Conference turris::scandia

217.0. "Finnish-Swedish relationships" by TLE::SAVAGE (Neil, @Spit Brook) Wed Jun 24 1987 10:41

 *NIB****                  Copyright 1986 XINHUA            SISCOM IP
    
                    FINNISH FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS SWEDEN
    
    STOCKHOLM, JUNE 23 (XINHUA) -- Finland and Sweden are discussing the
    possibility of signing a mutual confidence accord over their ocean
    region, Finnish foreign minister Kalevi Sorsa said here today. 
    
    At a news conference, Sorsa said both nations would benefit from such
    an accord, a topic he discussed earlier with Swedish foreign minister
    Sten Andersson. Sorsa pledged that the foreign policy of the new
    Finnish government, elected in April, will remain unchanged and
    Helsinki will continue to promote cooperation with other Nordic
    countries. Finland will also maintain friendly neighboring relations
    with the Soviet Union, he added. 
    
    He said the recent Reykjavik meeting of the 12 NATO foreign ministers
    was a positive move toward an accord on mid and shortrange nuclear
    missiles in Europe. Sorsa said he hopes that negotiations on limiting
    other types of weaponry will also progress. Finland and Sweden are both
    militarily neutral. 
    
    On a nuclearfree zone in north Europe, the foreign minister said he
    feels satisfied with the official committee working for the purpose. He
    hoped the committee will present reports on the issue this September.
    
    Sorsa said Nordic countries will continue to take part in international
    sanctions against South Africa. The foreign minister, who arrived this
    morning for a one day visit, was also received by Swedish prime
    minister, Ingvar Carlsson. 
    
                         Received:  24-JUN-1987 05:28