Finland supports Ukraine’s sovereignty: Soini

Foreign Minister Timo Soini on Tuesday reiterated Finland’s strong support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Soini, who is now visiting Ukraine, expressed Finland’s position on the issue at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin in Kiev, said a government press release.

The ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine, bilateral relations between Finland and Ukraine, and reforms in Ukraine.

“A permanent ceasefire is needed in eastern Ukraine so that there can be progress towards implementing the Minsk Agreement. The only way to peace is through a political dialogue. Finland supports solutions to the conflict that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Soini said.

He emphasised that Finland condemns the illegal incorporation of Crimea into Russia.

March 18 will mark the fourth anniversary of the day on which the Crimean Peninsula was incorporated into Russia after an illegal referendum.

“Finland does not recognise the illegal incorporation of Crimea into Russia. There are worrying reports that the human rights situation in Crimea is worsening. I urge Russia to investigate all human rights violations, bring the perpetrators to justice and give international organisations unhindered access to the area. A military build-up in Crimea will also make the already difficult security situation even worse,” Soini noted.

He emphasised the importance of the reform process in Ukraine. The reforms have a direct impact on the daily life of citizens. In particular, a progress in anti-corruption efforts is vital for a healthy and sustainable development in the society at large.

Soini and Ukraine’s minister of education and science signed an agreement under which Finland will provide Ukraine with additional assistance for implementing reforms to its education sector.

Under the four-year programme set out in the agreement, Finland will support Ukraine in developing teacher education and updating teaching materials. Finland will also significantly expand its assistance to Ukraine so that it can improve the energy-efficiency of its economy.

“In its support for Ukraine, Finland will focus on sectors in which we possess a high level of expertise. Education is one of the fundamentals of society and we are ready to play a central role in reforming the Ukrainian education sector. In the energy sector, we will focus on improvements in energy efficiency by increasing the use of renewable energy and developing clean energy production. These are all essential to ensuring a sustainable energy supply,” Soini noted.