President Halonen meets Australian Prime Minister

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen and Australian Prime Minister John Howard met on Wednesday, 14 February. On the agenda at the meeting were nuclear energy and climate change. President Halonen and Prime Minister Howard also spoke about the EU Presidency, which Finland held last year. On the second day of the State Visit, President Halonen also met opposition leader Kevin Rudd and Governor General Michael Jeffery. On Thursday, 15 February, President Halonen gave a lecture at the Europe Centre at the Australian National University in Canberra and continued to Sydney, where she will hold a speech at the Finland-Australia Innovation Dialogue. During the weekend, President Halonen will be introduced to Australia’s Aboriginal culture in Uluru.

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the Europe Centre at the Australian National University in Canberra. Copyright © The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Accompanying President Halonen will be a delegation of Finnish innovation experts led by Professor Raimo Väyrynen, President of the Academy of Finland. Round table discussions on innovation will be held in both countries, and the aim is also to pass on experiences of each country’s science and technology policy and to forge contacts with a view to future cooperation.

On Saturday, President Halonen will continue to New Zealand to visit Auckland and Wellington. She will hold talks with Prime Minister Helen Clark and meet Governor General Anand Satyanand and other national leaders.

Prime Minister John Howard and President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the press conference. Copyright © The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland