On 6 July 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, welcomed the Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering of Finland, Tytti Tuppurainen, to Riga. During the meeting, the Ministers discussed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, security issues, Finland’s course towards membership in NATO, and latest developments in the European Union.
Edgars Rinkēvičs highlighted the historically close relations between Latvia and Finland and thanked Finland for good cooperation not only at the regional and European Union level but also internationally. The Minister noted that from the present-day perspective when the region was being affected by serious change in the customary security infrastructure it was even more important to be close – not only as neighbours but also as partners.
In an exchange of views on Finland’s NATO membership, Minister Rinkēvičs clearly affirmed that doors to NATO should be kept open to any European democracy. Latvia supports Finland and Sweden joining NATO, said the Minister, adding that the accession would be a contribution to the strengthening the region’s security and NATO’s deterrence and defence capabilities.
As regards Russian aggression against Ukraine, the two ministers were unanimous that international community should continue providing all possible assistance to Ukraine. Edgars Rinkēvičs called on Finland to support Ukraine being offered official EU candidate status.