President of Estonia visited Finland

Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Bilateral relations, the eurozone situation and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region were among topics featured during the working visit to Finland of President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves on Monday, 17 October 2011. President of the Republic Tarja Halonen held official talks with President Ilves and hosted a lunch at the Presidential Palace.

The relations between Finland and Estonia are excellent and very close, President Halonen said at the press conference of the visit. “I have congratulated President Ilves on his re-election, and I have also congratulated the people of Estonia,” she said. President Ilves began his second term on 10 October 2011, only days before the visit to Finland. During his first term he made a state visit to Finland in spring 2007 as well as several working visits.

President Ilves emphasised that Finland and Estonia are both responsible members of the eurozone. According to him the two countries share not only membership but also behaviour in terms of fiscal responsibility and also solidarity with the European Union. “It is good to be able to share our concerns and thoughts with neighbours who view the issues the same way,” President Ilves said.

Estonia joined the eurozone at the beginning of the year. According to President Halonen, having the same currency serves to increase bilateral cooperation across sectors from politics to business life.

President Ilves also visited the Finnish Parliament and met Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja.

• Webcast: Joint press conference

Pictures