Official website of the President of Russia

News   /

The two presidents discussed the situation with bilateral relations following Finland’s decision not to allow entry to an official Russian delegation headed by State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin to take part in the  Background information Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s annual session in Helsinki on July 5–9, 2015. Mr Putin noted that this decision, taken under pressure from some members of the European Union, was not correct from a legal point of view.

The two presidents expressed their confidence that despite the influence of external factors, Russia and Finland, through their joint efforts, will maintain their relations as good neighbours and friends. In this respect, they emphasised the importance and relevance of the agreements signed during Mr Niinistö’s visit to Moscow on June 16, 2015. They also discussed specific bilateral cooperation projects.

Mr Putin and Mr Niinistö also exchanged views on current international issues, including Ukraine and the outcome of the Vienna talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.