President of Russia to make state visit to Finland

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and Mrs. Putina will make a state visit to Finland on 2-3 September 2001 on the invitation of President of the Republic Tarja Halonen. The visit will begin with a meeting between the presidents at Kultaranta on 2.9. The official reception ceremonies will be held in Helsinki in the forenoon of 3.9 and the two presidents will have official talks afterwards.

President Putin will also have discussions with Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen at a working lunch, in addition to which he will meet Speaker of Parliament Riitta Uosukainen and representatives of Finnish
industry and business.

President Putin and his spouse will return home after a banquet in their honour at the Presidential Palace on 3 September 2001.