Nordic Countries Interested in Improving Ties With Russia - Finnish Lawmaker

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Nordic region is determined to enhance its relations with Russia and maintain existing cooperation, a member of the Finnish Parliament, Erkki Tuomioja, said on Monday during his meeting with chairman of the Russian upper house's Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev in Moscow.

"I am still working in the Nordic Council… I discussed relations between the Nordic countries and the Russian Federation with all the member states. As I understand, all the countries want to improve these relations and maintain these ties as well," the lawmaker said.

Tuomioja also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Nordic and Russian lawmakers.

"The cooperation between lawmakers, between parliaments is also an integral part of the cooperation. We will hold the next meeting in Helsinki a month later, it would also be attended by the [Russian lower house] State Duma’s delegation," he said.

Tuomioja added that Russia and Finland had no specific disagreements in international politics.

In 2014, the United States, the EU states — including Finland and other Nordic countries — imposed a series of economic sanctions targeting key Russian sectors, as well as a number of individuals and entities over Russia’s reunification with Crimea, and the former's alleged interference in the conflict between Kiev and independence supporters in eastern Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia announced in August 2014 a food embargo on some products originating in states that imposed sanctions against it.