President of Estonia on state visit in Finland

President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves was on a state visit to Finland together with his spouse Mrs. Evelin Ilves on 14 – 16 March 2007. President Ilves and his delegation arrived on board the Estonian Navy Ship Admiral Pitka at the South Harbour in Helsinki, after which the official reception ceremonies and discussions with President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen took place at the Presidential Palace. Among the topics for discussion in the talks between the two Presidents were bilateral Finnish-Estonian affairs. The relations between Finland and Estonia are close and the two countries are important trading partners to each other. Also the issues of energy availability, protection of the Baltic Sea and the EU Rapid Reaction Forces were discussed. The two Presidents noted that the co-operation in EU affairs between Finland and Estonia is excellent. Finland particularly values Estonia’s support and interest in the Northern Dimension.

President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen. Copyright © The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President Ilves also met Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and representatives of the City of Helsinki and visited the Finnish Parliament. In addition, the state visit programme included a wreath-laying ceremony on the heroes’ graves in Hietaniemi Cemetery, and a lecture at the University of Helsinki. On the second day of the state visit, President Ilves with delegation made a trip to Oulu.

The delegation included Mr. Rein Lang, Minister of Justice, Mr. Jürgen Ligi, Minister of Defense, and Major-General Ants Laaneots, Commander of the Defense Forces, among others. President Ilves was also accompanied by Estonian Business Delegation, and a Finnish-Estonian Business Forum was arranged during the visit.