Palestinian President on visit to Finland

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen held talks with President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, 27 April 2006. They discussed the Middle East peace process and other issues. President Halonen stated that Finland and the EU support the peace process. President Abbas said that the Palestinians' economic situation is very poor at the moment and he appealed to the European Union to provide more aid. The EU suspended aid payments to the Palestinians after the militant group Hamas won parliamentary elections and formed a government.

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen and President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas. Photo: Lehtikuva

During the visit President Abbas also met Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja and Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Liisa Jaakonsaari.