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President Mori received Ambassador Heikki Hannikainen and Mr. Pasi Patokallio of Finland

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): February 29, 2012 - On Tuesday, Friday 17, 2012, President Many Mori received Ambassador Heikki Hannikainen, Finland's Ambassador to the FSM and Mr. Pasi Patokallio, Finland's Ambassador for UN Security Council matters. Ambassador Hannikainen and Mr. Patokallio visited the Federated States of Micronesia as part of their tour to the North Pacific Region, arriving in Pohnpei on February 16, 2012.

The FSM and Finland established diplomatic relation on May 4, 2010. In April 2011, H.E. Heikki Hannikainen presented his Letter of Credence to President Mori, accrediting him as the first Ambassador of Finland to the Federated States of Micronesia.

During the Courtesy Call, President Mori welcomed both Ambassador Hannikainen and Mr. Patokallio to the FSM and expressed appreciation for the visit.

Ambassador Hannikainen thanked the President for receiving them and conveyed best wishes from Her Excellency Tarja Halonen, President of Finland. Mr. Patokallio confirmed with the President of Finland's continuing support to the FSM Government on climate change issues, and informed of available research assistance through the Coastal Baseline Study and Environment Program. He also raised issues on the UN Security Council for which Finland is bidding for a non-permanent seat for 2013-14. Discussions also covered the important roles of the European Union to the FSM, especially on Renewal and Alternative Energy.

Ambassador Hannikainen and Mr. Patokallio also made visits to Mr. Samson Pretrick, Acting Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Amena Yauvoli, Manager of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in the FSM. They departed Pohnpei on Saturday, February 18, 2012.