Polish president heads to Finland

Duda’s talks in the Finnish capital Helsinki with the country’s President Sauli Niinistö and other officials will focus on security in the Baltic region, according to the Polish president’s chief of staff, Krzysztof Szczerski.

“Both countries are in a very sensitive part of Europe, and thus in a very sensitive part of the world,” Szczerski said. “It is therefore important that political dialogue at the highest level be maintained.”

Although Finland is not a member of NATO, it remains an important partner of the alliance and a component of the security system in Europe, Szczerski added.

According to Finnish experts approached by Poland’s PAP news agency, Finland and Poland could step up cooperation in the Baltic Sea region while also boosting ties in business and security.

In late September, Poland and Finland signed a deal to work together in countering hybrid and cyber threats. The framework agreement, which was inked by Poland’s Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz and his Finnish counterpart Jussi Niinistö, also provides for the exchange of information and technological cooperation.

However, Finnish commentators point to political differences between the two countries, for example in how they conduct dialogue with Brussels and in relations with Russia, according to PAP. (gs/pk)

Source: PAP, prezydent.pl