— Europe is protected from the threat from Russia precisely at the eastern edge of the European Union, said Prime Minister Orpo in an interview for “Helsingin Sanomat”.
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Which countries were invited to the Helsinki summit?
What issues will be discussed at the European Council summit in Brussels?
What did the Prime Minister of Finland say about the threat from Russia?
What is the purpose of the meeting in Helsinki?
By organizing the “Eastern Flank Summit” event in Helsinki, the Finnish government wants to convey that the EU should place greater emphasis on defending the eastern border of the community. The Finnish authorities invited the leaders of seven EU countries to Helsinki: Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Silina, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausede and the head of the Polish government Donald Tusk, as well as Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Rosen Żelazkov and President of Romania Nicusor Dan.
The aim of this meeting – as stated in the statement – is to launch specific cooperation to strengthen the defense of the countries located on the eastern border, as well as to discuss how to ensure financing for the countries in the east in the next EU multiannual financial framework. In addition to Tuesday's regional summit in Helsinki, a European Council summit will be held in Brussels on Thursday, where issues such as air defense and drones are to be discussed.
Prime Minister of Finland: common strategic lines need to be developed
According to Orpo, it is extremely important that the eastern countries have a common political will to influence EU policy. The head of the Finnish government warned that the conclusion of peace between Russia and Ukraine may lead to the eastern regions of the EU, including Finland, being in a “particularly difficult situation”.
— Regardless of the type of peace agreement, common strategic lines and concrete steps forward need to be developed, the Finnish Prime Minister pointed out. According to him, especially in relations with Russia, when normalizing relations, possible trade negotiations should not turn into a “race” between various member states.
