Granada meeting highlights strong support for Ukraine

The leaders of 47 European countries on Thursday expressed their strong support for Ukraine at the meeting of the European Political Community in Granada, Spain on Thursday, said a government press release.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the attendees at the meeting, which was the third of its kind. Russia and Belarus were not invited.

“Strengthening support for Ukraine is important for Finland. This meeting sent a clear signal that European countries will continue their support,” said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who represented Finland at the meeting.

The meeting of the European Political Community focused on how to make Europe more resilient, prosperous and geostrategic. The programme began with a plenary session followed by thematic group discussions. Orpo took part in the group discussion on security and geopolitics.

In the discussion, Orpo stressed that Europe must take on a stronger role as a global player.

He said that Finland would continue its unwavering support for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of the sanctions imposed on Russia. The Prime Minister also drew attention to the link between security and the economy.

“Only a competitive and successful Europe can make its voice heard,” Orpo said.

The Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.