The Diplomat
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, concluded yesterday in Helsinki his second European tour to prepare the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council, where he addressed, among other issues, Finland’s candidacy to NATO, strategic autonomy and the war in Ukraine.
Sánchez held a bilateral meeting with the Finnish Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, to whom he reiterated the Spanish Government’s support for Finland’s accession to the Atlantic Alliance, a decision that aligns this country “with the defense of justice, freedom and the defense of our democracies”.
Likewise, Pedro Sánchez highlighted “the harmony that exists between Spain and Finland on many issues”, such as the improvement of workers’ conditions, the fight against gender violence, depopulation or the welfare of the elderly, and talked with his Finnish counterpart about the intergovernmental project for “open strategic autonomy”, which “Spain has launched and will continue to promote during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU”, according to Moncloa in a press release. “This autonomy will guarantee diversification of our products, will allow us to gain in security in areas such as health or food safety”, declared the head of the Executive.
Likewise, the President of the Government and Sanna Marin addressed the war in Ukraine and agreed on the need to continue supporting President Volodymir Zelenski in his search for a lasting, just peace that respects international law. “Our unity is resounding,” declared Pedro Sanchez. “We will support Ukraine until the last Russian soldier leaves the country,” he added.
For her part, as reported by the Finnish government, Sanna Marin thanked Spain for “its unconditional support” for Finland’s NATO membership and stated that Finland and Spain share many common goals and work together to strengthen the rules-based multilateral system and to promote human rights, gender equality and a just green transition. Yesterday’s was Pedro Sanchez’s first visit to Finland since taking office. Sanna Marin visited Spain in January 2022.
