The Sámi Parliament met with Members of the European Parliament from the Renew Europe Group
The Sámi Parliament met with representatives of the European Parliament’s Renew Europe group in Saariselkä on the 27th of March as part of the group’s visit to Finland. The Sámi Parliament was represented at the meeting by President Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, Executive Board member Asko Länsman, member Leena Niittyvuopio-Jämsä and Secretary for International Affairs Inka Saara Arttijeff.
Representatives of the Renew Europe group, the Sámi Parliament and the Swedish People’s Party of Finland in Sápmi in Saariselkä on 27.3.2026. Photo: Renew Europe.
The meeting discussed current issues concerning the Sámi, with emphasis on the impact of EU decision-making on Sámi rights, the Sámi languages, natural resources, traditional livelihoods and climate change adaptation. The discussions also highlighted Sámi participation rights in the EU and the need to strengthen direct dialogue between EU and Sámi institutions. The themes of Renew Europe’s visit were security and preparedness, which were also discussed in the meeting.
-It is important that European decision-makers visit Sápmi and become familiar in-person with the Sámi way of life, the Sámi languages and traditional livelihoods, says President of the Sámi Parliament Pirita Näkkäläjärvi.
The Sámi Parliament pointed out that, although EU regulation and funding instruments have a significant impact on the Sámi homeland, the Sámi currently do not have sufficient opportunities to participate in EU decision-making on matters that concern them.
-EU affairs are one of the Sámi Parliament’s key priorities in the current term. The EU affects the daily lives of the Sámi, but the Sámi Parliament does not have the opportunity to influence EU decision-making, even though the Sámi are the only Indigenous People in the EU area. We are trying to change that, says Näkkäläjärvi.
-The Sámi Parliament considers it important that visits to Sápmi by EU decision-makers continue and that dialogue deepens over the long term, Näkkäläjärvi continues.
The discussions also addressed concrete ways to strengthen the position of the Sámi in the EU, such as closer cooperation with the European Parliament and the development of more permanent participation mechanisms.
Member of the European Parliament Anna-Maja Henriksson emphasised the importance of dialogue.
-It is important that the Sámi are heard in the EU on their own terms and that cooperation with the Sámi Parliament is strengthened. I am particularly pleased that our historically large delegation of more than 20 MEPs visited Northern Finland and met with representatives of the Sámi Parliament.
-I have deliberately worked to ensure that Sámi voices are heard more strongly in Brussels as well. Our discussion made a great impression on my colleagues, and many of them left here with a deeper understanding of the living conditions of the Sámi and the challenges the Sámi face today, Henriksson continues.
In Finland, the Swedish People’s Party of Finland and the Centre Party of Finland belong to the Renew Europe Group. Among the Finnish Members of the European Parliament, the group includes Anna-Maja Henriksson (Swedish People’s Party of Finland), Katri Kulmuni (Centre Party) and Elsi Katainen (Centre Party), all of whom took part in the visit.
More information:Inka Saara Arttijeff
Secretary for International Affairs
+358 50 5747629
inka-saara.arttijeff@samediggi.fi
