Nordic Prime Ministers discussed international issues

On Tuesday 22 May, the first day of their summer meeting in Höga Kusten (High Coast) in Sweden, the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries talked about the development of Nordic cooperation, topical EU affairs and international issues.

In the EU affairs the focus was on Brexit and the Commission proposal for the multiannual financial framework. The key international issue on the agenda was global security, including the situation in Syria. Prime Minister Sipilä had been requested to speak about the situation in the Baltic Sea region.

“The state of the relations between Russia and western countries is reflected on the Baltic Sea region. We must be show determination in our policy with Russia, but the channels for dialogue must stay open. The Nordic Dimension, i.e. collaboration between four equal partners - the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland - is an excellent example of a forum for discussion and way to engage in concrete cooperation that benefits all stakeholders”, Prime Minister Sipilä says.

The meeting of the Nordic Prime Ministers will continue on Wednesday 23 May with a search for cooperation opportunities in promoting 5G. The Prime Ministers will also meet the representatives of Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Åland, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The tradition is that the spouses of the Prime Ministers are also invited, so Mrs Minna-Maaria Sipilä will be attending the spouses’ programme.

Inquiries: Jani Raappana, Special Adviser (international affairs) tel. +358 295 160 306 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 07 33, Prime Minister's Office