State visit to Tromsø

The activities in Tromsø primarily revolved around research and cooperation in the Arctic. The day began with a visit to the University of Tromsø, where Rector Jarle Aarbakke gave a brief presentation before President Niinistö opened a discussion. The discussion was moderated by Ms Elina Halttunen, a Finnish researcher working at the University of Tromsø.

The aim was to embark on a constructive conversation on how to further improve the already productive cooperation between Norway and Finland in academic circles. All of the university’s students and employees were invited to attend. Rector Lauri Lajunen of the University of Oulu was also in attendance, together with several researchers and heads of industry from Finland.

Following an official luncheon hosted by the City of Tromsø, President Niinistö, Mrs Jenni Haukio and Crown Prince Haakon departed for a visit on board the University of Tromsø’s research vessel, R/V Helmer Hanssen.

On board the R/V Helmer Hanssen

The Helmer Hanssen is used by researchers at the University of Tromsø and other research environments, and is primarily deployed in the Barents Sea and the areas around Svalbard. Research activities include fish stock assessments, geological investigations, fishing gear trials, courses and workshops. Presentations and conversations on Tromsø as a knowledge city, climate development in the Arctic, polar research and Norwegian-Finnish cooperation were held on board the vessel.

Representatives of the Fram Centre, Kongsberg Satellite Services, the Arctic Council, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, BarentsWatch and marine bioprospecting studies at the University of Tromsø were also in attendance.