Finnish President to be first guest to VN

VNGOP – At the invitation of State President Nguyễn Minh Triết, President Tajia Halonen of the Republic of Finland and her spouse will pay an official visit to Việt Nam on February 21-23.

February 18, 2008 7:23 AM GMT+7

President Tajia Halonen will become the first head of state to visit Việt Nam in 2008.

A big ODA donor to Việt Nam, Finland pledges to grant US $31.7 million this year, focusing on poverty reduction, sustainable development, water supply, and afforestation.

During her upcoming visit, President Tajia Halonen will have talks with her counterpart Nguyễn Minh Triết and meetings with PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and National Assembly Chairman Nguyễn Phú Trọng. She will also pay a courtesy visit to Communist Party of Việt Nam General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh.

President Tajia Halonen will be accompanied by a delegation of 20 leading Finn businesses operating in information technology, telecommunications, shipbuilding, elevator manufacturing, aviation, pharmacy and medical equipment, pulp and paper making, environment, energy, mining and metallurgy, and banking.

It is expected that the two sides will ink some important documents, including an agreement on investment protection and promotion, a memorandum of understanding on scientific and technical cooperation, and a MoU on aviation.

By Hoàng Uyên