FINNISH PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION - ERSTE LESUNG - # THE UBERSICHT - erste ...
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# THE UBERSICHT FINNISH PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ERSTE LESUNG
#THEUBERSICHT
Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
GENERAL INFORMATION ECONOMY
Finland has been populated since the end of the last Finland has a GDP of €232 billion (2018), a growth of
Ice Age. It was part of the Kingdom of Sweden from more than 1.7 percent compared to the previous year.
the 13th century until 1809 when it became part of the With a population of 5.5 million inhabitants, this makes
Russian Empire as an autonomous duchy. It declared the per capita GDP to be at €42.100. In May 2019, Fin-
independence in 1917. land’s unemployment rate stood at 8.8 percent while
Finland is a parliamentary republic; the head of gov- its youth unemployment remains at 29.4 percent.
ernment is Prime Minister Antti Rinne, while head of Finland has benefited above average from globali-
state is President Sauli Niinistö. With its capital Hel- sation due to its high dependence on exports – 80
sinki, Finland’s local governments are divided into 311 percent of which are from the wood, paper, chemical,
municipalities (towns and cities). Overall, Finland is di- electrical and metal industry. In return, it has also been
vided into 19 regions and 70 sub-regions. Since be- affected more severely by the financial crisis in 2008.
coming independent in 1917, the country has had 73 Around 60 percent of Finland’s exports go to other EU
governments, 43 prime ministers and more than 600 member states, e.g. to Germany (15 percent), Sweden
ministers, the majority being centre and centre-left (ten percent), or the Netherlands (seven percent). In
coalitions. terms of imports, 60 percent came from the EU mem-
Finland joined the European Union in 1995, adopted ber states, while the largest importers outside the EU
the Euro as its currency in 1999 and joined the Schen- were Russia with 14 percent and China with 7 percent.
gen Zone in 2001. For its third Presidency of the Coun- Hence, inter-EU trade is of great importance for the
cil, Finland has a budget of €70 million. Finnish economy.
The new government led by Prime Minister Rinne was Finland reported a €1.8 billion government deficit in
appointed on 6 June 2019 and consists of a coali- 2018, which is 0.8 percent relative to GDP. Also relative
tion between the Social Democratic Party, the Centre to the GDP, Finland’s debt rate was at 59.8 by the end
Party, the Greens, the Left Alliance and the Swedish of 2018. The Finnish government contributed 18.8
People’s Party of Finland. On 4 June 2019, the des- percent to the country’s GDP last year. ■
ignated Finnish government announced that it would
nominate Jutta Urpilainen as the country’s candidate
for the European Commission. Urpilainen would be
Finland’s first female Commissioner. ■
#THEUBERSICHT
Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
PRIORITIES
The slogan of the Finnish Presiden- COMMON VALUES AND THE EU AS A GLOBAL
cy highlights its aim: “Sustainable THE RULE OF LAW LEADER IN CLIMATE
Europe – Sustainable Future”. ACTION
The Presidency wants to fully pro-
The EU’s global leadership in climate tect and develop common val- One of the Presidency’s main pri-
change is one of the Presidency’s ues. To this end, the EU’s rule of orities is to foster the EU’s global
key priorities. It strives for the EU to law toolbox is to be improved and leading role in climate action. It will
become the most competitive and strengthened in order to find the continue the process of defining
socially inclusive low-carbon econ- best possible ways for ensuring the key points of the EU’s long-
omy in the world. respect for the EU’s core values term climate strategy by the end
in the Member States. This will in- of 2019, enabling it to become
With an active industrial policy, the volve evaluating the dialogue on CO2-neutral by 2050. Integrating
development of the service sector the rule of law in the Council in or- climate aspects in all policy areas
and the digital economy, it aims to der to steer it in a more structured is also a central objective. It wants
lay the foundations for the future. It and targeted direction. It wants to the EU to become a bio economy
wants to increase citizens’ well-be- establish a well-balanced and effi- and fulfil the prerequisites for a cir-
ing, the EU’s public acceptance and cient mechanism linking EU fund- cular economy thus curbing the
gender equality, while also creating ing to respect for the rule of law. loss of biodiversity. This should
sustainable growth and strength- With inequalities leading to a se- ensure the transition to a socially
ening security. The Presidency’s vere loss of potential, it advocates just, carbon-neutral society. ■
efforts will concentrate on the fol- a gender equality strategy both at
lowing four priorities. national and EU level. ■
PROTECTING THE
SECURITY OF CITIZENS
A COMPETITIVE AND COMPREHENSIVELY
SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE EU
To fully ensure the security of citi-
To deepen the single market and zens, the EU must promote multi-
achieve sustainable economic lateral solutions and strengthen its
growth, it aims to bring together in- contribution to conflict prevention
ternal market policy, the digital rev- and mediation. Strong security
olution, industrial policy and trade and defence partnerships as well
policy. At the same time, the further as cooperation are considered to
development of the European Pillar be important, particularly in areas
of Social Rights is considered im- such as hybrid and cyber threats.
portant. No human potential should The EU’s internal security will be
be wasted, and the availability of addressed, and the respective
skilled workers needs to be in- strategy assessed. Strong and
creased. Compliance with modern joint EU foreign policy action and
employment and social standards rapid decision-making are also es-
throughout the EU is to be ensured sential to maintain the EU’s leading
and labour law and social protection role in development policy and to
systems assessed. The Presidency implement the 2030 Sustainable
will support an open, rule-based Development Agenda and the Paris
and sustainable trade policy. ■ Agreement in the EU and globally. ■
#THEUBERSICHT
Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
WHO
IS WHO
For more information,
SDP
click on the portraits.
SDP
Social Democratic Party
KESK
Center Party
VIHR
Green League ANTTI MARJA KATRIINA RISLAKKI
RINNE Permanent Representative
RKP
Prime Minister Ambassador of Finland to the EU
Swedish People‘s Party
VAS
Left Alliance
KESK SDP VIHR
MIKA TYTTI PEKKA
LINTILÄ TUPPURAINEN HAAVISTO
Deputy Prime Minister, European Affairs Foreign Affairs
Minister of Finance
SDP RKP RKP
VILLE ANNA-MAJA THOMAS
SKINNARI HENRIKSSON BLOMQVIST
Development Cooperation Justice Nordic Cooperation
and Foreign Trade and Equality
#THEUBERSICHT
Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
> WHO IS WHO
VIHR KESK SDP VAS
MARIA ANTTI SIRPA LI
OHISALO KAIKKONEN PAATERO ANDERSSON
Interior Defence Local Government and Education
Ownership Steering
KESK KESK SDP SDP
ANNIKA JARI SANNA TIMO
SAARIKKO LEPPÄ MARIN HARAKKA
Science and Culture Agriculture and Forestry Transport and Employment
Communications
KESK VAS SDP VIHR
KATRI AINO-KAISA KRISTA KRISTA
KULMUNI PEKONEN KIURU MIKKONEN
Economic Affairs Social Affairs and Health Family Affairs and Environment and
Social Services Climate Change
#THEUBERSICHT
Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
POLICY FIELDS
GENERAL AFFAIRS A realistic enlargement perspec- of improvement of enforcement
tive for the Western Balkans is a are key to this end. In Home Af-
As the first Presidency in the new priority for the Finnish Presidency. fairs, the EU Internal Security Strat-
legislative period of the European Another focus is an Arctic policy egy will be re-evaluated and the
Parliament and the first in charge of that positively contributes to the EU-NATO cooperation will be en-
implementing the priorities of the region’s geopolitical significance. ■ hanced, especially in areas such
Strategic Agenda 2019-2024, Fin- as military mobility and in coun-
land is determined to work closely tering hybrid and cyber threats.
with all institutional actors, in par- ECONOMIC AND The EU must also fight corruption,
ticular with regard to the finalisation FINANCIAL AFFAIRS cross-border crime and terrorism
of the next multiannual financial together. Cooperation in security
framework and the Brexit negotia- The Finnish Presidency strives to and defence strengthens solidarity
tions. The Presidency strives to up- create a long-term strategy for among and equality between the
hold the rule of law in the entire Eu- growth, competitiveness and job Member States. ■
ropean Union. Transparency, better creation, including a functioning
regulation, involvement of citizens single market, a promotion of the
and respect for the principles of service sector, gender equality and EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL
subsidiarity and proportionality are the protection of a rule-based sys- POLICY, HEALTH AND
important points on the Presiden- tem for international trade. CONSUMER AFFAIRS
cy’s agenda. In addition, Finland is Finland prioritises a healthy bank-
committed to fight corruption and ing sector and a well-functioning With the European economy ex-
promote inclusiveness and equali- financial single market as the basis panding and employment increas-
ty in the EU. ■ for any economic growth. Tools in- ing, the EU is facing a new chal-
clude a fully-fledged banking un- lenge: shortages of skilled workers.
ion, a crisis management system, a Thus, the EU needs a future-orient-
FOREIGN AFFAIRS common deposit insurance and the ed strategy for continuous learning,
diversification of risks in the capital taking into account the transforma-
The Presidency is determined to markets. Green finance and instru- tion of work. Employment legisla-
strengthen the EU’s role as key ments to tackle tax evasion/compe- tion and social protection systems
global player. For this reason, the tition are also in the Finnish focus. ■ must also be adapted. The long-
Presidency intends to increase the term goal is to create a European
effectiveness of the EU’s external “super-university” model. In addi-
action instruments. The Finnish JUSTICE AND tion, the Presidency will pay special
Presidency is committed to a rule- HOME AFFAIRS attention to the social inclusion of
based multilateral system. A close young people. Finland wants to en-
partnership with the USA is intend- The EU must comprehensively pro- sure equal opportunities in learning
ed and the EU-Africa partnership is tect and enhance common values digital skills regardless of social or
to be intensified. The Presidency like freedom, democracy, the rule economic background. Equality
wants to reflect on the EU’s rela- of law and human rights. Autono- and inclusiveness should be pro-
tionship with China and maintain mous and independent courts as moted in all policy sectors. ■
the EU’s current stance on Russia. well as new tools and mechanisms
#THEUBERSICHT
Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
> POLICY FIELDS
COMPETITIVENESS AGRICULTURE AND account other sectors. Moreover,
FISHERIES the circular economy is to be ad-
The Presidency recognises that vanced. ■
economic growth is key for the Eu- The Finnish Presidency calls for a
ropean welfare model. The crucial Common Agricultural Policy which
basis for this is a functioning inter- can better respond to the challeng- DIGITAL POLICY
nal market based on binding rules es of climate change. Moreover, it
and the highest standards. Mod- is determined to push ahead with The EU should become a global
ern competition, trade and digital the implementation of the UN Con- leader of the digital economy. AI,
policies are essential. The service vention on Biological Diversity and digitalisation as well as big data and
sector has the highest growth the promotion of the sustainable the platform economy serve as the
potential. The Presidency sup- use of natural resources and fos- driving forces behind European pro-
ports the development of innova- ter animal welfare. The Presidency ductivity, growth, and welfare. Eco-
tive and data-based technologies emphasises that a reformed and nomic growth and prosperity can
and business models. EU-internal modernised Common Agricultural only be maintained in the future, if
trade barriers are to be removed Policy must respond to the chal- businesses and industry can use
to strengthen the services sector lenges of food safety, food security, the full potential offered by digi-
as a whole. The Presidency is com- climate change and environmen- tal technologies, e.g. in the health
mitted to bolstering the EU’s trade tal protection. Rural development and mobility sector. Efforts must
agreements to improve access to funding should be based on these be intensified in order to create a
supply chains and global value cre- criteria. ■ competitive, human-driven data
ation for companies. ■ economy through the availability,
interoperability and the use of data.
ENVIRONMENT Data economy is seen as a crucial
TRANSPORT, basis for the development of digi-
TELECOMMUNICATIONS The Finnish Presidency is deter- tal services, digital businesses and
AND ENERGY mined to further combat climate new technologies. ■
change under the Paris Agreement.
The transport sector is a crucial It emphasises that this will promote
growth market. Integrated digital economic and sustainable growth,
solutions and business models are the protection of the environment
to be promoted in order to increase and competitiveness in Europe. It
the efficiency of the system and will continue to facilitate the pro-
reduce emissions. The goal must cess and define the key elements
be a functioning, modern network of the EU’s long-term climate strat-
that is CO2-free and contributes egy in the European Council by the
to meeting the climate targets. In end of 2019. A key objective is the
addition, the Presidency intends to integration of climate aspects in
promote technologies such as au- all policy sectors. A focus will be
tonomous driving as well as Mobili- on the work on plastics and waste
ty as a Service (MaaS). ■ avoidance, while also taking into
#THEUBERSICHT
Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
FURTHER INFORMATION
EUROPEAN INTEREST EURACTIV RELEVANT EVENTS
13 JUN 2019 26 MAR 2019 Click here for a list of relevant
The fight against climate change Lawmakers, stakeholders see events
high on Finnish presidency agenda delivering economics of well-being
as next health challenge
EURACTIV
13 JUN 2019 EU OBSERVER
EU leaders aim for final climate 28 JUN 2019
deal ‘in early 2020’ Finland’s EU Presidency wants to
push rule of law
EMERGING EUROPE
13 JUN 2019 EURACTIV
Finnish EU presidency vows to 27 JUN 2019
increase pressure on Hungary Finland softens opposition to
eurozone budget as it takes over
EU Presidency
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