President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, accompanied by his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb, pay a state visit to Norway from 15 to 17 October 2024. The aim of the visit is to strengthen bilateral economic relations and to promote cooperation in security and defence policy and infrastructure development.
The state visit began in Oslo on Tuesday 15 October at the Royal Palace Square, where King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway as well as Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit received President Stubb and Mrs Innes-Stubb.
After the official welcoming ceremony, the presidential couple laid a wreath at the National Monument at the Akershus Fortress. Later in the day, the President visited the Norwegian Parliament, the Storting, where he spoke with Masud Gharahkhani, President of the Storting, and members of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.
The day concluded with a Gala Dinner hosted by the King and the Queen at the Royal Palace.
Meeting with the Prime Minister on Wednesday
On the morning of Wednesday 16 October, the programme continued at BI Norwegian Business School, where the President participated in a debate on the foreign and security policy environment.
President Stubb then held bilateral talks with Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway, at the Prime Minister’s official residence. At the end of the discussions, the President and the Prime Minister held a joint press conference.
The presidential couple attended a luncheon hosted by the Norwegian Government, followed by a business seminar at which the President delivered a speech. The seminar was organised by the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK).
The visit to Oslo ended with a reception hosted by President Stubb and his spouse at the Nobel Peace Centre.
Visit to Bergen on Thursday
On Thursday 17 October, the programme continued in Bergen together with Crown Prince Haakon.
The day began at the Haakonsvern Naval Base, where cooperation in defence and the defence industries were on the agenda. After that, the President visited the Port of Bergen, where he was introduced to companies involved in the maritime industry and the green transition.
To conclude the visit, the presidential couple attended a luncheon hosted by Marit Warncke, Mayor of Bergen.
President Stubb was accompanied on the state visit by Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne and Mayor of the City of Turku Minna Arve.
During the visit, Mrs Suzanne Innes-Stubb had a separate programme in addition to the joint programme of the presidential couple.
The last state visit to Norway by the former President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, was in 2012. The most recent visit to Finland by the Norwegian royal couple was in 2016.
