“We mark the 25th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Finland. Our two countries share excellent, dynamic, and constructive relations based on common understanding and interest in the security and prosperity of the region,” said Raimonds Vējonis at the joint press conference of both Presidents.
The President of Latvia underlined that modern security challenges, constantly growing concerns about the security situation in the Baltic States, and the tension between Russia and the West required close cooperation between the European Union and NATO. He said that there were many opportunities to build closer cooperation although Finland was not a NATO Member State, first, with Finland closely working with NATO itself and strengthening various formats of regional cooperation, for instance, sharing of knowledge and participating in joint exercises.
“It is very important that Finland and Sweden took part in the NATO Summit in Warsaw as NATO's partner countries. This is only the beginning of closer cooperation in security,” said Raimonds Vējonis.
During the meeting, Presidents of Latvia and Finland also discussed other relevant issues such as relations with Russia, development of energy and transport infrastructure, and bilateral economic relations between Latvia and Finland.
“Finland has been one of the largest economic cooperation partners for Latvia traditionally, with whom we intend to develop even closer economic cooperation in the future, inter alia by attracting Finnish investments in manufacturing and other industries with high added value,” said Raimonds Vējonis.
The leaders also discussed the projects of regional infrastructure and accomplishments of the countries in the Baltic Sea region in tidying up the environment, especially the Baltic Sea, where successful cooperation started as early as in the 90-s.
During the working visit to Finland, President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis also planned a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister of Finland Timo Soini, to visit company Pöyry PLC and underground water treatment plant Blominmäki, as well as to meet with representatives of the Latvian community in Finland.