TBILISI, DFWatch – Finland’s Foreign Minister is on a working visit to Georgia within the frames of a tour of the region.

Erkki Tuomioja arrived in Georgia on April 3, the 20 year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and Georgia.

He met his Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze, and the two discussed priority issues concerning bilateral and multilateral co-operation between Georgia and Finland with a special focus on the importance of the need to deepen trade and economic relations.

Discussions also concentrated on the issue of Georgia’s integration into European structures, for which Mr Tuomioja pledged his support, the Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry writes.

The Finnish Foreign Minister also held a meeting in parliament and met the Vice Speaker and representatives of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Mr Tuomioja welcomed the effective implementation of agreements on simplified visa rules and on readmission as well as the prospect of launching a visa dialogue before the summer of 2012.

He will later hold meetings with the State Minister on Reintegration Issues, representatives of the EU Monitoring Mission and members of various political parties.