During yesterday’s meeting Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Finland’s Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen concentrated on the future cooperation of the two countries. Ansip noted that Finland is Estonia’s most important foreign trade partner and Estonia is very important for Finland as well, writes aripaev.ee.

While talking about the current state of relations between the two states, Andrus Ansip commented that they are very good and brought out a lot of examples. “Finland is Estonia’s most important foreign trade party and, considering the foreign investments, Estonia is very important for Finland as well. We can already talk about 150 joint science projects,” said Ansip.

At the same time, Estonia’s PM emphasised that there is continuous work being done to keep the relations between the two states as good as they are now. The report about the future relations of the two states is also a very important part of that cooperation according to Ansip. “If the relations between Estonia and Finland are as good as they are, then such a summary, based on analysis, of the regions ability to cooperate is necessary,” he said. Ansip explained that it helps to map the current state of relations and show in which directions more ambitious goals should be aimed for.

“I am convinced that a denser integration in the area would give additional advantages to both countries in the globalising economy,” he pointed out.

From the European Union topics the need for the ratification of the Lisbon Contract as well as the united energy marked and security of the member states were discussed.

While talking about the future cooperation between the two states the Prime Ministers based their discussion on the report, which was put together by Finland’s ex-ambassador in Estonia Jaakko Blomberg and the vice-president of Nordic Investment Bank Gunnar Okk, about the possibilities in which the two states could work together.

Both parties agreed that the report is an important vision and expressed belief that it will inspire numerous different parties to have meaningful discussions about the future of the region.