MADRID, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reiterated his call for European unity in defense and security during a meeting with his Finnish counterpart, Petteri Orpo, in Helsinki, according to a press release issued by the Spanish government on Wednesday.

Sanchez reaffirmed Spain's commitment to strengthening European defense and stressed the need for joint financing to tackle common security challenges. He highlighted that Spain is prepared to meet the target of allocating two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense.

He noted that European security encompasses a broad range of issues, from active conflicts to cyberattacks, energy crises, and climate-related disasters. In this context, Sanchez underscored the importance of fostering innovation and competitiveness in the defense industry.

Sanchez welcomed Ukraine's acceptance of the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in its conflict with Russia, emphasizing that the European Union is prepared to play a role in peace negotiations. "This is an existential matter for Europe," Sanchez said, adding that Spain has taken in over 230,000 Ukrainian refugees since February 2022.

The two prime ministers also discussed bilateral relations and other key issues including competitiveness and migration. Enditem

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