Contact information in EU affairs
In Finland, a number of different organisations are closely involved in the handling of EU affairs, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Parliament, representations of the European Commission and Parliament in Finland and several NGOs.
Prime Minister's Office
Government Secretariat for EU Affairs
The role of the Government Secretariat for EU Affairs is to coordinate the handling of business relating to the European Union in the ministries. The Secretariat is also responsible for handling key institutional issues relating to the general development of the Union and matters related to amendments to the basic treaties of the European Union. In addition, the Secretariat has a special responsibility, under the supervision of the Prime Minister, for preparation and political coordination of issues to be placed before the European Council.
The Government Secretariat for EU Affairs serves as the secretariat for the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs and the Committee for EU Affairs.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Department for Europe
The Department for Europe comprises six units: Unit for Western Europe, Unit for General EU Affairs and Coordination, Unit for Central and South-Eastern Europe, Unit for EU Enlargement, Unit for Western Balkans and Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation.
The Department for Europe deals with bilateral relations and the EU's external relations, including political, economic, development cooperation, and commercial and trade policy issues. It is also responsible for the management and coordination of the general EU affairs that fall within the competence of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and for issues related to the enlargement of the European Union.
The Unit for General EU Affairs and Coordination is in charge of ensuring the internal coordination of EU Affairs within the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and represents the Ministry in various coordination bodies. The unit also participates, in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office, in the overall development of the EU and in activities related to institutional questions.
General coordination refers to preparation for the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) as well as preparation for Coreper II meetings whenever the matters on the agenda fall within the competence of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Unit for General EU Affairs and Coordination also draws up background memorandums on EU issues for ministerial and senior officials' meetings. Furthermore, the unit deals with horizontal questions, which do not fall within the competence of any other unit (such as the enhancement of external activities and budgetary matters), and the technical coordination of EU matters (including matters related to the European Parliament and legislative initiatives launched by the European Commission).
The Unit for EU Enlargement has overall responsibility for the national preparation and harmonisation of enlargement issues. This includes preparation for enlargement negotiations, with the aim of ensuring that Finland’s views and interests are duly taken into account in the various phases of the negotiation process and that the negotiations proceed as planned. The unit participates in the debate on EU enlargement and is responsible for pre-accession aid for candidate countries and the national coordination of twinning activities.
The Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation is responsible for the planning and coordination of Finland’s Nordic cooperation. The unit’s tasks include preparation and follow-up of Nordic prime ministerial meetings and the meetings of ministers responsible for Nordic cooperation, as well as monitoring of the implementation of recommendations made by the Nordic Council.
Europe Information
Europe Information is the Finnish arm of the EU information service. Europe Information functions independently within the Department for Communication and Culture of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. There are 20 Europe Information units throughout Finland. These units are mainly located in regional libraries and each one is directed by a regional EU information officer.
Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union
The duties of the Brussels-based Permanent Representation include the preparation of the decisions to be made in the Council of the European Union in line with the positions of the Finnish Government. The web pages offer information on, e.g., the services provided by the representation and functioning of the European Union plus a directory with contact information and responsibilities of the personnel.
Parliament
Members and civil servants of the Grand Committee
Members and civil servants of the Foreign Affairs Committee
Parliament uses its legislative and monitoring powers by participating in the national-level preparation of decisions to be taken within the EU. In Parliament, the Grand Committee is responsible for the handling of EU matters and special committees submit opinions to the Grand Committee. Matters relating to the Common Foreign and Security Policy are handled at the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Finnish Members of the European Parliament
Finnish Members of the European Parliament
Finland has 14 representatives in the European Parliament. They were elected with direct elections in June 2004. The next elections will be held in 2009.