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Halonen on farewell visit to Sweden

Tarja Halonen made the final bi-lateral working visit of her presidency on Tuesday with a trip to the Swedish capital, Stockholm. During the visit, President Halonen and her husband, Dr Pentti Arajärvi, attended a luncheon at the royal palace with Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

Presidentti Tarja Halonen
Image: YLE

By tradition, newly elected Finnish presidents make their first visits abroad to neighbouring countries, and the heads of state of these nations are also the last to whom they bid farewell.

As President Halonen's second and final term in office comes to an end, she has already carried out farewell visits to Estonia and Russia. Her Tuesday trip to Stockholm is the final bi-lateral working visit of her presidency.

President Halonen's very last occasion representing Finland abroad will be a visit to London on Wednesday and Thursday where she will be attending an international conference on Somalia.

Sources: YLE