Prime Minister Sipilä highlighted possibilities in the Arctic during his visit to Norway
On Monday 23 January, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä took part in the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø where he also met Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
The Prime Ministers discussed topical international issues such as regional security, Brexit and cooperation with the new administration in the United States. They also addressed Nordic cooperation and the position of the Nordic countries in the world. Norway took over the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers from Finland at the beginning of this year, and Finland will assume the chairmanship of the Arctic Council this spring. During their meeting the Prime Ministers also discussed economic relations between the two countries.
In his opening speech at the panel discussion of the Arctic Frontiers conference, Prime Minister Sipilä noted that Finland has made careful preparations for the two-year chairmanship of the Arctic Council which will start in May. “During its 20-year existence, the Arctic Council has become an important forum of constructive international dialogue,” said Sipilä. The themes of the Programme for the Finnish Presidency will include environmental protection, connectivity, meteorology and education. “Our additional goal is to increase cooperation between the Arctic Council and the Arctic Economic Council”, Sipilä said in his opening words.
Prime Ministers Sipilä and Solberg took part in an event organised for Finnish and Norwegian companies which promoted cooperation across the northern border between the two countries. The following Finnish companies took part in the event: Aker Arctic Technology, Atlas Elektronik Finland, Beacon Finland, Bluet, Exel Composites, Gateway Norway, Halton Marine, Prizztech, Roadscanners ja Team Arctic Finland / Gaia Consulting.
“While the economic relations between Finland and Norway have developed positively, there is, however, plenty of room for developing cooperation further especially in the northern regions. In addition to Arctic expertise and maritime industry, there is demand for new ideas in many sectors from telecommunications to tourism”, said Prime Minister Sipilä.
The speech held by Prime Minister Sipilä at the Arctic Frontiers conference
Inquiries: Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. +358 40 7483 867 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office.