Minister Ranne to the EU Transport and Telecommunications Council: better safety for roads and information networks

The EU Transport and Telecommunications Council will convene in Luxembourg from 5 to 6 June 2025. Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne will represent Finland at the meeting.

Traffic safety at the top of the Transport Council’s agenda

Roadworthiness package aims to increase safety

The transport ministers will hold a policy debate on the Roadworthiness Package. The Package includes proposed amendments to the Roadworthiness Directive and the Directive on technical roadside inspections, as well as a proposal for a new Directive on vehicle registration documents. On 28 May 2025, the Finnish Government submitted a Union communication on the proposal to Parliament.

The Commission’s proposal aims to reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents, promote sustainable mobility, mitigate the environmental impacts of transport, and facilitate cross-border traffic and trade. As a rule, Finland welcomes the proposals.

“Improving traffic safety is important for our ministry and also for me personally. However, measures must be effective and not increase bureaucracy or costs. For example, we have consistently opposed the compulsory inspection of motorcycles, which would not be a solution but a burden in Finland’s conditions. We will continue our persistent advocacy work to ensure that we can continue to deviate from the inspection obligation at the national level, Minister Ranne says.

The ministers will take note of a progress report on the Weights and Dimensions Directive, and the related negotiations will continue under the leadership of Denmark, which will serve as the next chair.

Finland will continue to actively influence the negotiations on the proposals to ensure that their outcome will take into account national special features to pursue Finland’s best interest.

Reforming rights of air passengers

The Transport Council seeks to establish political consensus on the Air Passengers Rights Regulation. It establishes rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations or long delays of flights.

Finland is in favour of reforming the regulation, as its application has involved various interpretation problems. Finland considers it important that the regulation strikes a reasonable balance between passenger rights and the obligations of air carriers.

Telecommunications Council focuses on cybersecurity and secure communications

Strengthening cyber security with a united EU front

The Telecommunications Council aims to issue a Council Recommendation on an EU framework for cybersecurity crisis management (so-called Cyber Blueprint). 

Finland considers it important that cybersecurity is strengthened through joint EU action and can accept the Council Recommendation.

The recommendation will specify the management of large-scale cybersecurity incidents and crises in the EU and clarify the tasks and interactions of different actors at different stages of the crisis management life cycle. The recommendation also aims to increase joint cybersecurity exercises both within the EU and with NATO and to strengthen civilian and military cooperation in cyber crisis management.

Demands for the reliability and security of communications connections 

The Telecommunications Council aims to adopt conclusions on trustworthy and reliable communications. Finland supports measures to strengthen the security of digital and terrestrial infrastructure. 

Finland considers it important to promote the rapid construction of high-quality digital infrastruc-ture, i.e. optical fibre and 5G networks, and the early deployment of 6G technology, throughout the EU.

“Finland is a pioneer in both 6G development and communications network policy. Finland is currently preparing its own long-term development plan for communications networks. This TUUTTI project is a major investment in the functioning and safety of society. Functional communications between citizens and companies are also the backbone of security of supply and safety,” says Minister Ranne.

Uniform rules sought for satellite connections

The ministers will have a policy debate on satellite connections as a component of strategic autonomy. The aim is to improve the internal market for satellite frequencies and to harmonise frequency management.

Finland considers it important that the regulation of electronic communications continues to mainly operate on a market and technology neutrality basis. National special circumstances and national security must be taken into account.

Inquiries:

Transport Council:

Petri Lepistö, Planning Officer, tel. +358 295 342 014, petri.lepisto@gov.fi 

Pyry Takala, Director, Transport and Qualifications Unit, tel. +358 295 342 384, pyry.takala@gov.fi

Telecommunications Council:

Emma-Leena Kemppainen, Senior Specialist emma-leena.kemppainen@gov.fi