The European Union is a community of values
Freedom of speech, democracy and human rights do not come about by themselves. They must be courageously defended and cherished. In politics, the most important thing for me is that Finland and Finns get on and succeed in the world as part of Europe. Based on these principles – defending European values and promoting the success of Finns – I work in the European Parliament.
Research and science, energy and movement!
I am a member of the largest political party in the European Parliament, the centre-right European People’s Party. I am a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), a substitute of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and a substitute of the Committee on Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS). In addition, I am a member of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with South Africa and a substitute of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula.
The key themes of the ITRE Committee this term are the construction of an energy union, the promotion of sustainable climate policy, the creation of growth and jobs and the formation of digital single markets. In terms of Finland, the agenda often focuses on our natural resources, wood and the mind: how can sustainable forestry be promoted in Europe, how can we cut emissions without compromising economic growth and how can we create new, highly skilled jobs and innovations in Europe.
In the Committee on Transport and Tourism, I work on behalf of the European transport area. One of the fundamental freedoms in the EU, the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, needs functional, cross-border and fast connections. The investments in transport infrastructure should be targeted to projects that promote the flow of traffic throughout Europe, the single markets and economic growth. In the Committee on Transport, I draw attention to the possibilities of new technologies in transport. Intelligent Transport Systems and environmentally friendly fuels are the future, and Finland and Europe should be at the forefront of their development in the world.
Cooperation across party lines
In addition to committees and delegations, I work in several parliamentary networks across party lines. Bioeconomy, the digital market, animal welfare, issues related to the Baltic Sea region, the position of children and the promotion of SMEs are at the top of my agenda.
Follow my work
My speeches, reports, statements and other work are updated on the Parliament’s website. The most recent ones are listed below.
Debates - Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (debate) - Henna Virkkunen - Wednesday, 13 September 2023 - Strasbourg - Provisional edition
September 14, 2023Debates - SME Relief Package (debate) - Henna Virkkunen - Wednesday, 13 September 2023 - Strasbourg - Provisional edition
September 14, 2023Video of an MEP's speech - SME Relief Package (debate) - Henna Virkkunen - Wednesday, 13 September 2023 - 19:18 - Strasbourg
September 14, 2023Video of an MEP's speech - Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (debate) - Henna Virkkunen - Wednesday, 13 September 2023 - 17:26 - Strasbourg
September 13, 2023
