Permanent Secretary Kivimäki to advocate for inclusion of Finland’s objectives in Commission’s work programme on visit to Brussels

Permanent Secretary Minna Kivimäki will visit Brussels on 1–3 April 2024. There, she will take part in the Connecting Europe Days event and meet with representatives from Directorates-General of the European Commission. 

The Connecting Europe Days event is being organised by the European Commission and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event, which brings together more than 2,500 participants from the EU Member States and neighbouring third countries, is a key annual forum for EU transport policy.

In connection with the event, Kivimäki will attend a meeting of senior officials from the transport ministries of the EU Member States, where they will review the Member States’ positions on the transport priorities that should be included in the next Commission’s work programme. They will also discuss how ensure success in the transport sector when it comes to EU enlargement and connections with neighbouring countries.

During her visit, Kivimäki will also meet with representatives from two Directorates-General of the European Commission.  Discussions will especially focus on the European Commission’s forthcoming work programme, which Finland wants to influence.

A future-proof European transport system, as envisioned by Finland, will be built using the twin green and digital transitions. The Commission should promote the digital transition at all levels of the transport system, from infrastructure and data to services.

Another priority for Finland is making the EU a more competitive and stronger market. Finland wants the next Commission to especially strive to transform the EU from a regulatory powerhouse into a superpower of digital growth.

Finland would also like to see the EU take on a stronger global role in digital and technology policy.

Inquiries:

Jani Haapsaari, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 067, [email protected]