Minister Puisto to attend High-Level Eastern Border Conference in Vilnius

Minister Puisto to attend High-Level Eastern Border Conference in Vilnius

Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto will represent Finland at a high-level conference on economic resilience and security of the EU's eastern border in Vilnius on 24 April 2026.

Puisto will participate in a panel discussion with EU commissioners and ministers from Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to discuss challenges posed to the EU's eastern border countries by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission will be represented by Executive Vice-President Raffaelo Fitto, responsible for the EU's regional and structural policy, and Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space. The panel will address the impacts of the invasion on the economy, critical infrastructure and public security, including the current situation on hybrid threats from Russia.

The unpredictable behaviour of Russia and the volatile geopolitical situation have increased security risks and weakened the economic outlook for the regions at the EU's eastern border. The conference aims to find ways to develop EU funding mechanisms that can support the Member States on the eastern border to respond to the changed security and operating environment and to strengthen the long-term resilience of the regions.

"It is necessary to review the current EU funding instruments so that they will reflect better the deteriorating security and operating environment at the eastern border. Finland therefore considers it important that all relevant eastern border regions be included in the predefined support areas that can benefit from targeted aid," says Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.

In addition, Finland emphasises that the funding from the Home Affairs Funds must have enough flexibility to allow it to be used for boosting the vitality of border regions. Keeping Finland's border regions inhabited is a key element of comprehensive security.

"We would like to see integrated, long-term investments and funding models at EU level to help transform these vulnerable border regions into resilient engines of sustainable growth and development. At the same time, it is essential for our citizens to see that the EU provides concrete support to all regions during exceptional circumstances and acts in solidarity with its Member States," Puisto adds.

During his visit in Vilnius, Minister Puisto will also have bilateral discussions with Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Minister of Finance of Lithuania, and Gediminas Šimkus, Chair of the Board of Lithuania's Central Bank, on current economic and security issues.

Inquiries:
Lars Aikala, Special Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 295 047 330
Petri Haapalainen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 064 922