President Halonen meets UN Secretary-General in Qatar

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 23 April 2007

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Qatar. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Qatar in connection with her official visit on Monday, 23 April.

President Halonen congratulated the Secretary-General, who took office at the beginning of the year, for his good start. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in turn thanked Finland for its support during the appointment process and at the start of his term and hoped that fruitful cooperation would continue.

The main subject of discussion was the situation in the Middle East. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told about his contacts with Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and other countries. The high-level international conference on Iraq that will be held at the beginning of May in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, was also discussed. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hoped Finland would support the process.

President Halonen and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon both attended the 7th Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade in Qatar.

President Halonen will return to Finland on Tuesday, 24 April.