Finnish President Tarja Halonen says that a democratic and prosperous Russia is in the interests of both the European Union and the United States.
Speaking in Brussels at the summit meeting of the EU and the USA, Halonen said that Finland hopes that it can support Russia in its bid to join the World Trade Organisation, on the condition that it "respects its international obligations".
At the meeting the EU leaders met US President George W. Bush.
Halonen was allotted one minute to speak at the summit. Originally Finland was not supposed to speak at all; EU Presidency-holder Luxembourg had asked ten EU member states for three-minute speeches. In her brief statement, Halonen spoke about Russia and the situation in the West Balkans.
In addition to the President, Finland was represented at the gathering by Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre). Both described the meeting as successful. Vanhanen said that the atmosphere was, at times, relaxed.
The best result of the meeting was seen to be the establishment of a positive atmosphere in relations between the United States and the EU. Vanhanen noted that differences between the USA and Europe were mentioned, but that they were not given any "great emphasis".
"When creating the right kind of atmosphere, it is likely that concrete results can be expected in the near future", Halonen said.
Vanhanen feels that the most significant political result of the meeting was the US commitment to Mideast peace efforts.
"Bush repeated his commitment to the formation of two states so that the Palestinians will get a territorially unified state. "
