Ministers for European affairs to discuss next multiannual financial framework and rule of law

Ministers for European affairs to discuss next multiannual financial framework and rule of law

The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Monday 17 November. The main themes of the meeting will be the EU's next multiannual financial framework, the annual rule of law dialogue and preparations for the December European Council. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

The GAC will hold a policy debate on the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 with a focus on the first heading. The Commission's proposal would merge the Common Agricultural Policy, Cohesion Policy and Home Affairs funds under this heading into a single Partnership Fund. This would also mean switching from several programmes to one National and Regional Partnership (NRP) plan to guide the use of funding at the national level.

"Finland supports the overall objectives of the Commission's proposal, such as the stronger focus on defence and competitiveness. We are also strongly in favour of the Commission's objective of reforming and simplifying the current, very complex structure of the financial framework. Merging individual programmes into a single national plan is a key element of the simplification process and would lead to synergy benefits. The reform of the financial framework and a strong agricultural policy are not mutually exclusive," says Minister Strand.

The Commission's proposal also stresses the importance of safeguarding food production from the perspective of security of supply, which is in line with Finland's objectives. Finland considers it important to safeguard the conditions for profitable agriculture in all EU Member States. With regard to the common agricultural policy, Finland aims for the best possible receipts as our natural conditions are less favourable than those of other Member States.

Finland considers it justified to reduce the amount of cohesion funding proposed by the Commission. However, the special funding for Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPAs) should also be secured going forward.

Finland considers it important for the financial framework to take into account the special situation of Finland's regions on the EU's eastern external border due to the changed security environment and the socioeconomic challenges it indirectly causes. Particular attention should be paid to Finland's unique position as a Member State on the EU's eastern external border and a net contributor to the EU budget.

The General Affairs Council will continue its annual rule of law dialogue based on the Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report with discussions on the rule of law situations in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Ireland and Germany. With respect to rule of law issues, Finland will continue its long-standing policy aiming to promote the rule of law and the fight against corruption in the EU.

The GAC will begin preparations for the December European Council by holding a discussion on the Council's agenda. Items on the agenda for the European Council on 18-19 December include Ukraine, the Middle East, the next multiannual financial framework, EU enlargement and migration, as well as the geoeconomy and competitiveness.

The Commission will also present to the Council its work programme for 2026, and the Council will exchange views on the matter.

In addition, the GAC will take stock of the state of play of EU-UK relations after receiving a briefing on the matter from Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič.
After the meeting, Minister Strand will attend a discussion event in Brussels marking the 30th anniversary of Finland's, Sweden's and Austria's accession to the EU. Along with Minister Strand, participants in the discussion will include President of the European Council António Costa, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz and Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Claudia Plakolm.

In the General Affairs Council (GAC), the EU Member States are primarily represented by their ministers for European affairs. The tasks of the GAC include preparations for the European Council meetings. The GAC is also responsible for a number of cross-cutting policy areas, including negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and EU enlargement. Questions related to the rule of law are also an established part of the GAC's agenda.

Inquiries: Heli Siivola, Senior Specialist for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 576 7745, Alexander Lång, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 160 866, Prime Minister's Office