President Halonen visiting Croatia

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen met with President Stjepan Mesi of Croatia on Wednesday, 2 September 2009. President Halonen and Dr Pentti Arajärvi travelled to Croatia for an official visit on 1-3 September. This was the first visit by Finland's head of state to that country. During their talks President Halonen and President Mesić focused on Croatia's membership negotiations with the EU, regional cooperation, developing good governance and fighting corruption. President Halonen said that Finland supports Croatia's accession to the EU and that Croatia has made good progress in preparing to join the Union. In her opinion it is important for Croatia to carry out the reforms that are required for membership, which are in its own best interests. Finland can also offer help in developing good governance, she noted.

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen and President Stjepan Mesić of Croatia in Zagreb. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic

At a press conference President Stjepan Mesić said he was very pleased with the visit. He noted that relations between Finland and Croatia are good, though economic relations are far from reaching their potential. According to President Mesić, Croatians are highly interested in Finnish education, art and research as well as the Finnish social model.

President Halonen also met with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor. In addition to Croatia's accession to the EU, they discussed human rights together with issues involving minorities and particularly the Roma. President Halonen then visited the Croatian Parliament and met with Speaker Luka Bebić.

Nordic and Baltic Sea cooperation an example

In the afternoon President Halonen gave a speech at a public occasion to which high-ranking political figures, diplomats and representatives of NGOs were invited. "In Finland, we have a long tradition of Nordic cooperation, which covers governments, parliaments and civil society," President Halonen said at the occasion, which was opened by Gordan Jandroković, Croatia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. "Finland also participates in cooperation among all the states in the Baltic Sea region. One goal of this cooperation is to improve environmental protection of the Baltic Sea. I believe that the Nordic and the Baltic Sea experience could also serve as an example in southeastern Europe."

On Thursday 3 September, President Halonen met with Croatian NGOs. The morning meeting was attended by representatives from organisations focusing on human rights, minority, gender and anti-corruption issues.

The delegation accompanying the President of the Republic included Minister of the Interior Anne Holmlund.

Speech at a public occasion in Zagreb

Speech at a state dinner hosted by President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić