President Halonen to meet European presidents in Graz

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 29 April 2008

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen will travel to Graz in Austria on 29-30 April 2008 for an informal meeting of the presidents of eight countries. The meeting will be hosted by President Heinz Fischer of Austria and will be also attended by President Horst Köhler of Germany, President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy, President Anibal Cavaco Silva of Portugal, President Lech Kaczynski of Poland, President László Sólyom of Hungary and President Valdis Zatlers of Latvia.

The occasion will follow up the informal meetings that were held in Portugal 2003, Finland 2005, Germany 2006 and Latvia 2007.

President Halonen will give the introductory remarks on the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. The other opening address will be given by IAEA Director General Mohamed El-Baradei. The presidents will also discuss, among other things, the future of Europe in the light of the EU’s new Lisbon Treaty. In addition, President Halonen's programme will include bilateral meetings, including with German President Köhler, Austrian President Fischer and Hungarian President Sólyom.

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