President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö hosted a working visit to Finland by President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, 21 August 2019.
The official discussions of the visit were held in the Presidential Palace during the afternoon. At a joint press conference, President Niinistö said that the Presidents discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including cooperation within the Council of Europe, efforts to combat black carbon, and the situation in the Baltic Sea.
“During Finland’s Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, efforts to combat black carbon have been prominent, and I am very pleased to hear now from President Putin that Russia has taken the challenge seriously,” said President Niinistö at the start of the press conference.
With regard to the Council of Europe, President Niinistö expressed his satisfaction that Russia is, once again, a contributing member of the Council. “This solution was also advocated by Finland. It is very important that Russia is within the framework of European human rights regulation,” said President Niinistö.
At the press conference, President Niinistö voiced his concern about the abandonment of the INF Treaty limiting medium- and intermediate-range missiles. “I think this is problematic, particularly for Europe. That’s why it would be extremely important for new negotiations on arms control to be initiated and agreements reached,” said President Niinistö to the media.
According to President Niinistö, the Presidents also addressed the topic of Ukraine during their hour-old discussion. “It appears that practical work is under way, and I will accordingly try to promote it,” he said. President Niinistö will make an official visit to Ukraine next month.
No problems in bilateral relations
One of the topics discussed during the visit was bilateral relations between Finland and Russia. “Many things are moving in a better direction, for example in mutual trade and tourism. Growth is evident in both areas,” said President Niinistö.
Following the press conference, the Presidents travelled on the Kultaranta VIII yacht to the Suomenlinna, where they continued the day’s discussions over dinner.
Joint press conference
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö welcomed President of Russia Vladimir Putin to a working visit to Finland. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Tasavallan presidentti Sauli Niinistö vastaanotti Venäjän presidentti Vladimir Putinin työvierailulle Suomeen. Kuva: Roni Rekomaa / Tasavallan presidentin kanslia
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö welcomed President of Russia Vladimir Putin to a working visit to Finland. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed the guestbook. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and President of Russia Vladimir Putin in the Yellow room. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Delegation discussion took place at the 3rd floor salon. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a press conference in the Hall of State. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a press conference in the Hall of State. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a press conference in the Hall of State. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö and president Putin on deck of Kultaranta VIII yacht. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Kultaranta VIII yacht on the way to Suomenlinna. Photo: Juhani Kandell/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö and president Putin at Suomenlinna. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö and president Putin at Suomenlinna. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö and President Putin's discussions over dinner at Suomenlinna. Photo: Roni Rekomaa/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland