Finland Times

 

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen addressing at a post meeting joint press conference at The Government Banquet Hall in Helsinki Wednesday. Photo - Lehtikuva.

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen on Wednesday encouraged his visiting Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take more reform programmes to ease entry into the European Union.

 

“When we will be able to share the same values, it is natural to see us in the same union,” said Katainen at a joint press conference after a meeting with his counterpart at Helsinki.

 

Appreciating Finland’s positive attitudes and continuous support for his country, Erdogan claimed that people enjoyed liberty in his country and citizens’ private lives was not interrupted there.

 

“The European Union is not just a free trade area, rather it is a union of values that cannot be avoided”, said the Finnish prime minister, adding that negotiations regarding Turkey’s inclusion in the EU were progressing slowly because of political reasons as some member states were not open on the point.

 

Katainen, however, admitted that he was glad with the progress made by Turkey.

 

The visiting Turkish premier also faced protest before his speech for his government’s role in suppressing the agitation of environmentalists in Taksim Gezi Park last summer.

 

The president, Sauli Niinistö (left) and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shaking hands during a meeting at the official residence of the President in Helsinki on Wednesday. Photo - Lehtikuva.

The protests disrupted the programme for a short while, reported Yle.

 

A woman raised her voice pointing out the unemployment situation of the country and the police action in Gezi Park. However, later she was taken away by the security personnel.

 

The woman was also holding banners displaying photos of the people, who were killed during the agitation at Taksim Square in Istanbul, said the Yle report.

 

At the press conference, journalists also raised the issue of the Turkish government’s intention to restrict the female students.

 

The Turkish premier also pointed out the role of his country in giving shelter to the Syrian refugees.

 

“At this moment there are 600,000 refugees in Turkey. 200,000 of them are still living in tents and trailers,” said Erdogan, adding that his government had already received €2bn as aid for the refugees and more support was needed in this regard.

 

Katainen also discussed the possibilities of extending cooperation in the energy, nuclear safety and education sectors of Turkey with the visiting prime minister, who was leading a big delegation of about 200 members from the government and business sectors.

 

The meeting also discussed other key regional and international issues.

 

During his visit, Prime Minister Erdoğan also met Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Parliament Speaker Eero Heinäluoma and Finnish business representatives.