Prime Minister Marin meets with Greek Prime Minister in Athens

Prime Minister Sanna Marin met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotákis in Athens on Thursday 28 April. In their meeting, the prime ministers discussed Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the changed security situation in Europe, topical EU matters, and relations between Finland and Greece.

The Prime Ministers reiterated their strong support for and solidarity with Ukraine. At the press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Marin said that Finland considers important that the EU step up its assistance to Ukraine. Finland is also prepared to tighten the sanctions imposed on Russia. Prime Minister Marin stressed the need to increase the use of renewable energy quickly, as this will help reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil energy imported from Russia.

“The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has created the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Both Finland and Greece are receiving people fleeing the war, above all women and children. Finland is also working with the Ukrainian authorities to arrange direct transport from Ukraine to Finland for the most vulnerable people, such as children travelling alone. We must work together to prevent human smuggling,” Prime Minister Marin said.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has significantly changed the security environment in Finland and throughout Europe. Prime Minister Marin stated that Finland would decide in the near future whether to apply for NATO membership.

“I would like to thank Greece, which has supported Finland in developing its partnership with NATO. Finland’s current close cooperation with NATO puts us in an excellent position to join. Finland’s message to the NATO member countries is this: if we decide to apply for membership, we will strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland has a credible national defence. Like Greece, Finland also has a strong and modern army,” Prime Minister Marin said at the press conference.

The meeting was the first bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Marin and Prime Minister Mitsotákis. It was organised at the invitation of the Greek Prime Minister.

At the end of her visit, Prime Minister Marin also spoke with Greece's former Prime Minister Aléxis Tsipras, leader of the largest opposition party in the country, Zyriza.

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Lauri Voionmaa, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. +358 50 421 0422, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office