Prime Ministers Sipilä and Löfven discussed the economy and foreign and security policy

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Löfven met in Naatali on Sunday 19 June. They talked about bilateral questions, particularly about economic and trade relations as well as foreign and security policy cooperation. Topical EU affairs were also discussed, such as migration and the UK's EU relation.

'Relations between our two countries are excellent. Sweden is one of Finland's closest trading partners. There is close collaboration in the energy sector in the field of renewable energy sources, for instance. The Government aims to increase the use of emission-free, renewable energy in a sustainable way so that its share will rise to more than 50 per cent in the 2020s', says Prime Minister Sipilä.

International questions involved discussion on the Baltic Sea security policy situation. Prime Minister Sipilä also presented the key points in the Government Report on Foreign and Security Policy, which was published on Friday.

'We are maintaining close contacts with Sweden in matters related to foreign and security policy, and defence cooperation between our two countries has evolved in a positive direction. Bilateral cooperation between Finland and Sweden fosters security and stability in our region', observes Prime Minister Sipilä.    

The premiers participate in the Kultaranta-discussions hosted by the President of the Republic, Sauli Niinistö.

Inquiries: Jari Haapiainen, Special Adviser (EU-affairs), tel. +358 295 160 406, Prime Minister's Office