President of the Riigikogu is visiting Finland

NordenBladet —

President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas is on a one-day visit to Finland today, to express support for Finland’s accession to NATO.

Russia’s brutal attack on Ukraine had irreversibly changed the security situation in Europe, as Ratas sees it. “Estonia is a firm supporter of both Finland and Sweden joining NATO. We are ready for a quick negotiation process and immediate ratification of treaties. That would be a big step towards enhancing the security in the whole Baltic Sea region,” the President of the Riigikogu said.

Ratas is meeting the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Matti Vanhanen, Deputy Speakers Antti Rinne and Juho Eerola, Chair of the Finland-Estonia Friendship Group Mikko Savola, and Chair of the Environment Committee Juha Sipilä. Ratas will also meet the Minister of Finance Annikka Saarikko and pay a visit to the Embassy of Estonia where he will meet local Estonians.

The visit is taking place at a time when the Finnish Parliament is discussing and voting on a draft for applying for NATO membership. The two parties will discuss Finland’s further steps towards becoming a member state. Other topics include continuing the pressure on Russia and supporting Ukraine.

Ratas is accompanied with the Chair of the Estonia-Finland Parliamentary Group Helmen Kütt and member of the Group Aivar Sõerd.

Photos of the visit (the gallery is updated starting from noon, author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia