Energy and European matters featured on state visit to Lithuania

Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of FinlandCopyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press Release 27/2013
14.5.2013

Energy cooperation and current European matters were on the agenda on the state visit made by President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö to Lithuania on 14–15 May.

At the start of the visit, President Niinistö talked to Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania, focusing on relations between Finland and Lithuania, with special reference to economic and energy cooperation. The discussion also covered cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, current European matters and international issues.

The talks further concerned preparations for the forthcoming Lithuanian EU Presidency, which will begin in July. Lithuania aims to join the euro in 2015.

President Niinistö also met Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister of Lithuania, and Vydas Gedvilas, Speaker of Parliament.

On Tuesday, President Niinistö also visited the European Institute for Gender Equality and the University of Vilnius.

In connection with the state visit, a high-level forum focusing on energy issues was held; its Finnish participants were Jan Vapaavuori, Minister of Economic Affairs, and representatives of energy companies.

On the second day of the state visit, the Presidents of Finland and Lithuania attended the inaugural ceremony of the Fortum combined heat and power plant in Klaipeda. This plant is the first power plant in the Baltic countries that uses community waste as its fuel.

President Niinistö also visited the Baltija Shipyard and the Curonian Spit, a sand dune peninsula on the Baltic Sea that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Pictures

State visit to Lithuania on 14–15 May 2013. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland State visit to Lithuania on 14–15 May 2013. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland State visit to Lithuania on 14–15 May 2013. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
State visit to Lithuania on 14–15 May 2013. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland State visit to Lithuania on 14–15 May 2013. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland State visit to Lithuania on 14–15 May 2013. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
State visit to Lithuania on 14–15 May 2013. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland