Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Finnish President Tarja Halonen held talks at the royal palace in Jeddah last night. Halonen arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday for a historic three-day official visit. It is the first ever official visit by a Finnish president to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-Finnish talks focused on regional and international issues as well as ways to boost bilateral relations. The meeting was also attended by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal, and Cabinet member Abdullah Zeinnel.
King Abdullah also presented President Halonen with the King Abdulaziz Medal, which is awarded to heads of state and world leaders. She in turn presented the King with the Order of the White Rose, Finland’s top medal.
Earlier in the day, King Abdullah greeted the president at the royal palace with a red-carpet welcome and an honor guard review, followed by a luncheon.
Today, President Halonen met with Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz for a separate round of talks.
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