Alexander Stubb and his wife on a state visit to Sweden
Published 2024-04-23 13.52
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Finnish loss in the hockey World Cup, classic restaurant Räkan in Gothenburg and Astrid Lindgren.
The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, has many fond childhood memories from Sweden. He states this in a statement at the Royal Palace today at the start of the two-day state visit.
– I have never felt as Swedish as I do today.
It is tradition for all newly elected Finnish presidents to pay a state visit to Sweden. This year, it is especially important to strengthen the ties between the countries in view of the new security situation.
There is a big focus on defense and NATO during the visit. Alexander Stubb states that a threat from the far east is bringing Finland and Sweden closer together.
– Our NATO membership was not completed until March 7, when Sweden became a member of NATO, says Alexander Stubb.
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The king also emphasizes how important it is that the two countries cooperate in security and defense matters.
– We stand united in our solidarity with Ukraine. Russia’s war of aggression is also a threat to our freedom and security. Continued support to Ukraine is therefore crucial to promoting peaceful development in our region, says the king.
Alexander Stubb is quite personal in his press statement at the castle. He states that it is a big day for him personally to be here. He comes from a bilingual family, but has Swedish as his mother tongue.
– My father was a war child in Sweden. He was hospitalized for six months here during World War II. The ties from there come very strongly into our personal relationship with the kingdom, says Stubb.
He says that he grew up with Astrid Lindgren and that his very first childhood memories come from the boat over to Sweden and Gröna Lund.
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The second day of the state visit is spent by the royal couple and the presidential couple in Gothenburg, a city that seems to be close to Stubb’s heart.
– I remember the WC in ice hockey in the late 70s or early 80s. Then it didn’t go so well for Finland, but I remember Räkan. It was a nice restaurant. I was a little boy. There was a pool like that and there you could use a radio-controlled boat to bring shrimp over. Unfortunately, the restaurant no longer exists, says the president, causing the assembled press corps to smile.
The state visit will be the seventh incoming state visit from Finland since the king became king in 1973.
President Alexander Stubb strives for a Sweden and a Finland that will stand closer to each other than ever before.
– I personally believe that we have not been as close to each other since 1809 info close 1809For over 600 years, Sweden and Finland were one and the same country, but in 1809 Sweden lost its eastern half to Russia.says the president.
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