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Anti-Russian sanctions

Finnish top diplomat says Helsinki, Moscow engaged in open dialogue

The Finnish foreign minister comments on the EU santions against Russia, the safety of flights over the Baltic Sea

© EPA/MAURITZ ANTIN

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Finland’s top diplomat expects further successful cross-border cooperation with Russia

HELSINKI, October 11 /TASS/. Finland and Russia maintain an open bilateral dialogue and discuss their problems in straight talks, according to Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini.

"What comes to Russia - we have been cooperating with them all the time and every time we speak with them. I think it is good. And if we disagree we'll say it clearly and loudly, there is nothing exceptional in that. If there are problems, we deal with them accordingly with straight talk. And Russia respects that," Soini told journalists on Tuesday.

At the same time, Soini added that Finland was a European Union member, which continued adhering to the policy of sanctions, which the EU had imposed on Russia.

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"I want to stress one thing and that is for sure. Now that we have these sanctions decided by EU Finland will stay in the unified front. Minsk agreement should be fulfilled and then sanctions could be lifted," the Finnish foreign minister added.

The Finnish foreign minister also touched upon the safety of flights over the Baltic Sea. He said the problem could not be brought down to discussions among regional states and should be discussed at several floors. "It is not just neighboring countries - the Baltic States, Northern Europe or Russia. There is also the Russia-NATO Council and other floors, which could also deal with the issue," Soini stressed.

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