Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen has conveyed his congratulations to Senator Barack Obama, who has been elected the next President of the United States.
Vanhanen says he hopes that co-operation between Finland and the new US Administration will continue to be "close and active". The premier noted that the US's participation is critical to implement measures to calm the global financial crisis and to combat climate change.
Vanhanen wished good luck to Obama, saying he believes bilateral relations under his administration will be productive.