US, NATO presence boosts Baltic stability: Niinistö

President Sauli Niinistö on Monday met his US counterpart Donald Trump in the White House.

According to a press release issued by the Office of the President of Finland, Trump greeted Niinistö in the West Wing of his official residence in the afternoon. This was the first meeting between the two presidents and and the first one-on-one White House meeting between a Finnish and an American president in a decade and a half.

After the discussions, the presidents held a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House.

“The main theme of our discussion was security,” said Niinistö after the press conference.

“The presence of the United States and NATO in Europe and the Baltic Sea region increases stability. Finland is making its contribution,” Niinistö said, while raising, among other things, the issue of Finland’s initiative to improve aviation security in the Baltic Sea region.

Trump raised the issue of cyber security, pointing out that Finland is a leading expert in this field, and thus there is a need to cooperate with Finland.

Russia was also discussed during the press conference. “Finland is not an advisor. We will do everything to maintain peace,” said Niinistö, adding, “Russia must be determined, but dialogue is important, too.”

President Trump on his part said Russia respects Finland.

In May, Finland assumed the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, succeeding the United States. The two presidents discussed issues related to the Arctic region.

President Niinistö said, “Both business and environment can be winners. A good example is the curbing of black carbon emission. If the Arctic looses, the world also looses.”

The hurricane Harvey and the recent terrorist attack in Turku were also discussed. During the press conference, both the presidents extended their condolences to those affected by the hurricane.

“We have been following the hurricane Harvey closely. Our thoughts are with the people of Texas and Louisiana,” said Niinistö.

Trump also commented on the Turku terrorist attack and at the same time thanked Finland’s important work in Afghanistan and Iraq.