Granada meeting highlights strong support for Ukraine

The leaders of 47 European countries expressed their strong support for Ukraine at the meeting of the European Political Community in Granada, Spain, on Thursday 5 October. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the attendees at the meeting, which was the third of its kind. Russia and Belarus were not invited.

“Strengthening support for Ukraine is important for Finland. This meeting sent a clear signal that European countries will continue their support,” said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who represented Finland at the meeting.

The meeting of the European Political Community focused on how to make Europe more resilient, prosperous and geostrategic. The programme began with a plenary session followed by thematic group discussions. Prime Minister Orpo took part in the group discussion on security and geopolitics.

In the discussion, Prime Minister Orpo stressed that Europe must take on a stronger role as a global player. He said that Finland would continue its unwavering support for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of the sanctions imposed on Russia. The Prime Minister also drew attention to the link between security and the economy.

“Only a competitive and successful Europe can make its voice heard,” Prime Minister Orpo said.

Prime Minister Orpo’s programme also included several bilateral meetings. He spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 523 5768, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 07 33, Prime Minister's Office