Foreign Minister Haavisto discusses with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto held a telephone conversation with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday, 12 August 2020. In addition to the coronavirus situation, the ministers discussed issues relating to the European Union and Russia, the conflict in Ukraine, international Arctic cooperation and international arms control. The ministers also discussed bilateral issues between Finland and Russia and regional issues.

"In responding to the COVID-19 crisis, regional and cross-border cooperation, such as the Northern Dimension policy and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council with its working groups focusing on health, offer excellent tools. We also took note of the opportunities for cooperation during the coinciding Russian chairmanship of the Arctic Council and the Finnish chairmanship of the Barents Regional Council. Combining the economy and the environment towards low-carbon choices is also an opportunity in the development of the Arctic regions,” Foreign Minister Haavisto said.

Inquiries: Joel Linnainmäki, Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 50 478 2587 and Maimo Henriksson, Director General, tel. +358 50 462 4207.

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