Tiina Ferm: Hybrid threats – a challenge to Europe
22.10.2019 9.50
Ministry of the Interior
Column
The purpose of hybrid influencing activities is to erode citizens’ trust in democracy and European values and to undermine the unity of the EU. Such activities may take the form of attempts to interfere in elections, manipulation of social media and cyber attacks aimed at paralysing public services – without forgetting the Salisbury poisoning incident. These rapidly evolving hybrid threats pose a long-term challenge, and Finland’s Presidency has made considerable efforts to prepare for and combat them.
Juhani Korhonen: Towards human-centred digital administration
21.10.2019 8.33
Ministry of Finance
Column
Digitalisation is one of the key topics of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Our objective is to strengthen digitalisation in public administration to support European competitiveness and sustainable growth. In particular, we want to focus attention on human-centred digital administration.
Milla Kouri: Classification of sustainable investments making headway in the EU
17.10.2019 8.45
EU2019FI
Ministry of Finance
Column
If investors were able to compare the sustainability of different investments, they could contribute to mitigating climate change through the investment decisions they make. To facilitate such comparisons, the EU has devised a classification system for sustainable investments. During its Presidency of the Council of the EU, Finland has advanced the creation of the system.
Li Andersson: Spotlight on vocational education and training during European Vocational Skills Week
14.10.2019 15.40
Ministry of Education and Culture
Column
The main event of the European Vocational Skills Week 2019 will be held in Finland, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event week provides a splendid opportunity to bring positive visibility for vocational education and training and to have discussions between experts on further development in the field.
Kimmo Kohvakka: Finnish concept of comprehensive security – a source of ideas for rescue services cooperation in Europe
9.10.2019 9.28
EU2019FI
Ministry of the Interior
Column
European cooperation in the field of rescue services and civil emergency preparedness is becoming more crucial in the changing operating environment in Europe. The consequences of climate change, for example, are concretely visible in the practical work of the European authorities responsible for rescue and preparedness. Extreme weather phenomena, such as floods, storms and drought, are on the increase, putting the crisis resilience of societies to the test.
Olli-Pekka Rantala: We need sustainable digital mobility services
7.10.2019 9.18
EU2019FI
Ministry of Transport and Communications
Column
The connection between transport and communications has made transport digital. Large amounts of data are already needed, for example, for navigation, ticket and payment transactions and for enabling automation. The utilisation of information is not an end in itself, but rather what is achieved with it. Does the combination of data and transport produce more sustainable services that meet the needs of consumers?
Liisa Leppävirta: “The future of the EU is at stake” – How to improve transparency in the European Union?
2.10.2019 16.30
EU2019FI
Ministry of Justice
Column

Promoting openness and transparency in the European Union has been a crucial issue for Finland throughout its EU membership. When joining the EU, Finland submitted a declaration to the Accession Treaty stating that as a member of the EU it would continue to apply the principle of open government, including public access to official records, inherent to its national administrative culture. This principle has guided Finland’s actions in the EU for more than 20 years now.
Pasi-Heikki Vaaranmaa: Upholding the international trade system
30.9.2019 13.23
EU2019FI
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Column
The multilateral trading system based around the World Trade Organization (WTO) is still in serious trouble. Unilateral trade measures and the rise of protectionism are undermining the organisation. Trade negotiations have not progressed as desired and it has not been possible to reform the WTO’s rulebook.
Ulla Närhi: Well-functioning healthcare services support the wellbeing of Europeans
26.9.2019 16.50
Healthcare systems in Finland and across Europe are facing similar challenges. How to organise healthcare and social services for the rapidly ageing population? Or, how to identify and harness innovation to ensure people’s wellbeing?
Tuuli Orasmaa: What the sauna can teach us about soil carbon sequestration
19.9.2019 11.25
EU2019FI
Column
The main topic of the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Agriculture is soil carbon sequestration as a climate action in agriculture. Delegates should think of the meeting as if they’re going into a traditional Finnish smoke sauna, a wood-heated, chimneyless sauna hut: head slightly bowed – the doorways are small in old saunas – and hands fumbling in the dark to guide them. But decidedly taking steps towards something new.
Veli-Mikko Niemi: 'Economy of Wellbeing' offers EU policy-makers a new mindset
16.9.2019 9.32
EU2019FI
Column
One of the main objectives of the European Union is to promote the wellbeing of its citizens. However, many still see the EU as little more than an economic union and a single market. Has the EU forgotten the human element? Would it be possible to forge a stronger link between the economy and people’s wellbeing?
Jaakko Weuro: Preparing for hybrid threats in the financial sector
12.9.2019 9.02
Ministry of Finance
Column
A well-oiled financial system keeps the wheels of the economy turning. This means that a strike against critical points in the financial system could bring society to its knees. Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU aims to put the issue of new threats to the financial market and ways to counter them on the political agenda.
Tarja Mankkinen: Violent radicalisation is a joint challenge for the whole of Europe
10.9.2019 14.11
Ministry of the Interior
Column
Violent radicalisation and the rise in the activities of extremist movements are a challenge that the whole of Europe shares. It is also a cross-border threat. Extremist movements aim to instil fear and insecurity, and their activities undermine people’s trust in society. Extremist movements advocate ideologies that run counter to the European Union’s fundamental values.
Kaisa Tiusanen: Common rules ensure safe sailing for the EU
6.9.2019 13.04
EU2019FI
Ministry of Justice
Column
Common values are strongly highlighted in the Strategic Agenda 2019–2024 of the EU, which states that they are the foundation of freedom, security and prosperity in Europe. Nevertheless, in the EU and beyond, we have seen that the foundations of society can be eroded by problems relating to respect of fundamental rights and the rule of law and to the functioning of democracy.
Matti Nissinen: EU foreign ministers will meet in Helsinki at a crucial time for the EU’s institutions
27.8.2019 12.43
EU2019FI
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Column

From the perspective of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, Finland’s Presidency of the Council coincides with a most interesting point of time.
Tuomas Koskenniemi: Artificial intelligence and climate change also defence topics in the EU
26.8.2019 16.56
EU2019FI
Ministry of Defence
Column
Good headway has been made in EU defence cooperation. New initiatives have been launched, and old structures have been modernised. While in the past EU defence matters were handled by initiated experts only, in recent years they have become topics of discussion at meetings of top leaders.
Silver Economy Forum highlights impact of ageing on EU agenda
26.7.2019 11.52
EU2019FI
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Column
Demographic change is regularly cited as the bugbear of modern society. The debate on ageing often revolves around the unbalanced dependency ratio and the cost of long-term care, passing over the fine achievement of increased longevity.
Anna-Maja Henriksson: Common EU justice area – 20 years of work for safe and smooth everyday life
17.7.2019 14.07
EU2019FI
Ministry of Justice
Column

At the time of Finland’s first Presidency of the Council of the European Union 20 years ago, the EU heads of state or government made a major policy decision. They decided to develop the EU as an area of freedom, security and justice.
Riku Huttunen: Energy Union and climate neutral solutions priorities for Energy Council
12.7.2019 14.11
EU2019FI
Column
In terms of energy policy, Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU will focus on the implementation of legislation. The Presidency will also have an opportunity to lay down long-term policies especially on climate issues.
Outi Honkatukia: EU’s climate leadership rests on reliability and commitment to lead by example
10.7.2019 11.33
EU2019FI
Column
The climate leaders have changed since the Paris Agreement was signed. Now, small island states are leading the way; the European Union, China and Canada are leading the way; cities and businesses are leading the way. Even schoolchildren have gone on strike to lead the way. In other words, even smaller actors can be leaders in climate policy. This is good news for the EU, too.