President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio paid an official visit to Germany on 15–16 November 2023. The visit was hosted by President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse Elke Büdenbender.
President Niinistö and Federal President Steinmeier held formal discussions at the Federal President’s official residence Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn on Wednesday 15 November. In addition to bilateral relations between Finland and Germany, the discussions covered the situation in the Middle East, support for Ukraine, deepening global divisions and current security issues, including migration.
At a joint press conference, President Niinistö said that for Finns, economic cooperation has been an important part of the good relations between Finland and Germany. “The growth of our society and the development of the Finnish community into a welfare state has very much depended on the fact that one of our biggest trading partners throughout the ages has been Germany. And in this respect I also see a future.”
President Niinistö also raised the question of migration, noting that it is once again a topical issue in Finland. “There is a need for unity and consensus on migration issues at a European level. Of course, national measures matter, but in the end, the European Union’s borders are its external borders. And we must be able to secure them”, he said.
“The difficulty we are facing here is actually a very deep-rooted problem. We have to balance the security, resilience and endurance of the nation on the one hand, and human rights on the other.” The President said that there has not yet been enough open debate on the balance between these different interests. “It is a sensitive issue, but Europe is now facing the challenge of solving this equation.”
As regards the situation in Gaza, the President said that Israel has the right to self-defence, but that there is also a proportionality aspect to self-defence. “I believe that everyone is deeply concerned about the fate of civilians in Gaza today. It would be of utmost importance that all parties involved are prepared to allow the free departure of civilians, including hostages, and to allow humanitarian aid to arrive. This, of course, requires some sort of collective pause in the military action, whether it is called a cease-fire or a pause for humanitarian reasons.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the Presidents also discussed security issues with foreign and security policy experts and academics. The day also included a visit to the Old Town of Bonn and a dinner hosted by the German Federal President and his spouse.
On Thursday 16 November, President Niinistö and Federal President Steinmeier visited the Federal Ministry of Defence, where they were introduced to modern defence technologies. After that, the presidential couples visited the Old Town of Unkel.
In addition to the joint programme, Jenni Haukio and Elke Büdenbender visited the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and a local UNICEF Child Rights School, where they attended a meeting of the Children’s Parliament and met schoolchildren.
President Niinistö previously visited Germany in February 2023 to participate in the Munich Security Conference. Federal President Steinmeier last visited Finland in 2017.
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President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse Elke Büdenbender received President Sauli Niinistö and Dr Jenni Haukio on an official visit to Germany in Bonn on 15 November 2023. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland.
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The Presidents met at the Federal President’s official residence Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö inspects the Guard of Honour accompanied by Federal President Steinmeier. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Mrs Elke Büdenbender och Dr Jenni Haukio. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Discussions during the visit focused on European security and the pressures on the multilateral rules-based system. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Official photograph of the Presidents and their spouses. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Signing the guestbook. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Tête-à-tête discussions between President Sauli Niinistö and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The Presidents held a joint press conference after the discussions. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The Presidents shaking hands after the joint press conference. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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In the Old City of Bonn President Niinistö signed the Golden Book of the Old Town Hall. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Waves from the steps of the Old Town Hall in Bonn. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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In the old town of Bonn the presidential couple met children from the Finnish School. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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In the old town of Bonn the presidential couple met children from the Finnish School. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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A walk in the old town of Bonn. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Jenni Haukio visited together with Elke Büdenbender the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Photo: Bundesregierung/Ute Grabowsky
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Jenni Haukio visited together with Elke Büdenbender the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Photo: Bundesregierung/Ute Grabowsky
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Jenni Haukio visited together with Elke Büdenbender the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Photo: Bundesregierung/Ute Grabowsky
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On Thursday 16 November, President Niinistö and Federal President Steinmeier visited the Federal Ministry of Defence, where they were introduced to modern defence technologies. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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On Thursday 16 November, President Niinistö and Federal President Steinmeier visited the Federal Ministry of Defence, where they were introduced to modern defence technologies. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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On Thursday 16 November, President Niinistö and Federal President Steinmeier visited the Federal Ministry of Defence, where they were introduced to modern defence technologies. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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On Thursday 16 November, President Niinistö and Federal President Steinmeier visited the Federal Ministry of Defence, where they were introduced to modern defence technologies. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Jenni Haukio visited together with Elke Büdenbender a local UNICEF Child Rights School. Photo: Bundesregierung/Ute Grabowsky
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On Thursday 16 November, Jenni Haukio visited together with Elke Büdenbender a local UNICEF Child Rights School. Photo: Bundesregierung/Ute Grabowsky
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Group photo with Jenni Haukio, Elke Büdenbender and pupils in a local UNICEF primary school on 16 November 2023. Photo: Bundesregierung/Ute Grabowsky
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At the end of the visit, the Presidents and their spouses took a walking tour of the old town of Unkel. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Residents of the town of Unkel welcomed the two Presidents on their visit. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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At the end of the visit, the Presidents and their spouses took a walking tour of the old town of Unkel. Photo: Riikka Hietajärvi/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and President Sauli Niinistö visited the Willy Brandt Forum in Unkel.
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The Presidents and their spouses on the top of the Drachenfels Hill. Photo: Bundesregierung/Denzel