Finland, Russia underline development of relations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday said relations between Finland and Russia were "developing despite the difficult situation in Europe."

Lavrov's visit to Finland came as part of preparations for a state visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin later this year.

Lavrov made the remarks in Porvoo, southern Finland at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Timo Soini. Lavrov also later met with President Sauli Niinistö.

Finnish media on Thursday raised the possibility of a meeting between Russian and U.S. presidents in Finland. Lavrov said Finland would be "a welcome location", but there was no such plan currently. The two leaders may meet during the G20 in Hamburg, Germany in July.

The meeting venue was close to the location where Czar Alexander I confirmed Finnish semi-autonomy as a Grand Duchy of Finland in his meeting with Finnish representatives in 1809.

Finland declared independence from Russia in 1917. The ongoing centenary of Finnish independence will be observed in joint events.

Both ministers highlighted the development of economic ties. Soini said there had been a major increase in Russian visa applications to Finland this year. Lavrov mentioned cooperative projects ranging from the Fennovoima nuclear plant to Finnish wind power development in Uljanovsk, Russia.

Soini said the talks had been open and constructive, even on difficult subjects. He said the Ukraine issue is the most difficult single question between Finland and Russia. He said the relations between Russia and the EU would not develop until the Minsk agreement is fulfilled. Finland urged Russia to use its influence in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Lavrov said it is the responsibility of the West to see to it that Ukraine adheres to the Minsk agreements.

The ministers also discussed flight security over the Baltic Sea. Niinistö suggested in July 2016 that military aircraft could no longer fly over in the area without identifying transponders switched on. Lavrov said the idea is being discussed within the international air transport sector.

Soini and Lavrov will meet again next week in Alaska. Finland will assume the chairmanship of the Arctic Council grouping soon.