Asunción, Agencia IP.- The Paraguayan President, Santiago Peña, held a meeting in Helsinki with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, with whom, he stated, he shares a common vision: to transform their nations through education, innovation, and sustainable development.
«It was a very pleasant conversation where we were able to review the international agenda and, of course, commit to continuing to work together so that Paraguay and Finland can serve as a bridge between Europe and Latin America,» expressed the Paraguayan President after the meeting.
During the dialogue, both Presidents addressed topics of mutual interest, such as strengthening multilateralism, Finland’s support for the Mercosur–European Union agreement, and bilateral cooperation in areas such as education, technology, sustainability, and forest development.
President Peña highlighted Finland’s transformation process, from high levels of poverty to becoming a leader in innovation and well-being. «A nation that 30 or 40 years ago had very high poverty levels and that, in one or two generations, has managed to transform itself through education and economic diversification,» he noted.
In that context, he emphasized the relevance of the Finnish model as an inspiration for Paraguay’s development. «Education brought with it innovation and technology, with companies of global scale,» added the Head of State.
Shared potential and common vision
Both leaders agreed that the challenges of the multilateral system must be addressed with greater integration and cooperation among nations. «We believe there are flaws in the multilateral system, but we also believe that these flaws are best addressed with more multilateralism and maximum effort in all areas,» he affirmed.
They also identified significant opportunities on the bilateral agenda, particularly in the forestry sector, which the president described as one of the pillars of sustainable economic development.
The Head of State praised Finland’s history and geopolitical position—a small country in terms of population but deeply integrated into the world and with a legacy of resilience. «Finland is also a middle power, with a history very similar to that of Paraguay,» he reflected.
The official visit strengthens a shared roadmap between Paraguay and Finland, focused on the exchange of experiences and the enhancement of public policies aimed at inclusive, sustainable, and globally-minded growth.