Sweden prepared to help with Finland's border issues, PM Kristersson says
The Swedish premier noted that Finland's eastern border is a matter that affects the entire European Union.
- Yle News
The issues Finland is facing along its eastern border is one that affects the entire EU, and Sweden is prepared to help, according to Swedish Prime MinisterUlf Kristersson.
The Swedish premier made the comments on Monday in Helsinki, alongside Finnish Prime MinisterPetteri Orpo (NCP) at a joint press conference.
The issues Kristersson was referring to were the hundreds of asylum seekers that been arriving from the Russia August. Finland has accused Russia of conducting a hybrid attack, effectively driving the migrants to the border. As a result, last week Finland shut down seven out of its eight eastern border crossings.
On Sunday PM Orpo said Finland wasprepared to shut the entire eastern border, if necessary.
In the past it has been southern member states like Greece, Spain and Italy that have dealt with problems along the EU's external borders.
But now, according to Kristersson, those problems have shifted northward. He suggested that Russia appeared to be trying to create troubles, divisions and disruptions in Europe.
"It is a serious thing to take advantage of asylum seekers and make people end up in this situation. That's not how neighbours are supposed to behave," Kristersson said.
Orpo pointed out that even though Finland has not seen the amount of migrants as the southern EU states, the situation along the Russian border still poses a serious threat.
"This is Russian aggression towards the European Union. This is a hybrid attack, and that's why this is so serious for the EU," Orpo said.
During their meeting, the Nordic PMs discussed other security matters. Sweden's defence and foreign ministers as well as military experts were also in Finland on Monday, meeting with their Finnish counterparts.
One topic of discussion was Sweden's pending membership in Nato. Its application to join the alliance still awaits approval by Turkey and Hungary.
On Monday evening Orpo and Kristersson were scheduled to meet with PresidentSauli Niinistö.
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