Riga, 15 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The prime ministers of Finland and Estonia held their first meeting in a sauna, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said at a press conference with his Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal on Wednesday.

Orpo praised the excellent relations between the Baltic nations that are closely related culturally and linguistically.

"We started ... yesterday in very Finnish and Estonian way - in the sauna," Orpo said. "Today our bilateral relations are excellent and Estonia is one of our closest allies."

Michal thanked Orpo for the "very warm welcome" during his first foreign visit since taking office nearly three weeks ago.

"Two prime ministers discussing politics and world affairs in the sauna shows well how close we are – both culturally and politically."