President Halonen emphasized the importance of international cooperation during her visit to Qatar

“There can be no security without development, and neither can be achieved without respect for human rights and the rule of law”, said President of the Republic Tarja Halonen in Qatar on Monday 23 February 2007. President Halonen made an official visit to Qatar and she gave a key note speech at 7th Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade. In her speech, President Halonen emphasized the strength of multilateral cooperation facing the new challenges and opportunities of the process of globalisation. “In some ways, the results of European integration are so impressive that we have come to take them for granted -- The EU is based on shared values, on genuine cooperation and solidarity, and on the desire to build a better future together”, President Halonen said. “Alone, there isn't much we can do. Together, there isn't much we cannot.”

President Halonen met the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in Doha. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

On Monday, President Halonen also met the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, and visited the Education City.

Qatar plays a visible role in building peace in the Middle East

On Sunday 22 April, President Halonen met the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The topics for discussion included the situation in the Middle East. Both the President and the Emir expressed their concern regarding the situation, but were cautiously hopeful on finding a peaceful solution. Qatar has taken a visible role in building peace in the Middle East.

The Emir was well-informed about the parliamentary elections in Finland and interested in the composition of the Finnish Government. The female majority in the Government has raised significant interest in a country where women’s visible role in political life is still rare.

Earlier on Sunday, President Halonen met Sheikha Mouza bint Nasser Al-Misnad. The Sheikha has on active and important role in developing education in Qatar. She expressed great interest toward Finnish education and gender equality.

Economic Synergies between Finland and Qatar

President Halonen’s party included Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen and a business delegation.

On Sunday evening, a seminar on Finnish-Qatar economic relations was arranged, where President Halonen gave an opening speech. According to her, relations between Finland and Qatar are good and there exist marked complementarities in Finnish and Qatar economies. ” Qatar is quickly building up infrastructure and industrial base while Finnish companies have highly advanced technology, machinery and services especially in these fields. At the same time, Qatar is the main producer of natural gas and has vast financial resources”, President Halonen noted.

According to President Halonen, potential for increasing trade and investment can be found in many sectors, for example in the areas of infrastructure and logistics, energy and metallurgy, healthcare and well-being as well as other knowledge intensive services.

President Halonen and Dr Arajärvi returned to Finland on Tuesday, 24 April.

Keynote address by President Halonen at the 7th Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade

President Halonen meets UN Secretary-General in Qatar

Keynote address by President Halonen at the Finnish-Qatar Business Seminar