The Meetings Of The President Of Finland In The National Assembly

THE MEETINGS OF THE PRESIDENT OF FINLAND IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Sept 28 2005

On September 27 RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan had a private talk
with Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland being on an
official visit in Armenia.

The problems of Armenian-Finnish relations were discussed in the
private talk. Both sides highlighted the political, economic and
scientific-cultural relations between two countries and the development
of inter-parliamentary relations was especially highlighted. It was
noted that a friendship group with the Parliament of Finland was
established in the Parliament of Armenia. At Mrs.

Halonen’s request, NA Speaker presented the democratic reforms taking
place, and the use of the Finnish experience was highlighted.

The delegation headed by Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic
of Finland met in the National Assembly with NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasaryan, NA Vice Speaker Tigran Torosyan, chairmen of the standing
committees, heads of groups-factions. At the meeting Justice Minister
Davit Harutiunyan and the ambassadors of two countries were present.

Welcoming the guests, NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan expressed
conviction that the visit will be an impetus in the development
of the Armenian-Finnish relations. NA Speaker highlighted the
development of the inter-parliamentary relations, the cooperation in
international structures and the experience exchange in the sphere
of legislation. Adopting the policy of Euro-Integration, Armenia pays
great importance to the study of the Finnish experience. It was noted
that in the National Assembly a parliamentary friendship group with
the Parliament of Finland functions. The cooperation was considered
necessary in the spheres of culture, science and education. Highly
estimating the activity of the Armenological center set up in Finland,
the Parliament Speaker expressed readiness to promote the center in
getting new literature. NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan invited his
Finnish colleagues to Armenia.

Expressing gratitude, Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, underscored
that the existing parliamentary friendship group political relations
created good bases for the further cooperation and highlighted not
only the bilateral, but also the deepening of the inter-parliamentary
relations, noting that a parliamentary friendship group with South
Caucasus was set up in the parliament of Finland.

Mrs. Halonen invited the Armenian parliamentarians to participate in
2006 at the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Parliament
of Finland, which will be also useful for the development of the
inter-parliamentary relations and experience exchange. The President
of Finland expressed a hope that the Constitutional amendments in
Armenia will go on in the atmosphere of consent.

At the end Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland made
notes in the book of honorable guests.