Current affairs

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.

The International Gender Equality Prize established by the Government of Finland was awarded to Angela Merkel in the margins of the EU Summit on Thursday 14 December. Merkel’s personal history makes her one of the most influential women of all time. She is undeniably a glass ceiling breaker and a role model to many women and girls.

On 14 December the trilogue between the EU Member States, the Commission and Parliament reached a preliminary agreement on the LULUCF Regulation, i.e. how carbon sinks and emissions caused by the use of forests and lands are taken into account in the EU's climate policy targets to 2030.

Since 2014, Finland has chaired the European Defence Agency’s project “European Maritime Capabilities in the Arctic”. The project has reported about a need for the European states to consider the continent’s northern dimension and to be prepared for the environmental changes up north, where the rising level of human activities will have direct impact also on safety and security issues.

“Climate change has proceeded at double speed in the Arctic as compared to the rest of the world. All together about 75 % of the Arctic sea ice mass has melted already.” Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization Petteri Taalas urges countries to raise ambition level in climate talks.

A regulation establishing the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) was adopted in the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg in October. The Office will be in charge of investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of fraud and bribery offences against EU funds.

On 23 October, the EU’s employment ministers reached an understanding concerning amendments to the directive that regulates the employment terms and conditions of posted workers. The amendments include a provision that posted workers would in future be entitled to the same pay for the same work as employees in the host country.

Helsinki promises no hiccups whatsoever if the decision is made to relocate the European Medicines Agency in the Finnish capital. The quirky campaign launched on Thursday, assuring the EU of smooth sailing and great livability for the agency’s personnel in their new home. It also addresses Helsinki’s wider aim of becoming one of the world’s health capitals both in terms of research and the commercialisation of the health and life science industries.