Finland, Slovenia agree on environmental protection despite U.S. exit from Paris deal

LJUBLJANA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Finnish and Slovenian parliament speakers on Monday vowed to enhance their own efforts to protect the environment after U.S. decision to withdraw the climate Paris Agreement.

According to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), visiting Finnish speaker Marie Lohela and her Slovenian counterpart Milan Brglez shared ideas that the U.S. decision also meant countries like Slovenia and Finland would have to rely on themselves.

Alliances must also be built on economic growth, science and innovation, according to STA.

They also stressed strengthening of the EU bloc, saying that European people should not be left behind as Brussels tackles major challenges, such as economic crisis, migration and Brexit.