DUSHANBE, February 9, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon congratulated the new president of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, in a statement on February 8, the Tajik residential press service reports.

In his message of congratulations, Tajik leader, in particular, noted that he believes that relations between Tajikistan and Finland will develop in the interest of the two nations.

Tajikistan and Finland will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in September this year.

Born on August 24, 1948, Sauli Vainamo Niinisto is a Finnish politician of the National Coalition Party.  He is the president-elect of Finland, and will assume office on March 1, 2012, becoming the first president from the National Coalition Party since Juho Kusti Paasikivi, who left office in 1956.

Niinisto was the National Coalition Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election.  With 37.0% of the vote, he won the first round of the election and faced off against Pekka Havisto of the Green League in the decisive second round.  He carried the second round with around 62.6% against Haavisto''s 37.4%.