President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse Mrs Elke Büdenbender made a state visit to Finland on 17 to 19 September 2018. The visit was hosted by the President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö together with Mrs Jenni Haukio.
President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio received the guests at an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace on Monday 17 September.
After the welcoming ceremony, President Niinistö and President Steinmeier held their official discussions. Topics included bilateral relations between Finland and Germany, security in Europe and other topical international issues such as relations with Russia and the United States and the future of democracy.
After the official discussions, the programme continued with a lunch hosted by the City of Helsinki. On Monday, President Steinmeier also met the Speaker of the Parliament Paula Risikko and visit the icebreaker Polaris. The day concluded with a gala dinner hosted by President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio at the Presidential Palace.
On Tuesday 18 September, President Steinmeier met Prime Minister Juha Sipilä at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, Kesäranta. He also laid a wreath at the Hietaniemi cemetery and visited Me & MyCity in Espoo and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. In the evening, President Steinmeier and Mrs Büdenbender wll hosted a reception at the German Embassy in Finland.
On Wednesday 19 September, President Steinmeier and Mrs Büdenbender traveled to Oulu, where they will visit for example University of Oulu.
President Niinistö and President Steinmeier last met on 11 May 2017 when President Niinistö visited Germany. A previous presidential visit from Germany to Finland took place in 2013, when President Niinistö hosted an official visit by President Joachim Gauck.