Roberta METSOLA, EP President, welcomes Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister to the European Parliament in Strasbourg to participate to the "This is Europe" debate. Extracts from her arrival and from the debate with MEPs.

debate

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

MARIN, Sanna (FI)

This is Europe Debate (T)

This is Europe - Debate with Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister: arrival, welcome and extracts from the debate

External shots, arrival of Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, welcome by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, 13/09/2022, (3 shots)

Internal shots, Family photo with Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister and Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, 13/09/2022, (7 shots)

Internal shots, signature of the golden book Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, Strasbourg, France, 13/09/2022, (2 shots)

Internal shots, meeting with Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister and Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, 13/09/2022, (3 shots)

Interna l shots, chamber, plenary session, arrival Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister and Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, 13/09/2022, (6 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Today we have with us the Prime Minister. Thank you, dear Sanna, for accepting our invitation to address the Parliament and the people of Europe as part of our This is Europe series of debates.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Work must start immediately to build a real security and defence union. And here I would like to welcome Finland's historic decision to join in NATO. We know Finland has been a longtime NATO partner and will be a key security contributor in northern Europe and in the Baltic Sea area. The ramping up of efforts , dear colleagues will come at a cost. But if ever there was a moment for more Europe, it is here and it is now.

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, There is hope even in the darkest moments. Ukraine will win this war with our support. There is no other alternative. In our hearts, the Ukrainians have already won it.

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, We need unity now more than ever, as Russia is using energy as a weapon against Europe. Blackmailing our societies through energy supply is a way to erode European support for Ukraine and break down our unity. Putin must not succeed in this

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister,  Using energy to blackmail us is a short-sighted strategy for Russia. The ongoing energy crisis will simply accelerate Europe&rsquo;s transition away from Russian fossil fuels. With its war, Russia is destroying its economy and future. Russia has broken our trust. Even if the war ended today, our confidence would not be restored for a long time.

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, We must be just as united and determined in showing solidarity towards our citizens and looking after them as we have been in responding to Russia&rsquo;s blackmail. We must ensure the availability of energy across Europe and be prepared to take exceptional measures to lower energy prices.

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, We will survive Russia&rsquo;s blackmail and the long winter ahead. But for that we need unity, determination and courage. We may count the cost of war in euros, but Ukrainians count it in human lives. This is not only about Ukraine, but about European values and the entire rules-based international system. 

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, The Russian war of aggression triggered Finland and Sweden&rsquo;s applications for NATO membership. Our countries&rsquo; membership in NATO will strengthen the security of the whole Northern Europe and reinforce the Alliance. Russia&rsquo;s actions have unified the West as never before, while Russia is lonelier than ever.

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Sanna MARIN, Finnish Prime Minister, Sanctions must be reflected in the everyday lives of ordinary Russians. It is not right that while Russia kills civilians in Ukraine, Russian tourists travel freely in Europe. For that reason, we must place strict restrictions on issuing visas. In the current situation, completely suspending the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia is justified, but this alone is not sufficient.