President of the Czech Republic on state visit to Finland

Mr Václav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic, and Mrs Livia Klausová arrived at a state visit to Finland on 1 June 2005. The official reception ceremonies and the talks between the Presidents of the Czech Republic and Finland were held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday 2 June. The Presidents discussed current issues concerning EU and relations between Finland and Czech.

Finland’s and Czech’s presidential couples.

President Klaus also met Mr Paavo Lipponen, Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, at Parliament House, laid a wreath on the heroes’ graves in Hietaniemi Cemetery, delivered a speech to the Paasikivi Society and, with Finnish President Tarja Halonen, attended the official opening of the Kamppi bus terminal and shopping centre.

On Friday 3 June President Klaus visited Turku for a programme that included Turku University and Cathedral.

President Halonen's speech at a state banquet