EU cooperation

The goals of the EU energy policy are sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply. These goals are also consistent with Finland’s national targets. The purpose of the common EU energy policy is to achieve competitive energy prices, secure energy supply under all conditions and reduce the environmental impact of the energy sector.

In Finland, the energy issues handled Europe-wide by the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE) are the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The TTE Council meets at an assembly of energy ministers approximately three times a year. In addition, each member state holding the presidency of the Council of the EU has usually organised one unofficial meeting of energy ministers during its six-month presidency. The Council meetings address all issues related to EU energy policy, excluding nuclear energy. Together with the European Parliament, the Council passes acts concerning the activities of the energy market.

Euratom, the European research programme for nuclear research and training, was founded in 1957 to promote the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in Europe. Euratom has almost the same legislative power as the European Union, although some of its decision-making procedures are different. Matters relating to Euratom are decided by the General Affairs Council. Within the framework of Euratom, the EU states have passed several legal acts concerning, for example, nuclear safeguards and radiation and nuclear safety.

Further information:

riku.huttunen(at)gov.fi, energy policy
eero.karjalainen(at)gov.fi, Energy Council
liisa.heikinheimo(at)gov.fi, Euratom