Vanhanen said that Nordic countries will no longer be able to exert sufficient influence if they go it alone, but pointed out that the combined economies are significant enough to make a difference.

The government ministers met yesterday in a historic session in Hämeelinna. Thirty ministers from both sides gathered for the inaugural joint meeting, which was co-chaired by Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and his Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. The participants discussed a range of issues including the impending Swedish chairmanship of the EU.