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The President of the Republic started his state visit to the Republic of Finland20.11.2001
President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs. Ingrid Rüütel began their two-day state visit to the Republic of Finland today.
On the meeting with Tarja Halonen, the President of the Republic of Finland, matters related the enlargement of the European Union and to the future of Europe were discussed. The Presidents also spoke of the security policy and exchanged thoughts on the excellent relations between Estonia and Finland. Also environment issues and the need to protect the Baltic Sea were addressed.
As President Rüütel said, Estonia and Finland have very close contacts, of long traditions and a centuries-long history. "This is a unique partnership, which gains an additional dimension in Estonias accession process to the European Union. Finland has been Estonias main supporter on our way to the European Union, and we have sensed this support in several areas."
The President considered all the conditions to be favourable for maintaining and further activating the excellent relations between the two countries, as the contacts date back into history.
When opening the Estonian-Finnish business seminar, the President emphasised the need for the further enlivening of economic relations between the two countries. As President Rüütel said: "The favourable strategic position of our countries in the Baltic Sea region, the most attractive region of the Northern lands, is one of the cornerstones of our economic development. The Baltic Sea region forms an integral whole. Multilateral co-operation involving all the countries of the region is natural and necessary." According to the President, environment-friendly technology, i.e. means for environment protection, from which the immediate surroundings as well as global environment protection will gain, as well as biotechnology and gene technology, have good prospects in the near future.
Eva-Riitta Siitonen, the Mayor of the City of Helsinki, hosted a dinner in honour of President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs. Ingrid Rüütel at the Helsinki Town Hall. The President of the Republic also made an entry into the book of honour of the city of Helsinki.
This afternoon, Arnold Rüütel had a meeting with Riitta Uosukainen, the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, and other Members of Parliament. On the meeting, the President emphasised the important role of the Members of Parliament in shaping the fate of the nation. "It should be our daily care to deserve the trust, the expectations and the hopes of the people," the President emphasised.
During the first day in Helsinki, the President also paid a visit to the Helsinki City Theatre and laid a wreath to the Hietaniemi cemetery.
Later tonight, Tarja Halonen, the President of the Republic of Finland, and Mr. Pentti Arajärvi will host a festive dinner in honour of Arnold Rüütel, the President of the Republic of Estonia, and Mrs. Ingrid Rüütel.
On the visit, President Rüütel is accompanied the Minister of Economy Henrik Hololei, the Minister of Culture Signe Kivi, Academician Jüri Engelbrecht, the artist Viive Tolli, and a business delegation led by Toomas Luman, President of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The speech of the President of the Republic at the opening of the Estonian-Finnish business seminar is available on the Presidents homepage at the address www.president.ee The speech to be given at the festive dinner will be available after 9 PM.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 20, 2001
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