Prime Minister Orpo and Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal to meet in Helsinki

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will meet in Helsinki on Friday 18 October. This will be Shmyhal’s first visit to Finland as Prime Minister. Prime Minister Shmyhal will be accompanied on his visit by Ukrainian Minister of the Environment Svitlana Hrynchuk and Minister of Health Viktor Liashko.

The prime ministers’ discussions will focus on Ukraine’s needs and Finland’s support, Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration and the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Ukraine is fighting for its independence in Russia’s illegal war of aggression and is working towards a just and lasting peace.

In connection with the meeting, Finland and Ukraine will sign an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector. The agreement will be signed by Minister of Health Viktor Liashko on behalf of Ukraine and by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso on behalf of Finland. The prime ministers of both countries will also attend the signing ceremony. Once the agreement is signed, concrete preparations for cooperation in the healthcare sector can begin. The cooperation outlined in the agreement is two-way: Finland has a lot to offer Ukraine but also a lot to learn, especially when it comes to preparedness and keeping the healthcare sector functioning during a crisis.

The prime ministers will also meet with representatives of the Finnish business sector and discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine.

At Ukraine’s request, Finland will host a meeting dedicated to the eighth point of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, Environmental Security, on Saturday 19 October. Prime Ministers Orpo and Shmyhal will deliver the opening words at the meeting, which will be chaired by Minister of the Environment Kai Mykkänen and Ukrainian Minister of the Environment Svitlana Hrynchuk.

While in Helsinki, Prime Minister Shmyhal will also meet with President of the Republic Alexander Stubb and Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho.
 

Inquiries:

• Marja Koskela, Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister, tel. +358 295 160 978, Prime Minister’s Office
• Kerstin Stendahl, Senior Ministerial Adviser, International Affairs, tel. +358 50 525 2717, Ministry of the Environment (meeting on environmental security)
• Pasi Korhonen, Director of EU and International Affairs, tel. +358 295 163 175, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (healthcare sector cooperation agreement)
• Lauri Heikkinen, Senior Communications Specialist, tel. +358 40 547 5090, Prime Minister’s Office (communications)