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Prime Minister Marin meets with Italian Prime Minister Draghi in Rome

Government Communications Department
Publication date 18.5.2022 16.30
Press release 320/2022
Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi standing on the front of the Finnish, Italian and EU flags

Prime Minister Sanna Marin met with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in Rome on Wednesday 18 May. Their discussions focused on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and on the security situation in Europe, which has changed as a result.

“The EU has responded to Russia’s aggression with strength and unity. Finland is prepared to impose new sanctions that would restrict Russia’s energy exports. We must reduce our dependence on energy from Russia and accelerate the transition to renewable energy,” Prime Minister Marin said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Draghi.

Prime Minister Marin visited Rome on the same day that Finland officially notified NATO of its interest in beginning accession talks. Prime Minister Marin highlighted the broad public support for joining NATO in Finland. It is also important for Finland that neighbouring Sweden wants to join NATO at the same time.

“Finland’s NATO membership will strengthen Finland’s security and the defence alliance as a whole. Together with Sweden, we will bring stability to the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe. Finland has a strong, credible defence capacity. As a NATO partner, we already work in close cooperation with the defence alliance. I would like to thank Prime Minister Draghi for showing support for Finland’s NATO membership. Italy can trust that Finland will be a strong and reliable NATO partner,” Prime Minister Marin said.
 
Prime Minister Marin and Prime Minister Draghi also discussed the special European Council taking place at the end of May and explored ways to boost economic and commercial cooperation between Finland and Italy.
  
During her visit, Prime Minister Marin will also meet with two former Italian prime ministers: leader of the Five Star Movement Giuseppe Corte and Democratic Party leader Enrico Letta. Both of their parties are part of the current government.
 
Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office.