Wed, 07 Sep, 2016 12:04:08 AM Norwegian royal couple accorded reception FTimes – Xinhua-STT Report, Sep 7  King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway were accorded reception by the President, Sauli Niinistö and First lady Jenni Haukio at the Presidencial palace on Tuesday. Photo Lehtikuva. Norway may after all not be willing to change the Finnish-Norwegian border in the far north as some expected, reported the news agency Xinhua.
The message was sent when Norwegian King Harald and Queen Sonja visited Finland on Tuesday.
Finland’s highest mountain Halti has a peak of 1,324 metres located near the Norwegian border. But on the Norwegian side, a nearby top of the same mountain is some metres higher. The situation was found out in measurements in recent years.
In Norway, an idea has come up to donate the truly highest top to Finland as a gift in 2017 when Finland celebrates the 100th Independence Day. The border change in the North may have no practical impact on people’s lives.
At a press conference in Helsinki, King Harald transferred the question to Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende. The minister made no pledge, but mentioned “judicial problems” in changing borders and said a good gift would be given in any case.
News agency STT adds: Norwegian King Harald V and Queen Sonja, who arrived in Finland on Monday on a three-day state visit, were accorded a dignified reception in Helsinki on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people attended the impressive reception ceremony organised in front of the Presidential Palace.
First, King Harald V and President Sauli Niinistö inspected a march of an honour guard, a part of the state tradition.
The audience followed the ceremonies in the market square, though visibility to the Northern Esplanade by an organised honour guard. Traffic was diverted before the start of the ceremony.
After the inspection, the smiling couples posed for photographers and waved to the audience from the palace balcony.
The audience responded with resounding applause, after which the spouses of the heads of state went back indoors, where official discussions took place.
The Norwegian royal couple’s visit focuses on economy, health and education. On Tuesday, the king and queen were introduced to, among others, Speaker of Parliament Maria Lohela.
During the day, the royal couple also met with Prime Minister Juha Sipilä.
The royal couple’s programme also included lunch at the City Hall, laying a wreath at the Hietaniemi Cemetery, and dinner back in the Presidential Palace. The schedule also includes a visit to Oulu, a city in northern Finland.
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