Speaking at an event on the 90th anniversary of formal Finnish-American diplomatic relations, Halonen praised the direction Obama has taken with the international community. Specifically, she credited him for warmer relations with the European Union and the United Nations.
Speaking at the University of Helsinki on Wednesday, she also said his pledge to bring the US into the fight against global warming could be the boost the world needs to reach a new commitment on greenhouse gas emission targets at the UN's Copenhagen Climate Change Summit in December.
"It is a most welcome message that the United States is committed to step up efforts in combating climate change," said Halonen.