Executive Vice-President Fitto in Finland to visit the Eastern border regions and discuss the future of EU Cohesion Policy and the Recovery and Resilience Plan

The Executive Vice-President will start the mission with a visit to the Eastern border zone at Nuijamaa border-crossing, in the South Karelia region, accompanied by State Secretary Risto Artjoki. The visit will be the opportunity to discuss with the regional and local Mayors  the challenges faced by Finland’s Eastern border regions, particularly since the closure of the borders due to the on-going Russian aggression against Ukraine.  

In Helsinki, Executive Vice-Presidente Fitto will meet Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and the Minister for European Affairs Joakim Strand to discuss Finland’s priorities, including increased support to the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas to minimise their structural challenges. A meeting with local representatives hosted by Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen and joined by the Mayors of Espoo and Vantaa, Kai Mykkanen and Pekka Timomen, is expected to tackle the EU’s Urban Agenda and the role of cities in fostering sustainable development and innovation.

On Friday, Executive Vice-President Fitto will hold meetings with Agriculture Minister Sari Essayah and Economic Affairs Minister Wille Rydman, for discussions on the role of Cohesion Policy and the RFF in addressing challenges faced by border regions and vulnerable areas.