President Niinistö had meetings with President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.
President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met with EU leaders in Brussels on Wednesday 28 March 2018. During his visit, the President had meetings with President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.
The European Union’s relations with Russia and the expulsions of Russian diplomats by several EU Member States due to the Salisbury nerve agent attack were covered extensively during the day’s discussions.
“We should bear in mind that consideration by the European Council and the subsequent national procedures were not criminal proceedings or trials, but political action. It was in this respect and on these premises that Finland’s decision was also made,” said President Niinistö when commenting on the matter to the Finnish media in the afternoon after the discussions.
President Niinistö reiterated his emphasis on the importance of dialogue and pointed out that dialogue with Russia was also maintained after the events in Crimea. “Almost everyone has confirmed that dialogue will be needed henceforth. This was strongly raised in my discussions with President Juncker. In any case, we must be able to keep our lines of communication open – if the rift between Russia and the West has expanded, it must not be allowed to get any broader. That is why it is a good idea to maintain talks.”
Joint EU project on role of girls proposed by President
In addition to the Salisbury incident, a broad range of other current topics such as immigration, population growth and coordination of development cooperation were also covered: “In my opinion, there could be a bit more coordination in order to increase effectiveness. I proposed that the role of girls and women in Africa could be a joint project where the entire EU could focus currently fragmented resources.” Other topics discussed included the situation in the Western Balkans, the need for a more united EU and the enlargement of the Union.
One of the purposes of the visit to Brussels was also to highlight Finland’s Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. “Naturally I brought up efforts to combat black carbon, or soot. Black carbon is emitted from sources such as old-fashioned power plants in Russia, and whether or not these can be upgraded – that is a matter of funding. Solutions and further understanding on funding may already have been found here, too.”
In addition, the President raised the point of the increasing traffic in the Northeast Passage, which will also make creating a link to continental Europe more topical. In this context, Finland has brought up the Trans-European Networks (TEN). “A lot of these networks have been built in southern parts of Europe. Now it might be a good time to look to the North. A northern rail network would fit in rather well with the TEN approach.”
President Niinistö discussed the future of the EU’s defence policy also with Finnish security experts. He was joined over lunch by Vice-President of the European Commission Jyrki Katainen, Director of Security at the European Commission Ilkka Salmi, Lt General Esa Pulkkinen, Director General of the EU Military Staff, and Deputy Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency Olli Ruutu as well as Ambassadors Marja Rislakki and Sofie From-Emmesberger.
President Niinistö meets with President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani. © European Union 2018 / Daina Le Lardic
President Niinistö meets with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Photo: European Union
President Niinistö meets with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Photo: European Union
President Niinistö meets with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. Photo: Katri Makkonen/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
President Niinistö discussed the future of the EU’s defence policy with Finnish security experts at lunch with Vice-President of the European Commission Jyrki Katainen, Director of Security at the European Commission Ilkka Salmi, Lt General Esa Pulkkinen, Director General of the EU Military Staff, and Deputy Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency Olli Ruutu as well as Ambassadors Marja Rislakki and Sofie From-Emmesberger. Photo: Katri Makkonen/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Meeting with Finnish MEPs: Petri Sarvamaa, Heidi Hautala, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri ja Elsi Katainen. Photo: Katri Makkonen/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland