Government Communications Department
8.12.2014

Finland's EU policy priorities: competitiveness, better regulation and Union as a strong global actor

 (Translation. Originally published in Finnish on 5 December)

In 2015, Finland's EU policy priorities will include competitiveness to strengthen growth and employment, better regulation and Union as a strong global actor. The Government sets out its most important EU policy objectives each year. The newly appointed EU institutions have recently begun their work and next year will be important in terms of developing interinstitutional relations.

In 2015, Finland will emphasise measures to promote competitiveness, growth and employment. Investments should be targeted at top growth sectors: digitalisation, bioeconomy and cleantech. Finland's most important objective is to create green growth, reform industrial structures and competitiveness and promote the attainment of the climate and energy objectives 2030. The development of a well-functioning internal market calls for targeted legislative reforms supporting the free movement of services.

The European Union should focus its action on areas where it can bring added value. Appropriate, lighter and simpler regulation is important for Finland to secure the competitiveness of SMEs and improve the preconditions for entrepreneurship. The national impact assessment of key EU initiatives will be strengthened.

The international crises have placed neighbourhood policy in the centre of the EU's agenda. Finland is committed to efforts to strengthen the EU's external capabilities for the Union to maintain its role as a globally credible and effective player. The June European Council should make new commitments to strengthen the common security and defence policy. Finland emphasises effective coordination of the EU's external action.

In addition to these broad horizontal EU priorities, each ministry has its own sectoral EU priority projects. Key issues will include efforts to finalise the banking union, foster the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations between the EU and the United States, promote youth employment and support free movement.

Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 315, Prime Minister's Office