President, parties’ leaders discuss security, NATO issues

President Sauli Niinistö on Friday met with the chairs of parties elected to Parliament at his official residence Mäntyniemi and discussed Finland’s security, the progress of the NATO membership process, and other current foreign policy issues, said the President Office in a press release.

“Maximising Finland’s security, both internal and external, is our common goal. It was good to note that there is a common will,” said Niinistö.

The meeting was attended by Chair of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) and Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Chair of Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) and Finance Minister Annika Saarikko, Chair of Vihreä Liitto (Green League) and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo, Chair of the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) and Minister of Education Li Andersson, Chair of the Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party of Finland-RKP) and Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson, Chair of the main opposition Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) Riikka Purra, Chair of the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) Petteri Orpo, Chair of the SuomenKristillisdemokraati (Christian Democratic Party) Sari Essayah and Chair of the Liike Nyt (Movement Now) Harry Harkimo.

Niinistö last met with the party leaders on 5 May, when the meeting was also attended by the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of Parliament, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees.