Policy of the Ministry of Justice for International and EU Activities

The main responsibility of the Ministry of Justice is to ensure the operation of the rule of law. The Ministry’s international and EU activities support the achievement of its impact targets – equal participation rights, a legal order that ensures a favourable operating environment and promotes stability, high-quality law drafting, high-quality legal protection, crime prevention and enforcement of criminal liability as well as systematic renewal.

The objective of the Ministry of Justice’s international and EU activities is to intensify the international and EU cooperation that is carried out to strengthen the development of the rule of law and to promote global responsibility. The cooperation also aims to contribute to the implementation of the Ministry's vision for sustainable development for 2030.

Priorities in the Ministry’s international and EU activities

• We promote the realisation of fundamental and human rights and democracy by actively participating in the efforts of the EU and international organisations to strengthen the shared values. We work for an enabling, clear and predictable legal order.
   
• We participate in the development of judicial cooperation based on the principle of mutual recognition in the EU. The focus is on strengthening trust between the Member States, enhancing cooperation between the authorities and promoting digitalisation.
   
• We invest in multilateral cooperation in the area of justice and international legal assistance, especially within the UN, the OECD, the Council of Europe, the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).
   
• We support the strengthening of the EU’s rule of law instruments and the favourable development of the rule of law, especially in the areas neighbouring Finland and the EU, for example by providing expert assistance, participating in international projects and implementing cooperation programmes.
   
• We contribute to the fight against serious international crime and corruption by participating in the development of effective, well-functioning and proportionate international tools and their application. We promote the realisation of victims’ rights.
   
• We develop and promote judicial cooperation between the Nordic countries within the framework of both the EU and international organisations.
   
• We work to improve our skills and ability to operate effectively both in international and EU forums by developing our expertise and competence.