Farnesina Secretary-General, Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi, met today with Finland’s permanent State Secretary, Ambassador Matti Anttonen, with whom he discussed the main bilateral, European and international affairs.
They discussed at great lengths the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. In this regard, Ambassador Sequi and Ambassador Anttonen condemned the Russian aggression, while also expressing their great concern for the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and stressing the importance for the talks between Kyiv and Moscow to swiftly reach a solution. Ambassador Sequi and Ambassador Anttonen then addressed the common actions supporting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Regarding the situation in Lybia, they agreed on the need to support the United Nations’ mediation effort.
Ambassador Sequi said he is satisfied with the excellent relations existing between Italy and Finland and with the two countries’ convergence within the context of the European Union. He also said he hopes there can be an acceleration towards a greater strategic autonomy of the European Union and that new momentum can be achieved in the integration process of the Western Balkans. During the meeting, common interest emerged in pursuing the intense political contacts at all levels and in further strengthening economic and cultural cooperation.