political objectives and thereby undermine the stability of the EU and its Member States. The aim of the proposed Regulation is to improve preparedness. The purpose is to improve the ability of the Member States to respond to situations of instrumentalisation of migrants in an orderly, humane and dignified manner.The EU is trying to agree on the Regulation as soon as possible. More extensive political discussion on how to respond to the instrumentalisation of migrants will probably continue in early 2022 in different Council configurations.
Finland’s investments in the IFC climate fund enabled more than 500 schools in the Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza to put solar panels on their roofs. Photo: Issam Al-Rimawi/IFC