Prime Minister Khaire receives Finish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Virtanen

Mogadishu, November 19, 2018–Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, His Excellency Hassan Ali Khaire today received Finland’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuli Virtanen who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Mogadishu.

PM Khaire and Mr Samuli discussed various issues foremost of which the need to boost bilateral ties between the two countries. The PM expressed gratitude to the Government and People of Finland for their invaluable support to Somalia over the years. The two leaders also agreed to work towards bolstering economic cooperation between the two countries.

On his part the Finish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who is on an official visit to Somalia, conveyed greetings and a message of goodwill from the Republic of Finland and expressed the willingness of his government to enhance the relationship between the two countries. Mr Samuli revealed that Finland is now willing to engage directly with the Federal Government of Somalia, and not through international organizations. He also mooted that plans are underway to lift the restrictions on the Somali National Passport, thus enabling Somali people to travel to Finland with ease.

The arrival of Mr. Samuli is a prelude to the expected arrival of a delegation of business people and potential investors from Finland. The delegation is expected to arrive in Mogadishu in early 2019. The Finish State Secretary of Foreign Affairs is also expected to meet a number of Federal Government Ministers during his stay in Mogadishu.

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