Photo: Raigo Pajula
In his meeting with his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb today, President Alar Karis underscored the key role that Estonia and Finland play in enhancing Nordic-Baltic cooperation and strengthening the region.
“We Estonians have a lot in common with the Finns – our language, our culture, our way of thinking – which is why we so often understand each other almost intuitively,” the head of state remarked. “We have a shared history, a shared memory and centuries of ties that bind us together, thousands of threads, visible and invisible alike. Our cultures, our economies and our security are intertwined, and our cooperation is forward-looking and practical.”
President Karis added that together, Estonia and Finland could also play an important role in uniting the Nordic countries and Baltic States into a powerful regional force. “The NB8 is becoming one of the most coherent and strategically significant partnerships of its kind in Europe,” he noted. “What makes it unique is not just the geographical proximity it represents, but the shared understanding of threats and high level of trust between the countries involved. More robust regional cooperation means a stronger NATO and a more adept EU as well.”
The head of state also addressed the issue of Russian aggression. “On that front, our position is clear,” he said. “Where Europe’s security is concerned, Russia continues to pose the most serious threat. Its attacks on Ukraine call into question the very foundations of European stability. We must remain steadfast in our response, offering continued support to Ukraine, exerting sustained pressure on Russia and pursuing a clear commitment to bolstering Europe’s defence capabilities, with strong transatlantic cooperation.”
The head of state insisted that Europe should be represented in all discussions affecting its security. “When it comes to Ukraine, peace talks seem to have stalled, but we must be ready for any developments,” he said. “Europe must adopt a strong stance to help Ukraine achieve a just and lasting peace. Looking ahead, the country’s future lies in the EU and NATO.”
Speaking with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, President Karis raised the persistent threat of Russia – a neighbour to both Finland and Estonia – and the imposing of sanctions against it, as well as ongoing support for Ukraine. Their discussions also touched on the connections between Finland and Estonia, including electricity and communication cables, and Rail Baltica. However, the topic discussed at greatest length was defence cooperation. “Just as our economies are interlinked, so we have a lot of common interests and opportunities for pooling knowledge and working together in the defence industry,” the head of state said.
Meeting with Jussi Halla-aho, the speaker of the Finnish parliament, President Karis discussed European security, support for Ukraine and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. “The Estonian and Finnish parliaments have been working together for many years, and that cooperation has been very close and meaningful, at the level of committees and friendship groups alike,” he noted.
President Karis is on a two-day state visit to Finland with his wife Sirje Karis on the invitation of his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb. He is being accompanied on the visit by members of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and Mati Raidma, Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, Commander of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo and sizeable business and cultural delegations. The Finnish presidential couple paid a state visit to Estonia in 2024.
Gallery (Raigo Pajula/Office of the President): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCScRX
President Karis: Estonia and Finland connect the Nordic countries and Baltic States