EU publishes communication on digital foreign policy advocated by Finland
Finland welcomes the EU international digital strategy, which was published as a joint communication of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 5 June 2025.
Press release, Ministry for Foreign AffairsMinistry of Transport and Communications
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Already before the present European Commission was formed, Finland advocated for the drafting of a joint communication on the matter. Finland proposed the communication as part of its priorities for influencing the Commission’s five-year programme. The aim of the joint communication is to see the EU take on a stronger global role in digital policy.
Joint communication takes into account Finland’s objectives
The joint communication responds to the key content objectives advocated by Finland in the EU’s digital external relations. Finland has emphasised that the EU should focus on promoting technology norms and standards in line with European values and interests as well as on fostering secure digital infrastructure and services globally using the solutions of reliable technology suppliers. For example, the EU must act more strategically and uniformly when it comes to global standardisation issues and drawing up rules for the management of artificial intelligence and data.
“The EU as a whole must work together to promote safe and reliable technology solutions across the world. As a pioneer in network technologies, the EU can effectively promote global 6G standards, for example, in the International Telecommunications Union,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.
Joint European efforts are needed to strengthen the position of European companies in international markets and, in doing so, to attract investments in reliable European technology solutions.
"The implementation of the strategy will provide new opportunities to utilise the expertise and solutions of Finnish companies globally. In this context, the EU’s Global Gateway is an important tool for building digital infrastructure and services in emerging economies. Implementing it effectively in partner countries will require better coordination of Europe’s various financial instruments and more intense cooperation with international financial institutions,” says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.
The joint communication also strengthens the coherence of the EU’s internal and external digital policy, which has been an important objective for Finland. Finland has also emphasised the importance of dialogue with European companies and other stakeholders in international technology issues.
The joint communication responds to the request made in the European Council conclusions of April 2024 to the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to prepare a strategy on strengthening the EU’s leading role in global digital affairs. The joint communication sets out EU priorities in international digital policy and presents ways to strengthen the EU’s technological sovereignty, uniform practices and international partnerships.
Next steps
The joint communication and its implementation will be discussed by the Council of the European Union in summer 2025.
Finland will actively promote its objectives in cooperation with the European Commission, the European External Action Service and other Member States.
Inquiries:
Ministry of Transport and Communications:
Kaisa Kopra, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 29 534 2066, [email protected]
Ministry for Foreign Affairs:
Aki Enkenberg, Chief Senior Specialist, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 533, [email protected]
European Commission press release 5 June 2025: The EU sets out its International Digital StrategyLinkki toiselle sivustolle
European Commission: Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council: An International Digital Strategy for the European UnionLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Press release 5 March 2024: Ministry of Transport and Communications publishes its priorities for next European parliamentary term
Non-paper: Strengthening the EU’s Leadership in Global Digital Affairs