SPEECH BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC MARTTI AHTISAARI
TO THE OUTGOING GOVERNMENT AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
IN HELSINKI ON 15.4.1999

After the general election in 1995, a fresh-minded effort immediately began to build government cooperation on a new basis with the goal of conquering unemployment and safeguarding the foundation of citizens' prosperity. Another of the Government's central tasks was to shape the national policy that Finland would pursue as a new member of the European Union. Although the backgrounds and ideological outlooks of its members differed, the Government demonstrated a good capacity for cooperation, which endured for the whole of the parliamentary term and is continuing in the new term now beginning. The Government has made its contribution to consolidating this valuable parliamentary practice.

The relative strengths of the coalition partners have changed. However, the Social Democrats retained the status of largest party, which left them with responsibility for forming a government. An ability to negotiate and reconcile differences is needed in a multi-party coalition. Responsibility for difficult solutions must be shouldered. What is important from the point of view of the country is an ability to bear also the longer-term consideration in mind when one is making decisions. The elections demonstrated dissatisfaction on the part of citizens. Thus there is a need to consider carefully what can now be done to solve the problems in the background to that dissatisfaction.

The outgoing Government persisted in its efforts to overcome the recession, and succeeded well. Our country's economy stabilised and growth continued. These factors helped create the conditions in which employment could be improved. Parallel to this, we were well able to meet the criteria for joining the third stage of economic and monetary union. The creation of the Euro Zone has further strengthened the economies of the participating countries.

Finland's position has strengthened during the term of the outgoing Government. From the pespective of foreign and security policy, its has been possible to defend our country's interests on the basis of sensible and smooth cooperation between the President of the Republic and the Government. This respects the letter and the spirit of our Constitution.

The international situation has become increasingly uncertain in recent months. There is now a dangerous situation in the Balkans. Finland has striven for a peaceful resolution in all stages of the crisis.

The upcoming EU Presidency has created completely new challenges for all of us. We shall have to shoulder major responsibility for continued management of the situation in the Balkans, the development of Russia's relations with the EU as well as many other questions within the sphere of the Union's responsibility. The outgoing Government has taken care of the arrangements for our term in the Presidency.

I thank the Government, the Prime Minister and all of his cabinet colleagues for their responsible and successful work for the good of the nation.

I wish you all good fortune and success.