MFA: EU ministers of foreign affairs to discuss transatlantic relations and Western Balkans and meet with US Envoy for Climate

At its meeting in May, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will focus on the transatlantic relations and areas of cooperation that the EU should promote in the collaboration with the new US administration. The United States’ commitment to the transatlantic and European security is a significant matter, and Finland supports the launch of the EU-US Security and Defence Dialogue. Closer cooperation between the EU and the United States in the response to such global challenges as climate change is also of vital importance for Finland. The foreign ministers will also have a discussion with US Envoy for Climate John Kerry via remote connections. They will handle various topics, including Arctic cooperation.

The ministers will hold a discussion on developments in the Western Balkans and the EU’s role in the region. It is in the interest of the EU and Finland that stability in the region be secured. Finland emphasises that it is essential to stick to the perspective of EU membership, because the reforms that must be met to fulfil the membership criteria benefit the citizens even prior to the actual EU membership. It is important that the membership process of for example Albania and North Macedonia proceeds. Additionally, the EU’s considerable support during the COVID-19 pandemic should be made more visible in the countries of the region.

Topical themes of discussion at the meeting will include, among other things, the situation in Afghanistan, Belarus and Russia.

Inquiries:
Matti Nissinen, European Correspondent, tel. +358 295 351 780

The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi