The Russian President and the Finnish Prime Minister discussed important aspects of bilateral trade and economic cooperation in line with the Nordic Dimension programme. The sides discussed security issues, the upcoming expansion of the European Union and NATO, as well as problems in Russia’s relations with the Baltic countries.
Mr Putin said Finland was Russia’s close and traditional partner and expressed certainty that both countries had no unresolved issues.
The Russian head of state accepted an invitation to pay an official visit to Finland in September 2001.