Describing the bilateral relations between Estonia and its northern neighbour, the head of government said: “Finland is our number-one trading partner, a home to many Estonians, and a like-minded ally in so many organisations that it would be nearly impossible to list them all.”
According to Michal, the countries also enjoy excellent defence cooperation, a perfect example of which was the launch of NATO’s ‘Baltic Sentry’ operation earlier this year.
Prime Minister Michal stressed that Finland’s accession to NATO had made the Baltic Sea region stronger and better defended. “Together, we have taken decisive steps to combat Russia’s shadow fleet and to protect our undersea infrastructure,” he said.
The Estonian head of government also acknowledged Finland for its diplomatic efforts in Washington and more broadly to bring an end to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. “Putin’s objectives have not changed,” he warned. “He wants all of Ukraine, and to rewrite Europe’s existing security arrangements. Estonia will never recognise the changing of borders through force of arms.”
Prime Minister Michal added that Estonia has already publicly expressed its readiness to contribute to the Coalition of the Willing’s deterrence forces in Ukraine. “Strong security guarantees for Ukraine are a prerequisite for a just and lasting peace, so that Russia does not even consider repeating its aggression,” he said. “We are now waiting for other countries to put forward their own contributions.”
The heads of government agreed that cooperation between Estonia and Finland in the EU has been very good and very effective. “Under the European Commission’s next long-term budget proposal, EU support for furthering Europe’s defence capabilities and assisting Ukraine would increase significantly,” Prime Minister Michal noted.
“Transport and energy connections would also benefit from additional funding. Hopefully this will help us move forward with the construction of Estlink 3 as well,” he added.
Following his official meeting with his Estonian counterpart, Prime Minister Orpo also met with Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna before setting off on a joint trip with Prime Minister Michal to Western Estonia.
Gallery: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCrwED
