PM opening remarks at press conference in Finland: 11 May 2022
The Prime Minister's opening remarks at a press conference in Finland with President Niinistö.
Thank you very much President Sauli Niinistö and thank you for hosting me today. It’s wonderful to be in Helsinki this evening, at this pivotal a moment in our shared history.
It’s pivotal because, as I also discussed with colleagues with Prime Minister Andersson in Sweden, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed the equation of European security and it has rewritten our reality and reshaped our future.
We’ve seen the end of the post-Cold War period, and the invasion of Ukraine sadly has opened a new chapter.
That invasion has already failed for two reasons.
Firstly because of the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people who have fought back and rallied the world behind them.
And secondly because that Ukraine struggle for freedom, that heroic fight, has brought the world together in condemnation of this assault on our values.
And it would be fair to say it has also brought Finland and the UK even closer together today.
The security declaration, the solemn declaration, we have signed today ensures our two nations can intensify our partnership and take it to unparalleled heights – both latitudinal and metaphorical.
From the High North to the Baltics and beyond, our armed forces will train, operate, and exercise together - marrying our defence and security capabilities and formalising a pledge that we will always come to one another’s aid.
Because this is not a short term stop gap as you consider NATO membership, but an enduring assurance between our two nations.
An assurance that brings us even closer together as we face the challenges of today, the threats of tomorrow, side-by-side.