The last state visit from Finland to Norway was twelve years ago, so expectations are high. The development of the Arctic region is a central theme during the visit. Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, European Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Alexander Stubb, a delegation of business leaders and experts on the Arctic from including Lapland and Oulu University and the Barents Center are part of the president’s entourage during the visit.
The state visit begins on Wednesday 10 October at 12 with a reception ceremony in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo. After this, presidential couple is to have a lunch at the Royal Palace, and President Niinisto puts a wreath at the National Monument at Akershus Fortress.
In the afternoon, President Niinisto meets with Norway’s political leaders. In discussions with the Vice President Per Kristian Foss and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, the Finnish and Norwegian bilateral relations will be addressed.
The main issue during the talks will be the Arctic and international issues. Finland and Norway have common interests in the development of the northern regions, and Finland to strengthen both the economic and scientific cooperation in the Arctic region.
On Thursday, 11 October, President Niinisto gives a speech at an event organized by the Norwegian Foreign Policy Institute (NUPI) at the Literature House and participates in a seminar on Finnish and Norwegian economic relations.
On the third day of the state visit, the president will visit Tromsø in northern Norway, where the program specifically focuses on research in the Arctic and Arctic cooperation. The program includes a discussion at the University of Tromso and a cruise on the research vessel FF Helmer Hansen. Crown Prince Haakon will be participating in the visit to Tromso.
A Continuing Challenge of Fake And Substandard Medicaments
