Safety, competitiveness and logistical connections. Brussels' concerns now provide a good starting point for promoting EU funding for Finnish transport infrastructure projects, but the ball is in the Finns' court. This became clear in discussions between the Commission's Directorate-General for Transport and RT in March.
"Since Finland is a net payer in the EU, it would be a good idea to think about how Finland could get money out of the EU. Transport is now important in several policy areas in the EU, and funding for it can be applied for from several different instruments," reminds the Deputy CEO and Head of Infrastructure Construction at the Finnish Construction Industry Federation. Paavo Syrjö.
Syrjö was part of RT's delegation to Brussels in March. During the visit, RT met with the EU's Deputy Director-General for Transport Policy Herald RuijtersRuijters works in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Transport. DG Move. The Finnish representatives at the table were RT's board and management team.
The discussions strongly supported the view that now is the time for Finland to act. Transport and efficient logistics are related to the functioning of the EU internal market and economic competitiveness, but also to security and defense capability, as the transport network must also support military mobility when necessary.
Based on what was heard in Brussels, Syrjö laconically outlines the conditions for EU funding: "Finland must have a sufficient budget of its own so that it can also receive co-financing."
The Finnish report serves as a model for others
Ruijters was recognized by the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, the Service Sector Employers' Association Palta and RT for a vision report on Finland's transport connections to the worldThe Commission considers the report's long-term considerations necessary, according to which Finland should further investigate the possibilities of bridge or tunnel connections between Helsinki and Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn, and Vaasa and Umeå.
Ruijters praised, among other things, that he had sent the report as a model for the Italians on how to think big and try to solve the challenges caused by their geographical location. Like Finland, Italy also has transport dependencies due to its special location, which are impossible for an individual EU country to solve alone. When a solution is finally found, the entire Union will benefit from it.
The report by EK, Palta and RT highlighted Finland's dangerous dependence on the vulnerable Baltic Sea and called for the development of fixed connections to the west in particular. Ruijters believes that more attention should also be paid to the Arctic region and connections to the north. He strongly emphasized to the RT delegation the importance of the north for the economy, security and resilience.
Vision glasses on – “Then we’ll get serious”
Ruijters has already In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat reported that the Commission has a positive attitude towards the Finnish business community's transport survey.
There is no promise of rapid EU funding for Finnish transport projects, as the current funding programmes have already been agreed for years to come. However, RT stresses that further studies must proceed during this government term.
"We need to show that we are serious about moving forward so that the window for EU funding can open in due course. When implemented, the projects will be a huge boost to Finland, whether we are talking about jobs during construction or economic benefits after completion," says RT's CEO. Aleksi Randell recalls.
The EK report also proposed extending the European gauge from Sweden to the Finnish side to Oulu, Raahe and Rovaniemi. According to the Commission, the extension to Oulu in particular is militarily important and supports the long-term goal of connecting the rail networks of EU countries.