Finland Times

 

A handout picture released by UNIFIL on August 18, 2015 shows Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila (C) and his Estonian counterpart Taavi Roivas (R) paying a joint visit to the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqura, in southern Lebanon, where they met with Finnish and Estonian peacekeepers. Photo AFP-LEHTIKUVA

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä together with Prime Minister of Estonia, Taavi Rõivas, on Tuesday met in Beirut with Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salim and Speaker of Parliament Nahib Berri.

 

The discussions focused on bilateral relations between the countries, the humanitarian and refugee situation in the area, the Syrian conflict and the wider regional situation in the Middle East, said a government press release. 

 

“Finland's longstanding participation in the UNIFIL peacekeeping operation has provided a solid foundation for the good relations between our countries,” said Sipilä. 

 

He said the prolonged Syrian conflict has had many heavy repercussions for the wider situation in the region. One of them is the major humanitarian crisis it has caused. 

 

“The impact of the crisis is very concrete also in Lebanon where the number of refugees who have fled Syria has reached over a million. Finland has supported Lebanon in this difficult situation by means of both humanitarian aid and development cooperation,” said the Prime Minister.

 

“The situation in the Middle East continues to raise concerns in many ways. Fortunately, there is also good news – the agreement reached in the Iran nuclear programme talks in July serves to reinforce our confidence in the possibility of finding a solution even in difficult matters. Increasing stability in the Middle East would be important also in terms of many other international questions, such as tackling the root causes of displacement and working against radicalisation,” added Sipilä. 

 

The Prime Ministers during their two-day visit to Lebanon from Monday paid a visit to UNIFIL peacekeeping operation in South Lebanon.