ANI
15 May 2022, 04:37 GMT+10
Helsinki [Finland], May 14 (ANI/Sputnik): Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on Saturday said that it was important for Helsinki to remain in contact with Moscow to preserve peace on the Russian-Finnish border.
"It is very important for Finland to maintain communication with Russia since the two countries share such a long bilateral border," Haavisto said at the doorstep of the informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, commenting on the telephone conversation between Russian and Finnish leaders held earlier in the day.
Finland and Russia share a 1,300 kilometres long border, the minister said, adding that Helsinki would like to continue maintaining the peace on the border. Thus, Haavisto said, "it is very important that we communicate with our neighbours."Russian President Vladimir Putin had an exchange of views with his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, on Helsinki's intention to apply for NATO membership in a telephone conversation initiated by Finland on Saturday.
Putin told Niinisto that Finland's accession to NATO could have a negative impact on relations between the countries, which were built in the spirit of good neighbourliness and partnership and were of mutual benefit. Putin reiterated that Moscow does not pose any threat to Helsinki, therefore abandoning the Finnish traditional policy of military neutrality would be a mistake.
On his part, Niinisto told Putin that Russia's demands aiming at preventing countries from joining NATO and its military operation in Ukraine have fundamentally altered the security environment in Finland. Helsinki wishes to strengthen its own security, Niinisto said, adding that Finland would like "to take care of the practical questions arising from being a neighbour of Russia in a correct and professional manner" in the future. (ANI/Sputnik)
Get a daily dose of Europe Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Europe Sun.
More InformationBERLIN, Germany: At least 43 people were injured after a tornado struck the western German city of Paderborn on May ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The Department of Justice has said that an American citizen and four Chinese intelligence officers have been charged ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: Due to the inability of businesses to hire enough workers, the U.S. has announced that it will grant ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Mike Rounds have introduced a bipartisan resolution requesting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ...
MOSCOW, Russia: According to preliminary data released by the finance ministry this week, almost three months after Moscow's invasion of ...
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: After China's decision to not host the 2023 Asian Cup, a choice for a new host will ...
NEW DELHI, India: Skyroot, India's first privately held company to design, build and test a solid rocket propulsion system, successfully ...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Stocks in Asia were mostly moderately higher at the close Monday, while the U.S. dollar was ...
BEIJING, China: Chinese consumers have been vocal in their criticism of a $1,373 Gucci umbrella which should be kept out ...
STUTTGART, Germany: Beginning in 2025, Mercedes-Benz will incorporate a new, highly energy-dense battery in its G-Class electric vehicles, potentially solving ...
LONDON, England: UK prices are rising at their fastest rate in 40 years, as higher energy bills are changing spending ...
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: Amidst the rising costs of essentials, such as fuel and food, and the rapid return by consumers to ...