Prime Minister Marin and President of the European Commission met in Helsinki

Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen discussed topical EU matters in Helsinki on Thursday 3 February. During her visit to Finland, President von der Leyen also met President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö.

In their talks, Prime Minister Marin and President von der Leyen focused on the security situation in Europe. The European Union supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and the integrity of its borders. Any further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response. The Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission also discussed measures that the EU can take, in line with the European Council conclusions, to prepare for different developments. 

Finland supports the EU’s coordinated communication and joint action. “We now need dialogue and diplomacy and, above all, measures from Russia to reduce military tension,” Prime Minister Marin said after the meeting. 

Prime Minister Marin and President von der Leyen also discussed issues that will be raised at forthcoming European Council meetings as well as initiatives related to forests and forestry, taxonomy and consideration of winter navigation in on-going legislative proposals. 

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office