Finland and Poland strengthening Baltic Sea cooperation

The Baltic Sea was a key theme in discussions between President of the Republic Tarja Halonen and President Lech Kaczynski of Poland at the Presidential Palace on 10 April 2008. "We are both concerned about the Baltic Sea. We agreed that we will work to step up cooperation in protecting the Baltic," President Halonen said at a press conference in the Hall of Mirrors at the Presidential Palace. President Kaczynski likewise emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. President Kaczynski and his wife came to Finland for a state visit on 9-10 April. President Halonen thanked President Kaczynski for successfully hosting the HELCOM meeting in Krakow last November. The meeting approved a new Baltic Sea Action Plan with the goal of restoring the Baltic Sea to a good ecological status by 2021.

Dr Pentti Arajärvi (l), President Halonen, Mrs Mrs. Maria Kaczynska and President Kaczynski. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

According to President Halonen, Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004 aroused considerable interest. "Now Poland is strongly involved in the EU and Poland has not lost any of its interest. We feel a great interest in each other, as do our business communities."

In addition President Halonen and President Kaczynski discussed the future of the European Union, the Lisbon Strategy and the decision-making system in the EU as well as cooperation with Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

During the state visit President Kaczynski also met with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, visited Parliament and laid a wreath at the war memorial in Hietaniemi Cemetery.