SINGAPORE - Singapore and Finland have reaffirmed their friendly bilateral relations and discussed ways of promoting more cooperation.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Manpower Sam Tan also reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to supporting the work of the Arctic Council (AC) under Finland's chairmanship during his visit to the country from Sept 19 to Sept 22.

Mr Tan, who is also Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met State Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office Paula Lehtomäki and Markku Keinänen, Under Secretary of State for External Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, and extended his congratulations to Finland on its 100th year of independence this year.

Both sides also discussed how to promote economic cooperation, including Finland's support for the early ratification of the European Union (EU)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

Mr Tan also met Mr Tero Vauraste, Chairman of the Arctic Economic Council and President and Chief Executive Officer of icebreaking and offshore services provider Arctia Oy, Rovaniemi mayor Esko Lotvonen, as well as President and CEO of Lapland Chamber of Commerce Timo Rautajoki.

He visited the Finnish Meteorological Institute to understand the opportunities and challenges in the Arctic, and the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, where he explored opportunities for research collaboration with institutions in Singapore.

Mr Tan also met some Singaporeans living in Helsinki, and the Singapore participants at the 4th Arctic Energy Summit.