HELSINKI: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Republic of Finland HE Alexander Stubb held an official session of talks at the Presidential Palace in the Finnish capital, Helsinki.
At the beginning of the session, the Finnish president welcomed His Highness the Amir and the accompanying delegation, and His Highness's first official visit to the Republic of Finland, which reflects the depth of relations between the two countries, especially since this year marks 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. He said he is looking forward to working with His Highness to enhance mutual cooperation and push relations to broader levels.
For his part, His Highness the Amir expressed his deep thanks tothe Finnish president for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, noting the distinguished relations between the two countries, and said he is looking forward to the visit contributing to strengthening bilateral relations in various fields, to the benefit of the two countries and their friendly peoples.
During the session, the two sides discussed aspects of cooperation and ways to enhance and develop them, especially in the areas of investment, economy, energy, education and international cooperation, in addition to discussing the most prominent regional and international issues of common interest, especially developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The session was attended by Chief of the Amiri Diwan HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Minister of State for Energy Affairs HE Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of Commerce and IndustryHE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Minister of Education and Higher EducationHE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign AffairsHE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, and senior officials and members of the official delegation accompanying His Highness the Amir.
From the Finnish side, it was attended by Minister of Foreign Trade and Development HE Veli Taviu,Head of the Office of the President of the RepublicLauri Tierala,Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Security PolicyOuti Holopainen, and several senior officials.
His Highness the Amir and the Finnish president held a bilateral meeting during which they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two friendly countries and several issues of mutual interest.
TheFinnish president also hosted an official dinner in honour of His Highness and the accompanying delegation at the Presidential Palace.
His Highness the Amir was accorded an official reception ceremony upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace earlier.