Finland’s foreign minister visits Washington en route to Arctic Council summit
Foreign Minister and Finns Party leader Timo Soini will meet his US counterpart Rex Tillerson in Alaska this week, but not before stopping in the American capital.
Foreign Minister Timo Soini began a visit to the United States on Monday. He will first visit the nation’s capital Washington, DC and travel on to the 10th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Foreign Ministry said that Soini means to “extend Finnish political connections to the United States and strengthen international relations”.
Soini also intends to take part in a conference in Washington focusing on issues such as trans-Atlantic cooperation, Russian concerns and Arctic issues.
The Ministry also said that Soini will meet members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
On Thursday Soini wil meet his US counterpart, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in Alaska.
“Ministerial-level representatives from the eight Arctic States will convene to review and approve work completed under the two-year US Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic,” the Council’s page states.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada’s foreign affairs minister looks to thaw relations with Russia at Arctic summit, Radio Canada International
Denmark/Greenland: Nordics to step up security cooperation on perceived Russian threat, Yle News
Finland: Finnish government: New ministers named as cabinet grows, Yle News
Iceland: The Arctic Council at 20 – View from Iceland, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway and Finland talk Arctic with China, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian and Finnish foreign ministers tackle “difficult issues” during meeting in Finland, Yle News
Sweden: Swedish foreign minister to meet Russian counterpart, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson will attend Arctic Council event in Fairbanks, Alaska Dispatch News
The Arctic Council chairmanship moves from the United States to Finland on May 11, 2017 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Eye on the Arctic’s Eilís Quinn along with EOTA media partners and contributors will be bringing you stories, interviews and analysis leading up to the handover.
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