Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender paid a state visit to the Republic of Finland from 17 to 19 September.
On the first two days, the Federal President had political talks in Helsinki with, among others, Finland’s President Sauli Niinstö and Prime Minister Juha Sipilä. They visited Polaris, the world’s first icebreaker operating on liquid gas, and the fortress island Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the third day of the state visit, the President and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Oulu, the most northerly city in the EU and the hub of the Finnish digital sector. There they found out more about, among other things, smart technologies and the development of mobile communications standard 5G.
Overview of the programme:
Monday, 17 September
Morning
Flight to Helsinki/Finland
- Presidential palace
Welcome with military honours by Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, and Jenni Haukio
Thereafter
Signing of the guest book - City Hall
Luncheon hosted by Jan Vapaavuori, Mayor of the City of Helsinki - Parliament
Talks with Paula Risikko, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Finland - Delegation hotel
Talks with representatives of German and Finnish business on tomorrow’s working world - Port of Helsinki
Guided tour of the Polaris icebreaker - Presidential palace
State banquet in honour of the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender hosted by the President of the Republic of Finland and Jenni Haukio
Tuesday, 18 September
- Kesäranta, Residence of the Prime Minister
Talks with Juha Sipilä, Prime Minister - Mäntyniemi, Residence of the President
Talks with the President and experts on Russia - Hietaniemi cemetery
Wreath laying ceremony at the Heroes’ Cross and at the grave of Field Marshal Mannerheim - Espoo
Visit to the Me & MyCity educational initiative - Guest house of the Republic of Finland
Luncheon with representatives of Finnish society - Kauppatori
Boat trip to Suomenlinna fortress - Tour of the fortress
- Ambassador’s Residence
Reception hosted by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender
Wednesday, 19 September
- Morning
Flight to Oulu/Finland - Oulu University
Visit and guided tour of the university - Hiukkavaara community centre – Future School
Guided tour of the school and visit to classes - City Hall
Luncheon hosted by Päivi Laajala, Mayor of Oulu - VTT Technical Research Centre
Visit to and presentation of various spin offs of the research centre - Visit to Bittium
- Nokia production site
Guided tour of the production site - Pehkolanlampi House
Guided tour of the site Evening
Flight to Berlin