“I am delighted that my first foreign visit is to Helsinki. As border countries of the European Union and NATO, we share common challenges with Finland, which makes our friendship and strong cooperation extremely important,” Michal stressed. “We both remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, but are also deeply engaged in our own security and defence cooperation.”
According to the prime minister, it is also important to set common goals for the economy. “Finland is our biggest trading partner, so what happens in their markets has a significant impact on us and vice versa. We need to work to encourage cooperation between industries and attract new investments to the region,” he explained.
During his visit, which starts on Tuesday evening, Michal will meet both the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and the Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo. The prime ministers will hold a joint press conference on Wednesday at noon.
Improving the competitiveness of the economy and topical security issues are the main themes of the meetings. New bilateral cooperation opportunities in digital, energy, and defence industries will also be discussed.
Dear journalists!
If you are interested in travelling to Finland to cover the visit, please let us know no later than noon (12 p.m.) on 13 August by writing to press@riik.ee.
Tentative schedule (14 August):
10 a.m. Meeting with President Alexander Stubb at the President’s residence in Munkkiniemi (media to gather no later than 9:20 a.m. in the reception lobby of Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa, at Kalastajatorpantie 1, Helsinki).
11 a.m. Meeting with Prime Minister Petteri Orpö at the Kesäranta residence (media to gather no later than 10:40 a.m. at Kesärannantie 1, Helsinki).
12 p.m. Joint press conference of the prime ministers at Kesäranta residence (media to gather no later than 11:40 a.m. at Kesärannantie 1, Helsinki).
The joint press conference of the prime ministers can also be watched on the YouTube page of the Finnish Government:https://www.youtube.com/@ValtioneuvostoStatsradet/streams.
