Finland's President at Villa Hammerschmidt
A good 24 years after the last state visit to the former capital Bonn, a German Federal President has once again received a head of state from another country there. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed the Finnish President Sauli Niinistö on Wednesday with military honors in the Villa Hammerschmidt, located near the banks of the Rhine.
During the last state visit to Bonn to date, the then Federal President Roman Herzog had received the Emir of Qatar in 1999, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Federal President. According to the Office of the Federal President, the fact that Finnish President Niinistö was invited to Bonn has a symbolic background: the visit honors the close partnership between Germany and Finland, which - as a result of Willy Brandt's new German Ostpolitik at the time - established diplomatic relations 50 years ago.
"You are the first president I have had the pleasure of welcoming here in Bonn in my seven years as president," Steinmeier said to Niinistö. Niinistö said that he had always been extremely satisfied during his 14 previous visits to Germany - and was perhaps "most satisfied" in Bonn. Steinmeier said that, firstly, he liked Villa Hammerschmidt very much and, secondly, there was a lot to be said for showing it to the world. However, according to the Office of the Federal President, there are currently no concrete plans to receive other heads of state in Bonn.
Villa Hammerschmidt has been the official residence of the Federal President since 1950. Since Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker's decision in 1994 to move the official residence of the head of state to Bellevue Palace in Berlin, it has been considered the second official residence of the Federal President. On Wednesday, Niinistö and Steinmeier wanted to sign the city of Bonn's Golden Book and visit the Beethoven House. On Thursday, the Bundeswehr and the electronics systems provider ESG will demonstrate a drone defense system to the two presidents on the grounds of the Ministry of Defense in Bonn. A boat trip on the Rhine is also planned.
Federal President Steinmeier's diplomatic efforts with Finland were evident as he welcomed President Niinistö, highlighting the significance of their international relationship. The close partnership between Germany and Finland, established 50 years ago, was honored through Niinistö's visit to Bonn, serving as the head of state representing his country.
Source: www.dpa.com
