On September 27 RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan had a private talk with Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland being on an official visit in Armenia.

The problems of Armenian-Finnish relations were discussed in the private talk. Both sides highlighted the political, economic and scientific-cultural relations between two countries and the development of inter-parliamentary relations was especially highlighted. It was noted that a friendship group with the Parliament of Finland was established in the Parliament of Armenia. At Mrs. Halonen's request, NA Speaker presented the democratic reforms taking place, and the use of the Finnish experience was highlighted.

The delegation headed by Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland met in the National Assembly with NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan, NA Vice Speaker Tigran Torosyan, chairmen of the standing committees, heads of groups-factions. At the meeting Justice Minister Davit Harutiunyan and the ambassadors of two countries were present.

Welcoming the guests, NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan expressed conviction that the visit will be an impetus in the development of the Armenian-Finnish relations. NA Speaker highlighted the development of the inter-parliamentary relations, the cooperation in international structures and the experience exchange in the sphere of legislation. Adopting the policy of Euro-Integration, Armenia pays great importance to the study of the Finnish experience. It was noted that in the National Assembly a parliamentary friendship group with the Parliament of Finland functions. The cooperation was considered necessary in the spheres of culture, science and education. Highly estimating the activity of the Armenological center set up in Finland, the Parliament Speaker expressed readiness to promote the center in getting new literature. NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan invited his Finnish colleagues to Armenia.

Expressing gratitude, Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, underscored that the existing parliamentary friendship group political relations created good bases for the further cooperation and highlighted not only the bilateral, but also the deepening of the inter-parliamentary relations, noting that a parliamentary friendship group with South Caucasus was set up in the parliament of Finland. Mrs. Halonen invited the Armenian parliamentarians to participate in 2006 at the celebrations of the 100^th anniversary of the Parliament of Finland, which will be also useful for the development of the inter-parliamentary relations and experience exchange. The President of Finland expressed a hope that the Constitutional amendments in Armenia will go on in the atmosphere of consent.

At the end Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland made notes in the book of honorable guests.