FM Pejčinović Burić receives Finnish counterpart Soini

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 3 September 2018 met with Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini, who was on a working visit to Croatia

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 3 September 2018 met with Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini, who was on a working visit to Croatia.

The two officials discussed bilateral relations and prospects of further strengthening the cooperation. “Finland continuously supported Croatia during our accession process, and today both countries advocate a more intensive cooperation within the EU, especially given that Croatia and Finland, together with Romania, form a trio that will chair the European Union from January 2019 to June 2020”, said Pejčinović Burić.

Bilateral cooperation could also be advance in the area of economy, notably tourism, as we are seeing a continuous growth in the number of tourists from Finland. Other areas with potential for strengthening the two countries’ cooperation include energy, IT sector and food industry.   

Soini underscored Finland’s full support for Croatia’s foreign-policy priorities – membership of the Schengen Area, OECD and Eurozone – as soon as the criteria are fulfilled.

Pejčinović Burić and Soini exchanged views on the current issues regarding Southeast Europe, underscoring the importance of a consistent approach to EU enlargement and support for membership once the criteria are met. Pejčinović Burić welcomed the EU’s renewed focus on the enlargement policy and confirmation of membership perspective for all six Southeast European countries.

The two ministers also talked about cooperation in the context of the Council of Europe chairmanship, which Finland is to take over from Croatia in November. 

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