Answer for question E-000545/25

EN E-000545/2025 Answer given by President von der Leyen on behalf of the European Commission (27.6.2025) 1. Sauli Niinistö was nominated unpaid Special Adviser to the Commission President on 20 March 2024. The High-Representative and Vice-President of the Commission at the time received his salary and there was no additional payment linked to the drafting of the Report. 2. Special Advisers are selected based on their expertise and qualifications. The choice of Mr Niinistö to work on preparedness was based on his expertise on this matter, as former President of Finland. Based on a whole of society and whole of government approach, Finland has a comprehensive preparedness and civil defence strategy in place, which prepares for all emergencies including military, hybrid threats and natural disasters. 3. Each Special Adviser must provide a declaration of activities and sign a document declaring that there is no conflict of interest between their duties as adviser to the Commission and their other activities. On the basis of the declaration by Mr Niinistö, the Commission established that there was no conflict of interest regarding his activities and his duties as Special Adviser.