The Sámi Parliament in Finland begins to promote its EU goals – representatives in Brussels this week to meet with EU institutions
Representatives of the Sámi Parliament are traveling to Brussels from 13th to 16th of May to promote the Sámi Parliament’s goals related to EU policies. During the visit, representatives of the Sámi Parliament will meet with the representatives of EU institutions and interest groups.
The purpose of the trip to Brussels is to start working on the Sámi Parliament’s EU goals related to climate change, vitality and strengthening participation. Before heading to Brussels, the representatives will meet with the EU Affairs Department of the Prime Minister’s Office in Helsinki. In Brussels, meetings are scheduled with, among others, the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU, the European Commission, and Finnish Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
Decisions made in the EU affect the daily lives of the Sámi. However, the Sámi do not have an official status in EU decision-making, nor a permanent representation in Brussels. Furthermore, the EU does not have an official internal policy regarding Indigenous Peoples.
– The Sámi Parliament’s plenary meeting has defined influencing the EU as a priority for this electoral period. With this trip, we aim to begin discussions on how we can concretely advance issues important to the Sámi at the EU level, says Acting President Tuomas Aslak Juuso.
– We expect a positive reception and hope to identify shared steps forward together, Juuso adds.
The Sámi Parliament’s delegation includes Acting President Tuomas Aslak Juuso, First Vice President Leo Aikio, Executive Board members Tauno Ljetoff and Asko Länsman, Chair of the Livelihood and Legal Committee Nilla Tapiola, Legal Secretary Kalle Varis, Secretary for International Affairs Inka Saara Arttijeff and Advisor for the President Niina Siivikko.
EU affairs at the core of the Sámi Parliament’s international activities
The Sámi Parliament’s international strategy aims to develop advocacy within the EU. For the current electoral term, the Sámi Parliament has defined a key international objective: strengthening and establishing the Sámi Parliament’s rights to participate in European Union institutions and in EU-related decision-making within Finland. In the 2025 action plan, a top priority is ”Sámi participation rights in the EU and in EU-related decision-making: promoting permanent structures.”
The Sámi Parliament’s objectives related to EU policy are structured under three main goals:
- Strengthening Participation
- Climate Change
- Vitality of the Sámi Homeland
The objectives of the Sámi Parliament and the Sámi Parliamentary Council (SPC) align with the outcomes of the Barents Indigenous Peoples’ Summit held in Brussels in March 2023.
Additional information:
Tuomas Aslak Juuso
Acting President
040 687 3394
tuomas.juuso@samediggi.fi
Inka Saara Arttijeff
Secretary for International Affairs
050 574 7629
inka-saara.arttijeff@samediggi.fi
