Minister Ranne attending EU Transport Council: port and maritime industry strategies to be outlined

The EU Transport and Telecommunications Council will convene in Luxembourg on 8-9 June 2026. Finland will be represented by Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne on the Transport Council, and by State Secretary Marjo Lindgren on the Telecommunications Council.

The Transport Council meeting on 8 June is due to adopt Council conclusions on the EU Ports Strategy. This strategy identifies ports as critical infrastructure and as industrial hubs for the EU. Finland stresses that infrastructure development will boost competitiveness, military mobility and the overall security of the entire EU. Finland is ready to approve the Council conclusions.

“As an icebound island for practical purposes, Finland fundamentally relies on open sea lanes and icebreaking. We are also a frontline country for the EU and NATO in the north, so strengthening Finland's accessibility and ports is important for the entire EU. Ports are an element of EU critical infrastructure whose functionality and safety must be ensured, even under emergency conditions,” explains Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

The Council is also expected to adopt Council conclusions on the EU maritime industrial strategy. As a maritime-driven economy, Finland depends on sea transport under all circumstances. With intensifying global competition, Finland stresses the importance of ensuring the competitiveness of the European shipping industry and the attractiveness of Member State flags. Finland is ready to approve the Council conclusions.

The Transport Council will discuss emission reduction measures in the transport sector after 2030. Finland stresses consistency in EU climate policy, reliability of investment in clean technology, and the importance of adequate impact assessments to ensure competitiveness and citizen purchasing power. It is important to Finland that maritime transport emission reduction measures acknowledge the needs of winter navigation.

The Transport Council will be advised of the Chair's progress report concerning a regulation on clean corporate vehicles. This regulation is part of a broader EU automotive industry package that seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive industry and accelerate emis-sion reductions in the motor vehicle stock.

Declaration to promote road testing of autonomous vehicles

There are plans in the context of the Transport Council meeting to sign a joint declaration promoting European automated driving. The aim is to introduce cross-border, harmonised licensing and approval procedures in the EU to facilitate the testing of automated vehicle driving systems on public roads. Finland will be a party to the declaration.

Telecommunications Council: Corporate wallets to facilitate transactions

The EU Telecommunications Council on 9 June is due to adopt a general view on the European Business Wallet. The goal is to establish common legislation for European business wallets with a view to simplifying transactions between businesses and public administration, and between undertakings. Finland stresses the importance of arm's length criteria when providing business wallets. The ease of use and security of business wallets are also important to Finland. Finland is ready to approve the general view.

The Telecommunications Council will also discuss strengthening cooperation between the EU and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and technological sovereignty in European public administration.

It will also receive the Chair's progress report on the Digital Networks Act (DNA). This seeks to modernise and simplify regulation of EU communication networks, and to boost the efficiency of spectrum use. The Council will take note of the Presidency's progress report on a reform of the cybersecurity regulation that seeks to strengthen EU cybersecurity.

Inquiries:

Transport Council: Senior Specialist Petri Lepistö, tel. +358 29 534 2014, [email protected]

Telecommunications Council: Senior Specialist Ilona Julkunen-Rexhepi, tel. +358 29 534 2754, [email protected]