President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö paid a working visit to Lithuania and met President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda in Vilnius on Friday, 4 November 2022.
The Presidents’ discussion topics on this working visit included Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, security in Europe and the Baltic Sea region, Finland’s NATO accession and bilateral relations between Finland and Lithuania.
“Last year marked the one hundredth anniversary of the date on which diplomatic relations were established between Finland and Lithuania. Perhaps we can make the next hundred years even better”, President Niinistö noted at the Presidents’ joint press conference. President Niinistö thanked President Nausėda for his help in the NATO accession process and the fast ratification of Finland’s membership.
Our shared Baltic Sea region
President Niinistö also highlighted strengthening cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8): “The Baltic Sea region is something we all share. I recently had an opportunity to meet Nordic Heads of State in Helsinki. I brought up the possibility of stepping up the NB8 cooperation through even more frequent discussions between the different committees of our Parliaments. This would also reflect the importance of staying together.”
The Presidents shared their concern over the current security situation. “On the other hand, we very firmly believe that ultimately, peace will come and justice will prevail.”
President Niinistö and President Nausėda continued their discussions over a shared lunch.
In the afternoon, President Niinistö met Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament. The topics covered by the President and the Speaker included Ukraine, the energy situation in Europe as well as cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries.
President Niinistö made his previous visit to Lithuania in 2018, attending the 100th Anniversary of the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence. President Nausėda paid a working visit to Finland in November 2019.
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President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda received President Niinistö on a working visit in Vilnius on Friday, 4 November 2022. Photo: Jouni Mölsä/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda received President Niinistö on a working visit in Vilnius on Friday, 4 November 2022. Photo: Jouni Mölsä/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The Presidents conducting bilateral discussions. Photo: Robertas Dačkus/Office of the President of Lithuania
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Press conference of the visit. Photo: Robertas Dačkus/Office of the President of Lithuania
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Press conference of the visit. Photo: Robertas Dačkus/Office of the President of Lithuania
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Press conference of the visit. Photo: Robertas Dačkus/Office of the President of Lithuania
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Visit to the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and meeting with Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania
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Visit to the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and meeting with Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. Photo: Jouni Mölsä/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Visit to the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and meeting with Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania