Current affairs

Jari Vilén, Senior Advisor in Arctic policy matters, spells out the challenges that we face today in the Arctic region. Climate change is a major issue, but there's more to it than that.

The EU High Level Working Group on Competitiveness and Growth met in Brussels on 24 January 2019. The working group approved a new working programme for the coming 18-month period, during which the group’s work will be steered by a Finnish chair.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) will meet in Brussels on 10 December. Finland's representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini. Ukraine's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin will attend an informal lunch during the meeting.

Restricting global warming is crucial to humanity’s future. There will be no easy transition to a low-emission world, or eventually to a carbon neutral world, and we must make changes in all spheres of life. The European Union has an important role as one who takes the lead and offers solutions. To do this, it needs an ambitious and comprehensive climate and energy policy that is based on knowledge.

Climate policy aims to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the European Union, these emissions are reduced by emissions trading scheme, the obligations of effort sharing sectors and the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

There is a talk a lot about Finnish agriculture and especially the ways to support it. This is a good thing. The topic is highly important, and support policy with all its complications is far from simple. Large amounts of the public funds collected as taxes are used to support agriculture and the rural areas, which is why public discussion is also needed.

Data economy calls for cooperation Today the driving force for growth in business is data. In addition to organisations and individuals, data economy affects national economies and competitiveness of economic areas.

Pääministeri Juha Sipilä kirjoittaa Helsingin Sanomien vieraskynässä tunnelmistaan epävirallisen Eurooppa-neuvoston alla:

Digitising European industry is a key factor for global competitiveness. We need to have the best technologies and research to remain competitive in the global market, which is already in many ways digital, writes Mika Lintilä, Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs

Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing of Finland Kimmo Tiilikainen and Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy of Sweden Ibrahim Baylan have sent a letter to the Members of the European Parliament, reminding them about the important role of sustainable bioenergy in reaching the EU’s climate and energy targets to 2030.