At a press conference following her meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, the Chancellor pointed to "the traditionally excellent relations between Germany and Finland". This also applies to the "extremely vibrant trading relations." In many policy areas, Finland and Germany are "good, intensive partners".

Sanna Marin took office as Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland on 10 December 2019. The 34-year-old is the youngest head of government the northern European state has ever had.

Shaping digitalisation, mastering climate change

The two countries engage in extensive dialogue, especially on pivotal issues that will shape the future, including digitalisation, said Angela Merkel. "We have very similar positions on climate change in particular, and we thus also enjoy excellent cooperation," stressed the Chancellor. In development cooperation with other parts of the world, stressed the Chancellor, "we get on very well together".

Clarifying the future financing of the EU

As well as bilateral relations, the two leaders discussed the European agenda. Before the end of this week, there is to be a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels, in order to reach agreement on the long-term EU budget plan for the 2021-2027. Finland and Germany are both net contributors, and thus have a common interest "in a successful meeting of the European Council and in resolving the financial questions for the next few years," said Angela Merkel.

"I foresee very tough and very difficult negotiations," said the Chancellor, and thanked the Finnish leaders for "intensive, good and above all cordial talks".