The EU Competitiveness Council will meet in Brussels on 28 and 29 November, chaired by Minister of Employment Timo Harakka and Minister of Economic Affairs Katri Kulmuni.

More than 99% of companies in the EU are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The high percentage shows that SMEs play an integral role as creators of prosperity and growth across Europe. On 25–27 November, Helsinki will play host to SME Assembly 2019, the most significant event of the year for SMEs in Europe and the main event of the European SME week. The event is organised by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the European Commission.

Minister of Employment Timo Harakka will present the priorities of Finland's Presidency to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) of the European Parliament in Brussels on 24 July 2019, together with Finnish Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen.

“Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting in July, is an excellent opportunity to become actively engaged in the future of the EU debate,” says Jari Gustafsson, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment