Former PM to head Nokia's corporate relations

Nokia has hired former Finnish prime minister Esko Aho as the firm's new head of corporate relations, an AFP report said.

The AFP report further quoted a Nokia statement saying Aho, who was centrist prime minister in 1991-1995, would begin at the company in the beginning of November.

His predecessor Veli Sundbaeck will retire next year and Aho will also take his seat on Nokia's executive board in 2009.

Another former prime minister, Paavo Lipponen of the Social Democratic Party, has meanwhile been appointed independent advisor for Nord Stream, the company said.

Nord Stream is planning a controversial gas pipeline from Russia to Germany and Lipponen, who led the government in 1995-2003, will advise the company on issues regarding Finnish decision-making.