President Pahor receives Finnish Parliament Speaker
Ljubljana, 6. 6. 2017 | press release
The Slovenian president Borut Pahor today received Maria Lohela, Parliament Speaker of the Republic of Finland, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Slovenia.
The Slovenian president and Speaker of the Parliament of Finland began by discussing relations between the two countries, which they agreed were good and cordial. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, both of whom are keen to engage in high level bilateral meetings, to intensify and broaden their relations and, above all, to increase direct foreign investment. Slovenia is in fact Finland’s third most important foreign trade partner besides Nordic countries.
The two leaders discussed the current political climate and agreed that the countries shared similar positions on specific issues, which they represented within the EU as well as in the wider international context. Both want to further develop economic cooperation as well as other forms of collaboration, not least in the areas of science and education. The two leaders also exchanged views on important current issues, such as EU-Russia relations, the political and security situation in Ukraine, and certain other major international issues.
Mr Pahor and Ms Lohela agreed that the alliance between Slovenia and Finland needed to be strengthened further, and that joint efforts should be made to stabilise the European Union and further strengthen the Euro-Atlantic integration processes in the Western Balkans. To conclude, President Pahor congratulated Ms Lohela on the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence, which is being celebrated this year.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA