US Vice President visited Finland

Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

The relations between Finland and the United States are excellent, said President of the Republic Tarja Halonen and Vice President of the United States Joseph R. Biden at the Presidential Palace on 8 March 2011. “The United States is an important partner for us. Old friends have strong ties, and we could also be looking for new ways to cooperate,” said President Halonen in the Hall of Mirrors at the Presidential Palace.

Vice President Biden visited Finland on 7–8 March. During his visit he also met Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi and Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Sauli Niinistö.

In addition to bilateral relations the talks between the delegations at the Presidential Palace focused especially on the situation in northern Africa and Libya, the ISAF operation in Afghanistan, and Russia.

“Finland and the United States have worked side by side in many crisis management operations. Finland is not a member of NATO, but an active Partnership for Peace country, such as Sweden, Austria and Ireland,” President Halonen said. The President also said that she is pleased with the fact that President Barack Obama and his administration are putting emphasis on the work of the United Nations and other multilateral organisations.

Vice President Biden also stressed the importance of cooperation in tackling global challenges. “No one nation has the capacity to change the course of history for the better. Some have the capacity to change it for the worse, but no one nation has the capacity to change it for the better.”

On women and pioneers

“Vice President Biden has chosen a very good day to visit Finland, because today marks the 100th anniversary of the International Women’s Day,” President Halonen said. The Vice President also found the day most fitting: “Finland has been a pioneering leader in the world when it comes to women having the right to their equal place in society.” Vice President Biden recalled his activeness, dating back to his career as a senator, in the development of legislation promoting women’s rights.

Vice President Biden said he appreciates Finland’s contribution in developing new technology, combating climate change, and the search for resources in the arctic region. The Vice President would particularly have liked to spend more time on discussing the Finnish public education system, as education is “of the highest priority to President Obama and me”.

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