Finnish PM leaves EU leaders’ summit to self-isolate

By Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Friday left the EU leaders’ summit after learning a lawmaker she met earlier tested positive for COVID-19.

“Prime Minister Sanna Marin has left the European Council meeting as a precaution. PM Marin has asked Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven to represent Finland for the rest of the meeting,” Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU said on Twitter.

Marin will return to Finland immediately and will be tested for COVID-19. She will then self-isolate at Kesaranta, the official residence of prime minister located in Helsinki, according to a statement by her office.

EU leaders gathered in Brussels on Thursday for two days of discussions on a post-Brexit trade agreement, the coronavirus pandemic, ways to tackle climate change, sanctions on Russia and future relations with Africa.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen left the EU leaders’ summit Thursday after one of her team members tested positive for the coronavirus.