Helsinki, March 31 (IANS): German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said that the European Union's (EU) security policy must be "developed together with Russia, not against it".

Speaking after talks with Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb here, Merkel stressed the importance of communicating with Russia on European security policy issues, according to a Xinhua report.

Merkel noted that the EU was able to appear united and resolute through the Ukraine conflict.

The Chancellor said that Germany had been willing to show solidarity to other countries during economic crises, but at the same time, demanded that those receiving assistance must show initiatives in solving their problems.

Merkel's Christian Democratic Party (CDU) is a sister party of the Finnish Conservative party. Her visit to Finland is seen by some as a gesture to lend a helping hand to the Finnish Conservatives in the election campaign. Finnish parliamentary elections will take place in April.