Ratas: Estonia and Finland have a timeless friendship

Today, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas met with Sanna Marin, the Prime Minister of Finland. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, transport and energy connections between the two countries, the security situation in the Middle east, and issues related to the future of the European Union.

'I am very pleased to welcome my colleague today. The friendship between Estonia and Finland is strong and timeless, something we want to develop,' said Prime Minister Ratas. He stressed that the bilateral cooperation between Estonia and Finland is constantly deepening. 'For example, we soon hope to reach a new level of digital cooperation,' said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. 'Our joint efforts have led to us hopefully being able to use digital prescriptions on both sides of the Gulf of Finland soon. We are working towards further improving the data exchange between the different registers of Estonia and Finland.' Ratas noted that in addition to digital connections, both countries are linked by geographical proximity and that Estonia is glad to have Finland be so closely involved in the Rail Baltica project.

Marin and Ratas also addressed the situation in the Middle East. 'Members of our defence forces are in Iraq to support and train the local security forces, and attacks against them must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Tensions should be quickly alleviated. We are working to keep the guns silent and the diplomats talking,' said Ratas.

Concerning European Union issues, the prime ministers confirmed that they both support the European Union's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and the advancement of the Green Deal. 'The next long-term budget must contribute to the achievement of climate goals and it is therefore important that its overall volume does not decrease compared to the current period,' said Ratas.

There was also talk of the expansion of the European Union and future relations with the United Kingdom after Brexit. The prime ministers also discussed matters of regional security.

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmKCkxDu