News
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19.12.2024
EU and Western Balkans strengthen partnership at summit
The leaders of the EU Member States and the Western Balkans highlighted their close partnership at a summit on Wednesday 18 December in Brussels. The EU reiterated its commitment to the region and called for strong foreign and security policy cooperation from its Western Balkans partners. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the summit.
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6.12.2024
Finland Debuts the World’s First National Soundscape
Finland is the first country in the world to commission a composer to create an official national soundscape. Ääniä is an original musical work by Lauri Porra, one of the country’s most celebrated composers. It takes the listener on a journey through the impressions, seasons and serene beauty of the happiest country in the world.
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5.12.2024
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15.11.2024
Bioeconomy – next steps in the EU, joined by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Sweden on 11 November 2024
Joint non-paper by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Sweden on bioeconomy.
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7.11.2024
Ecofin Council reached an agreement on the EU's new VAT package for the digital age
The comprehensive VAT package addresses the EU's need to modernise the VAT system to meet the demands of the digital age. It aims to combat tax fraud, support businesses, enhance system efficiency, and promote digitalization.
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18.10.2024
European Council sends strong message on continuing support for Ukraine
The European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday 17 October focused on Ukraine, the Middle East and migration. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the meeting and told the Council about the situation in Ukraine and his Peace Formula.
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17.10.2024
EU and Gulf countries agree to deepen cooperation
In their first-ever summit in Brussels on Wednesday 16 October, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) outlined a vision for closer cooperation.
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11.10.2024
President-elect of the European Council Antonio Costa visited in Helsinki
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and President-elect of the European Council Antonio Costa met in Helsinki on Tuesday 8 October. In their meeting, they discussed the EU strategic agenda for 2024–2029 and Finland’s objectives for the current EU legislative term.
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1.10.2024
Catch the Carbon – Climate Mitigation and Adaptation from Research to Practice
Achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 is a key goal for Finland, requiring ambitious efforts across various sectors, including land use. The Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector outlines critical strategies to reduce emissions and enhance carbon sinks in agriculture, forestry, and land use changes. This plan supports Finland’s broader climate goals and aligns with the European Union’s climate commitments. Through initiatives like the Catch the Carbon programme, which has funded over 150 innovative projects, the plan fosters collaboration among stakeholders and promotes sustainable land management practices essential for meeting Finland’s climate targets.
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30.9.2024
Finland emphasises key EU policy priorities in letters to Commissioners-designate
The Finnish Government has sent letters to all European Commissioners-designate. In the letters, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and the ministers in Government congratulate the Commissioners-designate on their appointment and highlight Finland’s EU policy priorities for 2024–2029. Finland’s main priorities are comprehensive security, strategic competitiveness and the clean transition. The Government emphasises respect for the rule of law as the foundation for all activities in the Member States and the Union.