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President Emanuel Mori receives Credentials for the First Ambassador of Finland to the FSM

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): May 4, 2011 - On April 27^th, President Emanuel Mori accepted and received the Letter of Credence of His Excellency Heikki Hannikainen, Ambassador of Finland to the Federated States of Micronesia, in an official ceremony at the Office of the President in Palikir, Pohnpei. In attendance of the ceremony were Governor John Ehsa of Pohnpei State, members of the President's Cabinet, and members of the resident Diplomatic Corps.

During the ceremony President Mori welcomed the Ambassador and his wife to the FSM, and congratulated the Ambassador for his historic appointment as the first Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the Federated States of Micronesia, since establishment of Diplomatic relations on May, 4, 2010. President Mori affirmed the importance of this newly established relationship with the Government of Finland, and indicated that the Ambassador's formal accreditation has marked the first step in the advancement of the FSM-Finnish relations, and opened-up a doorway whereby the two governments can engage on matters of mutual interest to both countries. President Mori expressed his desire to "move forward" in strengthening the relationship between the two countries, and encouraged him to visit the others States of the Federation.

After presenting his credentials, Ambassador Hannikainen mentioned of his previous visit to the FSM in 2009, as a member of a special mission and of his pleasure to be able to visit the FSM again although in a different capacity. He affirmed that, with his accreditation as the Ambassador of Finland to the FSM, the relationship between the two countries has reached a new level. He also mentioned waste management and environmental conservation as some of the areas of interest for engagement with the FSM. The Ambassador concluded his statement by expressing his desire to visit the FSM again.