Minister of Economic Affairs Puisto to attend Competitiveness Council meeting in Dublin

An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for competitiveness (internal market and industry) will be held in Dublin on 9–10 July 2026. Finland will be represented by Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.

The ministers will discuss current issues related to the EU’s strategic competitiveness and the ways to improve it. The first item on the agenda will focus on the financing gap of Europe’s small and medium-sized companies and how to channel to growth enterprises more private funding from Europe. After that, the ministers will debate industrial decarbonisation, in particular through energy systems and electricity grids. 

Finland emphasises that the rules should be eased in order to improve the availability and price of funding, while ensuring the stability of the financial markets at the same time. Enhancing equity financing for growth companies is important for innovation, technological development and economic growth.

Finland’s position on achieving the energy efficiency targets is guided by technology neutrality. As part of this, Finland promotes the role of nuclear energy as a carbon-free form of energy. Cost-effective, technology neutral and market-determined clean energy offers a competitive advantage for the EU. 

From Finland’s perspective, the Member States should primarily develop electricity generation and the grids through market-based investments. However, the EU’s energy policy should also take the security of supply and emergency aspects into consideration. 

Inquiries:
Julia Kerkelä, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 307