Niinistö, Macron discuss security issues in Paris

President Sauli Niinistö on Sunday had talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris, local media reported.

Finland and representatives of eight other countries participating in the French defense cooperation, known as the intervention initiative, were invited to attend the French national day parade. Niinistö and Macron later talked privately.

Niinistö told Finnish media they had discussed the admission of new countries into the initiative group and relations with Russia.

Niinistö said that, as he will be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future, he was pleased to hear Macron's views.

Niinistö reminded that Macron has suggested European security architecture and one of its aspects would be to "clarify the relationship with Russia".

Niinistö said that "clarifying" does not mean that the EU countries would be easing their attitude towards the actions of Russia related to Ukraine. He endorsed the "two-track policy" that allows both reaction and another track for exchange of views.

Commentators have said the French defense initiative is not part of the EU defense cooperation and that situation has aroused also questions.

Niinistö told Finnish media he and Macron had also discussed "how many different defense initiatives, under different leadership, fit into Europe.

"I do not see a major problem in it. At least not now," Niinistö said, quoted by Finnish news agency STT.

STT noted that the date of Niinistö's meeting with Putin has not been published yet.

President Sauli Niinistö on Sunday had talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris, local media reported.

Finland and representatives of eight other countries participating in the French defense cooperation, known as the intervention initiative, were invited to attend the French national day parade. Niinistö and Macron later talked privately.

Niinistö told Finnish media they had discussed the admission of new countries into the initiative group and relations with Russia.

Niinistö said that, as he will be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future, he was pleased to hear Macron's views.

Niinistö reminded that Macron has suggested European security architecture and one of its aspects would be to "clarify the relationship with Russia".

Niinistö said that "clarifying" does not mean that the EU countries would be easing their attitude towards the actions of Russia related to Ukraine. He endorsed the "two-track policy" that allows both reaction and another track for exchange of views.

Commentators have said the French defense initiative is not part of the EU defense cooperation and that situation has aroused also questions.

Niinistö told Finnish media he and Macron had also discussed "how many different defense initiatives, under different leadership, fit into Europe.

"I do not see a major problem in it. At least not now," Niinistö said, quoted by Finnish news agency STT.

STT noted that the date of Niinistö's meeting with Putin has not been published yet.