Helsinki - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Monday expressed his support for a planned underwater Baltic Sea gas pipeline during a two-day state visit to neighbouring Finland.

The Russian head of state and his wife were received by Finnish President Tarja Halonen and other officials, with the exception of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen who is currently in China.

Medvedev and Halonen touched on the Nord Stream project during their talks and at a news conference.

The Russian president said the "project is of great benefit for the whole of Europe and individual countries."

The 1,200-kilometre pipeline would run from Vyborg in Russia to Greifswald, Germany and pass through the Finnish economic zone.

Finland and other countries are evaluating the plans presented by the international consortium including Russian gas giant Gazprom.

"If one can guarantee that the pipeline is ecologically safe, we think it would be a good solution," President Halonen said.

The two heads of state also discussed trade issues such as hiked export tariffs on Russian timber and means to ease visa formalities.

The visit is Medvedev's first to Finland since he took office after Vladimir Putin.

He also held a speech at Helsinki University before attending a state banquet hosted by Halonen.

On Tuesday the two heads of state were to visit Provoo, east of Helsinki where the Russian Czar Alexander I in 1809 convened a Diet after Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy within Russia. (dpa)