Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Ambassador Luis Fernando Andrade Falla (left), greets Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finland,
Mr. Alexander Stubb at the Ministry’s office in Helsinki, Finland

Port of Spain (January 15, 2009) –  Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Secretary General, Ambassador Luis Fernando Andrade Falla travelled to Helsinki, Finland from 11-13 January 2009 at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Mr. Alexander Stubb.

Ambassador Andrade met with Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb on 12 January to discuss opportunities to increase and deepen relations between Finland and the ACS.  Some of the proposed areas of possible cooperation include climate change and reforestation projects.

Secretary General Andrade also took the opportunity to visit the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission and the Finnish Meteorological Institute during the course of his visit.  Ambassador Andrade also engaged in meetings with business representatives from the telecommunications, ICT, and energy sectors.

Finland is currently involved in several cooperation projects in the Greater Caribbean region related to meteorology with a view to developing weather observations and promoting renewable energy sources.

Finland has been an Observer Country of the Association of Caribbean States since 2003.