President Halonen visiting Southeast Asia

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 18 February 2008

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen has started a two-day state visit to Indonesia. This is her first stop on a tour of Southeast Asia. President Halonen will continue to Singapore on 20 February and Vietnam on 21-23 February.

President Halonen began her visit to Indonesia by meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. They discussed issues regarding climate change, cooperation in the field of environmental technology and sustainable forestry, among other things. A Joint Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainable Forest Management was signed after the talks. "Forests connect us," President Halonen noted at a joint press conference. Opportunities for economic cooperation between Finland and Indonesia were also discussed during the meeting. International issues included the situation in Kosovo now that it has declared independence. Indonesia has a seat on the UN Security Council.

On Tuesday, 19 February President Halonen will visit Aceh to learn more about the peace process and post-tsunami reconstruction and to meet representatives of women's organizations. The purpose of the Aceh visit is to show that Finland remains committed to the region's development and to draw attention to the frail situation in Aceh and the need for aid.

From Indonesia President Halonen will travel to Singapore, where she will meet with the nation's leaders as well as Finns working in the area. Finland and Singapore are both small, advanced information societies, and the goal is to deepen cooperation particularly in science and technology.

In Vietnam the programme during the state visit will include meetings with political leaders, a business seminar, a panel on women's position and equality, and a trip to the Haiphong area, where President Halonen will learn more about development cooperation projects that have received Finnish funds. Vietnam is one of Finland's long-term development cooperation partners, and the goal is to broaden cooperation between the two countries by increasing trade and investment activities. During the visit an investment protection agreement as well as cooperation agreements in a number of sectors will be signed.

President Halonen will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen and a high-level business delegation led by Mr Antti Herlin, the Chairman of the Board of the Confederation of Finnish Industries.

After her state visit President Halonen and Dr Arajärvi will remain in Vietnam for a short holiday. They will return to Finland on 29 February.