WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Strengthening the security of the Baltic Sea region requires dialogue with Russia, Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto said at the White House ahead of a summit with his US and Nordic counterparts on Friday.
"The situation has become even more tense in the Baltic Sea region and northern Europe — our neck of the woods," Niinisto said during opening remarks with US President Barack Obama and Nordic leaders. "Strengthening security and stability there is called for, and this includes appropriate dialogue with Russia to enhance transparency and reduce risks."
Niinisto noted that the Arctic Council can be used as an instrument of relationship-building in the region.
In her remarks, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Norway supports efforts to reduce the number of nuclear weapons to make the world safer.
The US-Nordic Leaders Summit is expected to address issues such as terrorism, climate change, nuclear security and the ongoing refugee crisis in the region.