Energy issues were discussed on the state visit of the President of Lithuania

Energy issues were main topics on the state visit of President Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and his wife to Finland on 22-24 April 2009. Reception ceremonies and official talks with President of the Republic Tarja Halonen took place at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 23 April. At the joint press conference after the discussions, President Halonen told that Nordic energy network and energy issues were discussed. The Presidents also talked about NordStream gas pipeline and the environmental issues concerning the project. The joint press conference of the visit is also available as a video recording on the Internet.

“Scandinavian energy network should be connected to the Baltic countries, going out to Poland, going out to Europe. This is definitely not going to happen in the next two three years. Maybe it will take longer. Bringing that kind of energy network is going to secure and strengthen “, President Adamkus said.

According to President Halonen the year 2009 will be visible and remarkable for Lithuania. Vilnius is the Cultural Capital of Europe this year and Lithuania will assume the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in July. Lithuania has had a stron start in the European Union, President Halonen noted.

EU membership has strengthened our countries' European identity

In her speech at the banquet for the state visit, President Halonen said that membership of the European Union has strengthened our countries' European identity. “Shared values concerning democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality are the foundation of social development both in Finland and Lithuania”.

“Also Russia and the EU are dependent on each other in many ways. We hope that the relations between the EU and Russia will develop on the basis of shared European values and interests. Developing the EU's Eastern Partnership is now important, and Lithuania has valuable expertise in this”, President Halonen said.

President Adamkus also met with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, visited Parliament and took part in a discussion on the Baltic Sea at the House of the Estates. On Friday, 24 April President Adamkus visited the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant construction site and the city of Turku.

Presidents with their spouses in the Yellow Room. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland