Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will pay a working visit to Finland on 13 and 14 June 2024, where she will also attend the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
On Thursday 13 June, the Minister will meet the Speaker of Eduskunta Mr Jussi Halla-aho, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen. Bilateral and regional cooperation on security and economic issues, support to Ukraine, as well as NATO, the European Union and other international issues will be discussed with Finnish government officials.
The Minister will take part in a panel discussion on European foreign and security policy at the Kultaranta Talks 2024 hosted by President of Finland Alexander Stubb. This year’s conference will focus on Europe in the evolving world order. A bilateral conversation between Minister Braže and the President of Finland is also scheduled.
During the visit, Baiba Braže will meet President of the Nordic Investment Bank André Küüsvek.
The Foreign Ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States will convene in Porvoo, Finland, on 14 June 2024, for the 21st CBSS Ministerial Session.
The Ministers will discuss issues related to the security and welfare of the region, the most important challenges of the day and how they can be effectively addressed in the CBSS format.
Minister Baiba Braže will also hold a bilateral conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide.
Background information
The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is a political forum for intergovernmental cooperation in the region, consisting of the three Baltic states, the five Nordic countries, as well as Poland, Germany and the European Commission.
The CBSS identifies policy objectives (high-level meetings, sectoral ministerial conferences), develops action plans (Committee of Senior Officials and expert groups), proposes and implements strategic projects of regional importance in the long-term priorities identified by the CBSS, and serves as a forum for exchanging views and ideas on regional issues.
Finland holds the Presidency of the CBSS from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.