State Visit from Finland to Norway

The President of the Republic of Finland, Mr Sauli Niinistö, and his wife Mrs Jenni Haukio made a state visit to Norway from October 10th-12th, 2012.

They were welcomed at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport by Crown Prince Haakon. He accompanied them to the Royal Palace in Oslo, where they were met by King Harald, Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. After the welcoming ceremony in the Palace Square, King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted an official luncheon in the Palace.

Afterwards, the royal couple together with the presidential couple attended the traditional wreath laying ceremony at Akershus Fortress.

In the afternoon, Queen Sonja and Mrs Haukio visited the exhibition ‘Fire Grafiske Fortellinger’ (Four Graphic Stories) at the Kunstverket Gallery, while King Harald accompanied President Niinistö to a meeting with the Acting President of the Storting, Mr Per Kristian Fos. Later President Niinistö also met the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg.

In the evening, King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted a gala dinner in honour of President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio at the Royal Palace, which Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attended as well.

The second day started at the House of Literature in Oslo, where President Niinistö gave a lecture on the potential of Finnish-Norwegian relations. Afterwards, Queen Sonja and Mrs Haukio visited the House of Literature in Oslo and walked back to the Royal Palace through the Palace Park, whereas King Harald and President Niinistö attended a meeting on Finnish-Norwegian industry cooperation at the at the headquarters of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).

At about noon, the Government hosted an official luncheon at the Government Guest House, which the royal couple, the presidential couple and the crown prince couple attended. After a visit to Rommen School and Cultural Centre in the afternoon, they enjoyed a reception at the Oslo Opera House hosted by President Niinistö and his wife.

On the last day, Crown Prince Haakon accompanied the presidential couple to Tromsø, where they visited the University. After an official luncheon, hosted by the City of Tromsø, a visit to the research Vessel Helmer Hanssen in the afternoon marked the end of the state visit.

Filed under Norway
Tagged Audience, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Education, Finland, Harald V of Norway, President Niinistö of Finland, Prime Minister Stoltenberg of Norway, Queen Sonja of Norway, State Visit.