Tue, 08 Apr, 2014 12:00:42 AM Swiss President Didier Burkhalter visits Finland FTimes- Xinhua Report, April 08 ![]() President of Finland Sauli Niinistö (R) and the President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter during the press conference at the Government Banquet Hall in Helsinki on Monday. Photo Lehtikuva The President, Sauli Niinistö called for calmness for concerned parties involved in the Ukraine crisis on Monday.
Niinistö made the remarks after discussing the matter with visiting Swiss President Didier Burkhalter in Helsinki, according to a statement issued by the presidential office.
Niinistö said the situation in the eastern Ukraine is at a watershed.
"Certainly Europe and the whole world are now paying attention there," he told a press conference held after the discussion, adding that it would be extremely important that the situation there would calm down.
The calmness is "the prerequisite to push the whole situation forward," emphasized the president.
Meanwhile, Burkhalter urged the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to be active in the peace mediation for Ukraine by sending more observers.
The discussion between the two presidents focused on the Ukraine crisis, the bilateral relations between Finland and Switzerland, as well as the EU-Swiss relations and free trade.
Burkhalter is making a state visit to Finland from April 6 to 8. During his visit, Burkhalter will also meet Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja.
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