State visits | Oslo welcomed the presidential couple – such gifts were received by the royal family from Finland

Slightly the cold but even sunnier fall weather created a great setting for the president by Alexander Stubb and his spouse By Suzanne Innes-Stubb for the first day of the state visit to Norway on Tuesday. The day started traditionally in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo.

The Finnish presidential couple were received by the king Harald V and the queen Sonja. Harald, who suffered from health problems and moved with the help of crutches, continued to stand during the national anthems, but when the company of honor was inspected, the crown prince Haakon moved to succeed his father.

Haakon’s spouse, crown princess Mette-Mariton the other hand, kept Suzanne Innes-Stubb company when the spouses went to get to know the language training for immigrants.

The King’s Castle a small group of Finns living in Norway waving the Finnish flag had also arrived in the yard. Small Ninny carried in a carrier bag Simon Jernroth said that the president immediately told him to address him “just as Alex”.

“I have to say that Alex is very charismatic and it’s good that he speaks Nordic Scandinavian,” Jernroth said.

The president’s relaxed appearance had made an impression.

“Alex threw a flap there about whether the weather will be as good in Bergen.”

The last day of the state visit, Thursday, will be spent in a coastal city famous for its rainfall.

Stubbs the message service also announced the start of the state visit on Tuesday in X.

“Suzanne and I’s third state visit is about to begin. Norway has always been a good neighbor, but as allies we are even closer than before,” Stubb wrote.

“I’m looking forward to the next three days.”

Tuesday’s program also included a wreath-laying ceremony at Akershus fortress, from where honor shots were also fired in the morning to mark the start of the state visit.

In the Norwegian parliament, Stubb was received by the speaker of the Stortinget, or the upper house Masud Gharahkhani. In addition, the president talked with the representatives of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Grand Chamber.

“Thank you for the support for our NATO membership. The Stortinget was among the first to ratify our membership. We will not forget this”, Stubb messaged after the visit.

The first day of the state visit ended with gala dinners hosted by the Norwegian royal couple at the Royal Castle.

A state visit the political part is on the turn on Wednesday, when the president holds talks with the prime minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støren with.

Stubb also participates in a discussion on the foreign and security policy operating environment at BI Norwegian Business School and gives a speech at a business seminar organized by the central business organizations of Norway and Finland.

Stubb’s state visit to Norway comes at an interesting time in terms of both internal and external security. Norwegian Security Police PsT raised a week ago, the level of the terrorist threat to the second highest level on a five-point scale. According to PsT, the threat stems from the situation in the Middle East and targets Israeli and Jewish targets in particular.

Norway has also implemented enhanced temporary border controls until at least October 22.

Norway is also growing next year defense budget by about a fifth to 110 billion kroner (about 9.2 billion euros). In particular, earmarked money is directed to strengthening the defense industry.