On 1 July, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau travelled to Finland
01.07.2022
While in Helsinki, Poland’s top diplomat met with President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and with Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen. The main topics discussed were further development of bilateral cooperation, security, the situation in EU's eastern neighbourhood, Poland’s OSCE chairmanship, and regional policy.
Minister Zbigniew Rau underlined the importance of cooperation with Finland, both bilaterally and within regional and international organisations. He found Polish-Finnish relations to be very good. The foreign minister also noted our common interests in the area of security and a similar perception of the situation in the EU's eastern neighbourhood. Bilateral dialogue is honest and open, and the economic relations – including trade – develop in a harmonious way.
When referring to the outcomes of the recent NATO summit, Minister Rau congratulated Finland on being invited to join the North Atlantic Alliance. “I am convinced that Finland’s accession will contribute to the strengthening of the Alliance. I believe that it will also provide new cooperation opportunities between our countries and give a chance to further strengthen and reinvigorate Polish-Finnish relations,” stressed the minister.
The talks also covered security matters in the region, in particular the consequences of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, including humanitarian issues, as well as possibilities of further support to Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor. Minister Rau emphasised that Russia – responsible for dismantlingthe existing security architecture in Europe and provoking the biggest crisis since the Second World War – should be isolated in the international community. He also stressed need to adopt another round of sanctions. Furthermore, the minister called for solidarity with Ukraine and lending the country the political, military, economic, and humanitarian support it needs.
The head of Polish diplomacy also talked about the current situation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. He spoke about Poland’s commitment, as the country chairing the Organisation, to ensuring the OSCE’s continuous presence in Ukraine. Referring to Finland’s upcoming OSCE chairmanship in 2025, he reassured of Poland’s readiness to support the country in its preparations for assuming the leadership of the Organisation and to share Poland’s experience in the matter.
Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson
