President Halonen to meet European presidents in Latvia

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 27 March 2007

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen will travel to Latvia on 10-11 April 2007 for an informal meeting of the presidents of eight countries. The meeting in Riga will be hosted by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia and will also be attended by President Horst Köhler of Germany, President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy, President Heinz Fischer of Austria, President Anibal Cavaco Silva of Portugal, President Lech Kaczynski of Poland, and President László Sólyom of Hungary.

The occasion will follow up the informal meetings that were held in Portugal 2003, Finland 2005 and Germany 2006.

The presidents will talk about the future of Europe, EU’s external relations as well as the interrelation between protection of environment, use of energy resources and economic development. The meeting will also include discussions with young researchers and students.

Dr Pentti Arajärvi will accompany President Halonen. A separate programme has been arranged for the presidents' spouses.