Foreign Trade Minister Vilén to meet with US chief trade negotiator Robert Zoellick in Washington

Foreign Trade Minister Jari Vilén will make a working visit to the United States on 20-29 January. The aim of the trip is to promote Finnish-US trade and economic ties, discuss the trade policy objectives of both countries and seek information on the US economic outlook. In Washington, Minister Vilén will meet with US chief trade negotiator Robert Zoellick and Deputy Trade Secretary Samuel Bodman on Tuesday, and with Deputy Foreign Secretary for Trade Alan Larson on Wednesday.

The discussions will range over matters relating to the WTO, Russia, and EU-US trade relations, cross border cooperation and bilateral ties.

From Washington, Minister Vilén will travel to California to meet with Finnish business leaders in Silicon Valley and discuss the outlook for the IT and media sectors.

In New York, the Minister will address business leaders at Scandinavia House and discuss current issues, including trade and development, with top UN administrators.

Further information: Counsellor Anna Wickström-Noejgaard, tel. +358 9 60 5253, and Counsellor Paula Parviainen, Minister Vilén's Press Assistant, gsm + 358 40 571 9370.