Finnish, Estonian PMs focus security, bilateral ties

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and his Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal met in Helsinki on Tuesday and Wednesday and discussed various biliteral and European issues, said a government press release on Wednesday.

Their discussions focused on cooperation between Finland and Estonia, improving European security and defence, and other topical EU matters.

“Our cooperation in repairing damaged transmission connections between our countries has been seamless. We also fully support the Baltic States in their efforts to phase out Russian electricity and join the Central European electricity system,” said Orpo.

The Premiers noted that their countries enjoy excellent bilateral relations. Along with their historical and cultural ties, Finland and Estonia are key trading partners and, with Finland’s accession to NATO, also military allies.

At a practical level, smooth cooperation between the Finnish and Estonian police, customs and border authorities plays an integral role in countering hybrid actions and controlling the EU’s eastern border.

Orpo thanked Michal for the countries’ successful cooperation in the field of energy security.

Finland and Estonia are important partners in defence materiel production. In their discussions, the prime ministers highlighted the significance of the European defence industry for European security more broadly.

“Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine has revealed a need for the defence industry to ramp up its production of wartime supplies. Finland has increased its ammunition production fivefold,” said Orpo.

The prime ministers’ discussions touched on a variety of topical EU issues, such as enlargement, competitiveness and preparedness.

“Helping Ukraine on its path to EU membership is a priority for Finland. At the same time, the EU enlargement process has to remain objective and merit-based, and applicant countries must genuinely meet all the criteria for membership,” said Orpo.

“An effective single market plays a key role in the EU’s economic success. To work effectively, the single market must be based on fair competition, market-based solutions and a level playing field,” he added.

Finland fully supports the Commission in preparing the EU strategy for a preparedness union.

An important topic of the prime ministers’ discussions was comprehensive support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s brutal invasion.

“Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine poses a major threat to global security. We must do everything in our power to prevent Russia from winning this war, and we must work to gather broad support for President Zelenskyy’s Ukraine peace plan,” said Orpo.

Other items on the agenda included security in the Baltic Sea, border security and topical NATO issues.

“What we have been seeing at our eastern borders is not a question of migration or genuine asylum seekers; it is a hybrid attack on our security perpetrated by Russia. Russia’s goal is to undermine the unity of the EU and weaken the international rules-based system,” said the Finnish Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, President Alexander Stubb on Wednesday met with Michal oat the President’s official residence in Munkkiniemi in Helsinki, said the President Office in a press release.

This was Michal’s first foreign visit as Prime Minister. Kristen Michal was appointed Prime Minister of Estonia in July 2024.

During the meeting, Stubb and Michal discussed support to Ukraine, hybrid influence activities and critical infrastructure.

To conclude the meeting, Stubb said that Estonia and Finland have a strong relationship and that the close cooperation between the two countries will continue.