Akava, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, Local Government and County Employers KT, Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK and Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK have jointly formulated key objectives for EU policy for the next Finnish Government.

Renewing Europe: Building  Growth and Employment Amid Global Upheaval

Europe matters to Finland now more than ever. Our security environment is in flux, the international rules-based order has moved onto the defensive, and geopolitical volatilities have a direct impact on Finland’s economy and growth prospects. Only a strong, united and capable EU can take responsibility for its own security, promote democracy and human rights, pursue ambitious climate and nature policy, and strengthen its competitiveness and citizens’ well-being. Europe must take significant leaps in integration to build an EU that is economically, technologically and militarily strong and firmly anchored in democratic values.

Our shared messages:

The cornerstones of Europe’s growth are responsible economic policy, productivity growth based on innovation leadership and cutting-edge technology, skills that match labour-market needs, and a good work-life. Europe must believe in itself and make bold choices based on its own strengths. The Finnish success story needs to be rewritten and the country brought out of the EU’s excessive deficit procedure.
Making the EU’s internal market work better is essential for growth and employment. Progress has been very slow, and new barriers are also created along the way. It is important to unlock the internal market’s potential, for example in financial markets and the circular economy. The mobility of services, labour and students should be made smoother, while simultaneously investing—both nationally and at EU level—in tackling shortcomings and abuses.
Resilience and economic security require, alongside competitiveness, that the EU is able to produce a larger share of strategic technologies and products than it currently does. Europe needs more investment, and in this the next multiannual financial framework—through a sizeable European Competitiveness Fund and the Horizon research programme linked to it—will play an important role. Finland has excellent opportunities to benefit from the fund, but that requires funding to be awarded competitively and on the basis of excellence. We need an ambitious competitiveness fund at EU level also so that national competition between Member States through state aid can be avoided and the relaxation of state-aid rules can be rolled back.
Sticking to the goals of the green transition is in the interests of both Europe and Finland. Alongside climate leadership, Europe must invest in energy self-sufficiency. This is crucial for ensuring competitiveness, but also from a security-policy perspective. A predictable and enabling operating environment is important for green growth. Finland has a comparative advantage as a producer of affordable, clean energy and as a provider of clean tech solutions, and this advantage must be fully utilised. Therefore, it is vital to maintain ambitious climate policy, including the EU emissions trading system (ETS). The circular economy must also be promoted, for example by accelerating the internal market for circular solutions, and biodiversity safeguarded, for instance by supporting the development of nature credit markets. People must be kept on board during the transition, and the creation of good jobs promoted.
Europe must not turn inwards but rather strengthen its global role, build international trust and develop more diverse partnerships. New trade agreements must be concluded and finalised, including with Mercosur countries, India, Australia and Indonesia, and relations broadened with Canada and the United Kingdom. Over the longer term, the goal should remain to deepen partnership also with the United States. To reinforce multilateral cooperation, the EU must support the UN system (including the ILO) and the WTO, and reforming them. All actions should be founded on open, rules-based cooperation and the promotion of human rights and sustainable development.
The changing global situation highlights the importance of EU enlargement for Europe’s stability, but the opportunities for the internal market, Euro area enlargement and growth are also significant. It is essential that the EU has the capacity to enlarge and thereby advance its own objectives. Europe has a particular responsibility for Ukraine, and Finland should take a strong role in Ukraine’s reconstruction and the promotion of stability. A successful Ukraine as an EU Member State is the best answer to Russia. We also welcome Iceland and Norway to join the EU, which would strengthen Nordic cooperation as well.
Progress on the rule of law, compliance with the EU’s fundamental values and adherence to Union legislation must be the starting point for enlargement, and the benefits of membership must be realised on the basis of each country’s own achievements. Transition periods can be used to phase in the impact, also concerning the EU budget. Potential problems must be anticipated and addressed preventively. Within the EU’s multiannual financial framework, rule-of-law conditionality must be applied across the board. A Member State that violates the rule of law should be denied voting rights in the Council of Ministers more readily, and, as a last resort, be expelled from the Union.
Strengthening the EU also requires reforms. In a changing operating environment, the Union must be able to take bold decisions to safeguard its capacity to act. The use of qualified majority voting should be expanded, for example in foreign and security policy, and—when necessary—closer cooperation should be advanced also by a smaller group of countries taking the lead first.
A strong Europe is in Finland’s interest. Influencing the EU must be a priority also for Finland’s next government. For all objectives in the next government programme, it should be assessed how to best advance them through EU-level action, including funding opportunities. Efficient EU-advocacy requires proposing solutions proactively, building partnerships, leveraging the expertise and contacts of stakeholders, more effective use of EU funding to support policy objectives, and promoting the recruitment of Finns to EU institutions. It is important to discuss EU policy objectives openly and broadly—not only within central government, but also by engaging stakeholders proactively.

Maria Löfgren
President
Akava

Minna Helle
Director General
Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

Henrika Nybondas-Kangas
CEO
Local Government and County Employers KT

Jarkko Eloranta
President
Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK

Else-Mai Kirvesniemi
President
Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK