“Germany and the Nordic countries are very close, not only geographically, but also culturally and politically.” With these words, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz thanked Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo for the invitation to Turku at a joint press conference on Tuesday.

Merz travelled to Finland’s oldest city on Monday to attend a dinner as guest of honour at the summit meeting of the five Nordic countries (N5) Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. In addition to the prime ministers of the N5, political representatives from Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland were also present. Following his talks with Orpo, Merz was also received by Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Tuesday.

Read the most important facts in brief here:

• Strengthening security in the Baltic Sea Region: According to Chancellor Merz, security issues played a major role both in the bilateral talks and in the N5 framework. Hybrid attacks, cut cables and damaged pipelines all pose a threat to security, he said, and “We are taking this very seriously together.” Examples of protective measures given by the Chancellor included the NATO mission “Baltic Sentry”, but also the EU sanctions imposed on Russia, and a very close cooperation in the area of crisis management. The Russian shadow fleet is also being targeted with the EU’s 17th sanctions package, he said, adding that “Putin only understands the language of strength, not weakness.”
• Combating irregular migration: Merz asserted that securing the EU’s external borders was a priority. He expressed the “greatest appreciation” towards Finland for securing the EU’s external borders. There was, he said, no other country in the EU with such a long external border with Russia – more than 1,300 kilometres. Russia and Belarus have instrumentalised migration as part of the hybrid warfare against the West, and “We will not accept this,” the Federal Chancellor emphasised. Finland would not be left alone. “Finland's external borders are also our external borders,” emphasised Merz.
• Resolute support for Ukraine: The war against Ukraine is challenging Europe and its freedom. Nevertheless, one thing is already clear: “Russia miscalculated.” Instead of dividing Europe and weakening NATO, the war of aggression against Ukraine has had the exact opposite effect, the Chancellor said. The contribution of Sweden and Finland has made NATO stronger than ever before, Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised. He announced that joint support for Ukraine would be continued and expanded.

Read the transcript of the press conference here (in German only):