LOC01:46
22:46 GMT
WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump reiterated Monday that "we must all work together to deny terrorists safe havens, cut off their finances and defeat their very wicked ideology."
Speaking at a joint press conference with the President of Finland Sauli Niinisto, Trump said that the US stands "in solidarity" with the people of Finland who have recently suffered a terrorist attack in the city of Turku where a man stabbed eight people, killing two of them.
He thanked Finland for their "support as an ally in the fight against terrorism," saying: "We appreciate it including your membership in the coalition to defeat (IS)."
He added that in Afghanistan, Finland "provides troops and financial contributions to support the Afghan national defense and security forces on a modern-day frontier between barbarism and civilization."
"That's what you have. It's barbarism versus civilization," he remarked.
On the economic front, Trump stressed: "We seek fair and reciprocal trade to benefit both of our countries. I applaud Finnish companies for their commitment to increase investment in the United States, adding new technologies and adding good jobs for hardworking Americans."
For his part, the Finnish President said "we discussed the importance of the transatlantic bond between the European Union and the United States."
He stressed that the US and and NATO presence in Europe and in the Baltic Sea "are most important, and they are increasing rapidly."
"Finland is doing its part. We promote dialogue. To reduce risks, Finland has proposed steps to improve flight safety in the Baltic Sea area.
"They are small but positive steps in reopening dialogue between NATO and Russia," he added.
"We remain committed to supporting Afghanistan, and we are a dedicated member of the global coalition against (IS)," Niinisto affirmed.
This is the first one-on-one meeting between a Finnish president and a US president in 15 years, where the two leaders, according to reports, discussed a wide range of issues, including Russia, terrorism and Afghanistan. (end)
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