Finland can co-chair a Civil Protection Coalition
The Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Finland Denys Shmyhal and Petteri Orpo discussed issues in the defence and security sector, as well as cooperation in the energy and social sectors. The meeting took place on 18 October as part of the working visit of the Head of the Ukrainian Government to Helsinki.
The parties exchanged views on the development of the civil protection system. First and foremost, they addressed the issue of the construction of a shelter network in Ukraine. Denys Shmyhal proposed to establish a Civil Protection Coalition.
"Finland can play a key role and co-chair this coalition," the Prime Minister of Ukraine said.
The two officials also discussed steps to strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the implementation of the security agreement signed by the Presidents of Ukraine and Finland.
Denys Shmyhal stressed that Ukraine counts on Finland's continued support for Ukraine's NATO accession, being the first point of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Victory Plan.
The Prime Minister thanked the Finnish Government for its support of the Peace Formula as well as for Ukraine's aspiration to join the EU as soon as possible.
In addition, Denys Shmyhal and Petteri Orpo discussed cooperation in the social, construction and energy sectors.
In particular, during the meeting, the heads of government signed an agreement between the ministries of health of the two countries aimed at overcoming the negative consequences of the war in this area.
The two Prime Ministers also touched upon the issue of Ukraine's recovery.
"The Government of Finland has prepared a comprehensive plan for participation in the reconstruction and approved the first part of it. In addition, 18 cities of Ukraine and Finland have already signed twinning agreements," said Denys Shmyhal.
The meeting focused on cooperation in the energy sector, which is important for Ukraine. Finland is expected to provide a new aid package that will include various power equipment.
"Ukraine has already received 200 transformers and 500 generators of various types, as well as 8,000 units of related power equipment.
Finland has also allocated EUR 5 million to improve the energy efficiency of schools, kindergartens, and hospitals. Today we are focusing on the new critical needs of the energy sector. We have a principled position that russian funds should be the primary source of recovery. I am grateful to Finland for its active role in directing the frozen russian assets to the defence and reconstruction of Ukraine," said Denys Shmyhal.
The Prime Minister stressed that it is important to block russia's access to circumvent sanctions. He thanked the Finnish Government for more than 740 customs investigations into possible violations of sanctions restrictions.