HELSINKI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin met her Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg on Wednesday via video link to discuss issues including defense cooperation and the actions against COVID-19, according to the Finnish PM Office.

The two prime ministers confirmed in the talks the intention of increasing defense and security policy cooperation between Finland and Norway, a press release by the Finnish PM Office noted.

Increased military cooperation with Norway is one of the goals in the government program of the current Finnish coalition government.

Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen told media last month that Finland is working on ways of increasing defence cooperation with Norway.

Norway is a member of NATO, while Finland is one of the NATO "Enhanced Opportunity Partners".

Wednesday's talks between Marin and Solberg also covered the actions of the two countries facing the COVID-19 crisis, supply safety issues and the opening of borders, according to the press release.

Finland and Norway have a shared land border in the far north. Travel between the two countries was opened in early June.

Finland will hold the presidency of the five-nation Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021. During its presidency, Finland will promote green growth, digitalization and democracy as council themes, the release said.

Marin also congratulated Norway for its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term in 2021-2022. Enditem

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