Informal meeting of ministers for European affairs to focus on EU enlargement and rule of law

Informal meeting of ministers for European affairs to focus on EU enlargement and rule of law

The Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold an informal meeting of ministers for European affairs in Copenhagen on 1-2 September. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

In the first working session of the meeting, the ministers will discuss EU enlargement together with representatives from the applicant countries. The second working session will focus on ways to strengthen the rule of law in the EU. The meeting will end with a working lunch, where discussions will focus on the EU's internal reforms with a view to enlargement.

The Union's Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policies aim to promote peace, prosperity, stability and security in Europe and its neighbouring areas. Finland welcomes the development of gradual integration, which would give candidate countries some of the concrete benefits of EU membership during negotiations. Supporting enlargement protects the EU's neighbouring areas, especially from destabilising actions perpetrated by Russia. At the same time, the enlargement process requires that the EU be willing to reform.

"Enlargement is a significant geopolitical issue for Finland and the EU. Finland advocates for a credible enlargement policy based on EU membership criteria, with special emphasis on the importance of democratic institutions and rule of law reforms," said Minister Strand.

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.

"In Finland's view, it is essential that the EU's next multiannual financial framework and all other EU funding be subject to as strong conditionality as possible, at least the current level, including conditionality linked to compliance with the rule of law. The Union's financial interests must be protected effectively," Minister Strand said.

The purpose of informal ministerial meetings is to foster free discussion on general issues. No formal decisions are made at the meetings.

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