The EU leaders will decide on the next strategic agenda after the European Parliament elections in June. The regions of Southern Finland have agreed on their joint EU election goals, which focus on economy, research and innovation as well as infrastructure. All these must be strengthened taking into account the changes in geopolitical environment, energy transformation and climate change.
The regions of Southern Finland also underline more nuanced approach in the EU’s regional policy. This means taking more into account specific features of different regions and strengthening the role of regional actors at the EU level.
Southern Finland as a driving force
Southern Finland consists of five regions, stretching from Southwest to Southeast, from the sea and archipelago to the eastern external border. Southern Finland is both geopolitically as well as economically strategic region. It’s the driving force of Finland’s economy representing about a half of Finland’s gross domestic product, population, goods’ export and labor force. Southern Finland is a strong player with respect to climate change mitigation, research and innovation as well as in developing solutions to green and digital transition.
Southern Finland has a strong desire to be a pioneer in the global green transition. The 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 – mission includes six Finnish cities. Of these five come from Southern Finland, namely Espoo, Helsinki, Lahti, Lappeenranta and Turku.
The European Innovation Scoreboard places us on top of the scale, as innovation leaders.
We are also ahead of many other parts of Europe when it comes to peoples’ digital skills, technology uptake in business as well as in e-government (ie people obtaining government information online).
The EU agenda of the Southern Finland
Program of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government states that the European Union is Finland’s most important political and economic frame of reference and community of values. Finland has been a member of the European Union almost three decades. During this time, we have been active, pragmatic and results-oriented EU Member State. Our goal has been to promote growth, stability and security in Europe.
The EU leaders will decide on the next strategic agenda after the European Parliament elections in June. In its meeting on 17 January, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s policy priorities for the 2024–2029 EU parliamentary term. These priorities are strengthening Europe’s strategic competitiveness, improving comprehensive security in Europe and promoting a clean transition and the bioeconomy and circular economy.
Competitiveness, security and green transition, play a pivotal role also in the development of the Southern Finland. The regions of Southern Finland have agreed on their joint EU election goals, which focus on economy, research and innovation as well as infrastructure. All these must be strengthened, taking into account the changes in geopolitical environment, energy transformation and climate change.
The regions of Southern Finland also underline more nuanced approach in the EU’s regional policy making. This means taking more into account specific features of different regions and strengthening the role of regional actors at the EU level.
Research, innovation and green transition
We expect the European Union to continue playing the leading role in climate policy, while taking into account national and regional specifications. This will require among other things, investments in research and innovation, reforming the EU economy and updating of the EU’s industrial policy.
High level of EU research and innovation funding combined with possibility for cities and regions to implement pilots form a precondition for successful green transition. More resources are needed to develop clean energy solutions, hydrogen production plants and hydrogen networks, circular and bioeconomy.
We should also increase solar and wind power production and search for new technical solutions, in order to meet the needs of industries, consumers, even those of defence forces. This challenge does not concern only the areas of the eastern external borders, but also the rest of the Southern Finland as well.
Investing in infrastructure
Investing in infrastructure – transport, energy and digital – is crucial to ensure the vital functions of a society, whether they concern operating environment for businesses, citizens or national defense.
In the EU’s next long- term budget, more funds should be allocated to the CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) – program. In Southern Finland, its crucial to make more effective use of the EU funding specifically for developing both rail and road transport capacity as well as ports. The same applies to developing infrastructure for military mobility.
As a part of green transition, the EU should also continue supporting development of electronic transport infrastructure and alternative energy sources.
More nuanced regional policy
It is likely that the EU’s regional and structural funding will be subject to significant pressure in the EU’s next long-term budget. More funds will be needed to support Ukraine, to prepare for the EU’s enlargement and to redesign the union’s industrial policy.
To ensure effective use of future regional and structural funds, more focus should be put on actual differences and development gaps not only between developed, transition and less developed regions but also on differences within those regions. The EU’s financing support should be directed in such a way that it doesn’t distort competition in similar areas. Moreover, the EU’s future regional funding could reflect also the changed geopolitical situation and the needs of the EU’s external border regions.
Southern Finland supports the use of cohesion funds for the implementation of urban policy based on a fair partnership between the state and cities. The growth generated by a strong urban policy benefits the overall society. It also enables development of areas outside the urban areas.
Niina Pautola-Mol
Regional Mayor
+358 44 077 3010
niina.pautola-mol(a)paijat-hame.fi
