Finland is hopeful a trade deal between the European Union and Australia can be finalised next year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Sanna Marin, the first Finnish prime minister to visit Australia, met with Anthony Albanese in Sydney on Friday for talks on global security and trade.
Ms Marin said it was important in challenging times to have a trusted partner such as Australia.
"We are now finalising, hopefully next year, the EU-Australia free trade agreement that would only boost both of our economies and make our economies flourish in the future," she said.
"We have also lots of tasks to be done when it comes to digitalisation (and) making our economies more green."
Mr Albanese said cooperation on global supply chains was an area in which the two countries could work.
"And Australia has always looked, as well, to Scandinavian countries, particularly my party, for the advanced position that you have had on gender equality, in dealing with reconciliation with First Nations people," he said.
"And that is very much part of my government's agenda as well."
The two leaders gave the green light to work on a bilateral cyber and technology policy exchange involving the public and private sectors, covering such areas as wireless technologies and artificial intelligence.
Australian Associated Press
