The following comments were submitted in writing on the 25th and in a hearing on the 26th of November to the Finnish Parliament's Grand Committee regarding Finnish position on the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, the EU's long-term budget.
CLC was pleased to have the opportunity to give a statement to the Finnish Parliament’s Grand Committee on the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 and Finland’s initial positions on the matter.
In its statement, CLC emphasized the following:
- The future financial framework must support solutions to the challenges of decarbonization, EU defense and security, and competitiveness as a whole.
- Increasing the Competitiveness Fund's allocation under the heading Clean transition and Decarbonization from the proposed amount is justified and in line with Finland's objectives.
- The proposal includes a commendable cross-cutting objective of allocating 35% of funding to climate- and environment-friendly activities. It is essential to ensure that this target effectively directs funding towards measures that reduce emissions, remove carbon from the atmosphere, and improve the state of the environment. This requires clear definitions and transparently measurable results.
- European public funding should support the creation of European lead markets for clean solutions in strategically important sectors such as the steel industry, batteries and their recycling, wind power, and clean solutions for the hydrogen economy.
Overall, CLC considers the Commission's proposal for the future financial framework as a step in the right direction. It is more strategic in its priorities and focuses strongly on competitiveness and clean growth, alongside defense and security. The Commission's proposal reforms the financial framework in a positive way. Finland should focus its efforts on supporting positive changes and strategic priorities of the financial framework, rather than its overall level.
Read and download the full statement below (in Finnish).
