The Finnish leadership had hoped to give a formal address at the summit; however, the Czech Republic, the current EU President and summit host, only allotted half of all EU members states three-minute speaking slots.
Vanhanen’s talking points would have included the financial crisis and foreign policy topics. President Halonen had looked forward to discussing the position of Afghan women.
Everyone would have had a chance to speak if timetables had been strictly adhered to, according to Halonen.
Eight-day, five-country tour
US President Barack Obama flew out of Prague Sunday, heading to Turkey for the final leg of his maiden trip to the continent.
Before coming to Prague, Obama had also attended a G20 summit in London and a NATO gathering jointly hosted by France and Germany.