In attendance, were Gov. John Ehsa of Pohnpei, members of the president’s cabinet and the resident diplomatic corps.
Mori welcomed the ambassador and his wife to the FSM, and congratulated Hannikainen for his historic appointment as the first envoy of Finland to the FSM since the establishment of diplomatic relations on May, 4, 2010.
Mori affirmed the importance of this newly established relationship with the government of Finland, and indicated that the ambassador’s formal accreditation has marked the first step in the advancement of the FSM-Finnish relations, and opened-up a doorway whereby the two governments can engage on matters of mutual interest to both countries.
Mori expressed his desire to “move forward” in strengthening the relationship between the two countries, and encouraged him to visit the others states of the federation.
Hannikainen mentioned his previous visit to the FSM in 2009, as a member of a special mission and of his pleasure to be able to visit the islands again although in a different capacity.
He said with his accreditation as the ambassador of Finland to the FSM, the relationship between the two countries has reached a new level.
He also mentioned waste management and environmental conservation as some of the areas of interest for engagement with the FSM.
