Finland

## General information about the policy process

European policy in Finland is a part of the Parliament of Finland policy. However, the main responsibility for the preparation, monitoring and determination of Finland's position, as well as transposing policies rests with the relevant ministries.

Compared to the other EU Member States, Finland has a unique system for coordinating EU affairs. It is based on outlines issued by the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs, public servant preparation and coordination, and timely informing and involvement of Parliament.

Åland's county government, with Åland being an autonomous region, has the right to be heard by the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs when the subject matter touches Åland.

A permanent mission prepares decisions of the European Union Council based on the instructions of the Finnish government. The permanent mission plays a key role in implementing Finland's EU policy. Close cooperation with the capital city enables an effective division of labor between the mission and the ministries.

After EU policy has been incorporated into the Finnish law framework, it is implemented at the local and regional levels by administrative actors such as the Regional State Administrative Agency (Aluehallintavirasto).

## Main national actors

* Parliament of Finland (eduskunta): https://www.eduskunta.fi/FI/sivut/default.aspx
* Government of Finland & ministeries: https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/frontpage
* Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs (EU-ministerivaliokunta): https://vnk.fi/en/eu/finlands-eu-policy/ministerial-committee

## Relationship between actors

The main responsibility for monitoring, preparation, and defining Finland's positions on EU matters lies with **the competent ministries**. The purpose of the EU coordination system is to ensure that Finland has a coordinated stance, aligned with Finland's general EU policy guidelines, on all matters pending within the EU at their different stages of consideration.

The EU coordination system includes the competent ministries, the EU Ministerial Committee, the EU Affairs Committee, and the EU Subcommittees established by the Committee. The EU Affairs Unit operating in the Prime Minister's Office serves as the secretariat for the EU Ministerial Committee and the EU Affairs Committee.

Special attention is paid to the involvement and timely information of the Parliament in EU affairs as well as the participation and access to information of the government of the Åland Islands.

Finland's permanent EU representation participates in the preparation of EU matters. The permanent representation prepares decisions of the Council of the European Union based on the instructions of the Finnish government. It plays a key role in implementing Finland's EU policy. Close cooperation with the capital city enables an effective division of labor between the representation and the ministries.

In the **Ministerial Committee**, Finland's course of action is determined, including for all official and unofficial meetings of the Council of the European Union. The Prime Minister serves as the chair of the Ministerial Committee.

**The EU Affairs Committee** deals with broad and multi-ministry EU matters, as well as issues on which the subcommittee process has not reached unanimity. Additionally, the committee handles EU court and oversight matters and makes decisions on the appointment of national experts to be sent to EU institutions.

The EU Affairs Committee has established a total of **37 sector-specific preparation subcommittees**.

The coordination of EU affairs in the Finnish Government is managed by the **EU Affairs Unit within the Prime Minister's Office.**

**The Finnish Parliament** participates in the national preparation of decisions made within the EU. EU matters are discussed in the Parliament's Grand Committee, and specialized committees provide opinions on specific topics. Issues related to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy are handled by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

## References

Eurooppa-tiedotus: EU-asioiden käsittely Suomessa (only in Finnish) https://eurooppatiedotus.fi/suomi-ja-eu/eu-asioiden-kasittely-suomessa/

Wikipedia: Åland Islands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%85land\_Islands

*Edustusto ja Euroopan unionin neuvosto - Suomi ulkomailla: Suomen pysyvä edustusto Euroopan unionissa*. (n.d.). Suomi Ulkomailla: Suomen Pysyvä Edustusto Euroopan Unionissa. https://finlandabroad.fi/web/eu/edustusto-ja-euroopan-unionin-neuvosto