Stubb and Clinton discuss Russia and EU at meeting in Washington
“We exchanged mobile phone numbers”
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Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) summed up his meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday, saying “We exchanged mobile phone numbers. This is a good place to move forward.”
The discussions, lasting about 40 minutes, were dominated by international issues, such as Russia, the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as the US role with respect to the European Union.
On the basis of the discussions, Stubb said that he sees that the United States and Russia are coming closer.
“The United States is extending its hand in every direction, also to Russia”, he said.
Secretary of State Clinton wanted to hear Finland’s analysis of Russia.
“We went through Finland’s points of view and emphasised that the closer we can work together with Russia economically, politically and from the point of view of foreign policy, the better.”
Stubb said that Clinton welcomed Finnish participation in the effort in Afghanistan.
“We emphasised the importance of training for civilian crisis management. Finnish policy in Afghanistan was praised by Clinton in this respect.”
Stubb said that US foreign policy now emphasises multilateral international cooperation more than before. “The Bush administration took a slightly tougher line.”
The Foreign Minister said that he also took up the topic of a possible visit to the White House by Finnish President Tarja Halonen.
The response was positive, but Stubb noted that these matters are largely questions of scheduling.
The Finnish Foreign Minister also met with a number of representatives of the administration of President Barack Obama. He also visited the Brookings Institution for discussions with leading US foreign policy experts.
Later in the day Stubb met with President Obama’s security policy advisor, General Jim Jones and met former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, who remains an important figure in foreign policy among US Democrats.
On Tuesday Stubb will mark the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and the USA with a lunch meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg, after which he meets with Deputy Secretary of Defence William Lynn for discussions on Russia and Afghanistan.
Stubb leaves for his return trip to Finland on Tuesday evening.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 12.5.2009 - TODAY |
 Stubb and Clinton discuss Russia and EU at meeting in Washington |
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