The talks between Minister Czaputowicz and his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto focused on bilateral cooperation, European security, and the eastern neighbourhood of the European Union. The diplomats also discussed the current situation in the Middle East in the context of Poland’s engagement in the Warsaw Process.

The ministers expressed their satisfaction with the state of Polish-Finnish relations and highlighted their readiness to continue the mutually beneficial cooperation. - Finland is Poland’s important partner. The dialogue between Warsaw and Helsinki is open and constructive, noted the Polish minister.

The chief of the Polish MFA also referred to the very good economic relations between the two countries. The volume of trade in 2018 exceeded EUR 3.6 billion.  - We are happy that there are over 200 Finnish companies operating in Poland. We still see a significant potential for growth in the area of trade - he added.

The chief of Polish diplomacy pointed out that Warsaw welcomes in particular Finland’s efforts to strengthen security and stability in the Baltic Sea as well as Finland’s role in the NATO-EU cooperation. Both sides agreed on the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the continuation of the EU’s enlargement policy.

Minister Czaputowicz also met with Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö to discuss prospects for further development of bilateral and regional ties, as well as current challenges in the area of security. Similar topics were raised during the Polish MFA chief’s meeting with the representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament.

Minister Czaputowicz’s visit to Finland takes place as Warsaw and Helsinki celebrate the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. On 7 February 1920, the first Finnish chargé d'affaires to Poland Karl Gyllenbögel presented his credentials at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To mark the anniversary of this event, Minister Czaputowicz and Minister Haavisto attended an official ceremony.

While in Helsinki, Minister Czaputowicz also met with the representatives of the Polish community and Poles living in Finland. The minister thanked them for their efforts to cherish the Polish language and national traditions. He noted that they are ambassadors of Poland and Polishness in Finland.

MFA Press Office

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA