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Government of Finland and Government of Estonia hold historical inter-governmental jubilee meeting in Tallinn

Government Communications Department
Publication date 30.4.2018 13.37
Press release 225/2018

Finland and Estonia will be holding an inter-governmental jubilee meeting on 7 May in Tallinn in commemoration of each country’s 100 years of independence. The Finnish Government will be visiting Tallinn, headed by Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, and will meet the Estonian Government, which is led by Prime Minister Jüri Ratas.

The inter-governmental meeting between Finland and Estonia is the first one in the whole history of the two nations, and it will address questions of mutual importance to the two countries, such as transport links, digital connections, matters related to language and culture and issues of common interest in the EU.

Finland and Estonia have a special mutual rapport. There is a strong bond between our two countries. We wish to move forward together and deepen cooperation in matters that are of importance to both of us. The centenary celebrations of our two nations is an opportune time to hold this historical jubilee meeting,’ says Prime Minister Sipilä.

Estonia celebrated its centenary in early spring, on 24 February. Finland celebrated 100 years of independence on 6 December last year, on Independence Day.

The meeting is in many ways both unique and historical. This is the first time Estonia is holding a government meeting together with another country; and for Finland, this is the first time the government is convening outside its own borders. Finland and Sweden held an inter-governmental meeting in Hämeenlinna in 2009, when Finland celebrated 200 years of Finnish public administration.

The agenda of the inter-governmental meeting consists of four main topic areas. In the area of mobility and transport links, discussions will be held on the outlook for developing connections between the two countries, on rail links and on a possible tunnel between Finland and Estonia. The utilisation of shared data repositories and new areas of cooperation are the main themes in the discussions under the topic of digital connections. Cooperation in international education, for example, will be explored in the context of education and culture. Under their fourth topic, the two governments will discuss European developments and how the European Union can promote common sustainable growth.

I believe we can make fast progress in these four areas and achieve deeper cooperation. For example, the lively discussion about a possible tunnel link shows how much interaction there is on a regular basis between our two countries. Personally I see much untapped potential in shared digital services and in the sharing of information,’ notes Prime Minister Sipilä.

The Permanent Secretaries of Finland and Estonia will also be convening in a parallel jubilee meeting in Tallinn on the same day. Estonia will present its experiences in inter-administrative cooperation and operation as a single government organisation. The Permanent Secretaries will also take part in a joint lunch with the two governments.  

Inquiries: Pekka Timonen, General Secretary, email: [email protected], tel. +358 50 337 4386 and Päivi Pirttilä, Communications Specialist, tel. +358 40 705 3323, Prime Minister's Office

 
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