British Foreign Secretary David Miliband met on Wednesday with Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva in Helsinki. At a joint press conference afterwards, he stressed the two country's close alliance, noting that both work closely with the EU and Nato.
"Britain and Finland are very strong allies," said Miliband. "We're both winners from globalisation, we're both committed to global engagement, and we both believe that European values have a global place, not just a European place."
Miliband praised Finnish troops for their close cooperation with Nato forces, but declined to say whether or not Finland should join the military alliance.
He also refused to confirm or deny reports that the return of British troops from Iraq would be delayed from this spring to the end of the year.
Kanerva and Miliband also discussed EU relations with Russia, the Balkan situation and climate change.
On Tuesday evening, Miliband dined with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen at his residence at Kesäranta in Helsinki. They both issued condemnations of Monday's violence in Kosovo.