Office of the President of the Republic
Press Release 16 May 2012
President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö will attend NATO meetings in Chicago on 20–21 May 2012. President Niinistö will head Finland’s delegation at a summit meeting on Afghanistan, to be held in connection with the NATO Summit, and at a separate meeting on NATO partnerships. The Finnish delegation will also include Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja and Minister of Defence Stefan Wallin.
The meeting on Afghanistan will focus on the funding of the Afghan National Security Forces and on the mission in Afghanistan beyond the ISAF operation. Finland will continue to support Afghanistan in accordance with the policies outlined in the Government report on Afghanistan. Finland is favourable towards the post-ISAF mission and will review her possible participation at a later stage. The partnership meeting will focus on the cooperation between NATO and its partners.
From Chicago, President Niinistö will travel to Stockholm for the christening of Princess Estelle. In addition to the christening at the Royal Chapel the festivities will include a reception and lunch at the Royal Palace. The spouse of the President of the Republic Jenni Haukio will also take part in the festivities in Stockholm.