SPEECH
BY PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI AT A LUNCHEON SERVED
IN HONOUR OF MR MARC FORNÉ, THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
OF
ANDORRA, PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, 10.11.1999
It is my pleasure to
welcome you and your companions to Finland.
Your visit is the
first high-level visit between Finland and Andorra.
It is also splendid proof of the rapid development of
our relations in recent years. Diplomatic relations
were established in 1995. We attach great value to
the fact that Andorra has this year accredited its
Madrid ambassador to Helsinki as well.
In spite of geographic
distance, Andorra is known in Finland as a prosperous
state with a high level of civilization. My
generation learned about your country at an early
age, when stamp collecting was one of our main
hobbies. I still remember how exciting it was to
obtain Andorra's splendid stamps for our modest
collections. They were the pride of our collection.
Thanks to our hobby we also learned exactly where to
place Andorra on the European map.
We are aware of
Andorra's long historical roots, which go back to the
days of Charlemagne. Between two large neighbours,
Spain and France, Andorra has been able to preserve
its national identity over the centuries.
The history and
present democratic system of Finland and Andorra are
linked by the fact that the traditions of both our
parliaments stretch back to the Middle Ages, to the
14th and 15th centuries.
During your visit you
have solemnly signed the Helsinki Final Act of the
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
This seals Andorra's full participation in European
cooperation, whose purpose is to make Europe a
continent of peace and security. Its purpose is also
to ensure the right of all European states, small and
large, to independence and the preservation of their
national identity.
The Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe, to whose work I
now welcome Andorra, has a vitally important role.
The OSCE is an essential political actor in resolving
European conflicts and creating stability. The OSCE's
valuable activities link all the states of Europe as
well as the United States and Canada.
Today we have
discussed the position of small states and their
future in Europe. This is also an important theme for
Finland. We believe that the only foundation for
European cooperation is equality among all states.
Finland has consistently emphasized this principle
during its presidency of the European Union.
Your visit to Finland
takes place at a time when the European Union has
reached a new stage of development. We are also
striving ambitiously to deepen integration in the
field of justice and home affairs, which was the main
them of the European Council in Tampere. At the
December meeting of the European Council in Helsinki
we will focus on the development of the common
foreign and security policy and prepare for the
enlargement of the Union, which will be a long and
difficult process. Enlargement requires the reform of
the Union's institutions, the preparation of which is
part of our tasks during the Finnish presidency. We
hope that we can achieve rapid progress in the
Union's Mediterranean strategy, which also has a
bearing on Andorra's interests. Economic and monetary
union is already a reality and a couple of years from
now we will have a common currency, the euro.
The EU and Andorra
have expanded cooperation throughout the 1990s. Your
country is a close partner for geographical reasons
alone. On the basis of a mandate which the EU
approved in February 1997, negotiations are presently
being conducted on a cooperation agreement between
the EU and Andorra. This will significantly
supplement the 1990 agreement providing for a customs
union. We hope that progress can be made rapidly,
since it is in everyone's interests. I would also
like to repeat Finland's support for Andorra's
membership in the WTO.
I believe that your
visit will increase mutual interest in developing
cooperation between Finland and Andorra. Skiing
tours, for instance, offer possibilities alongside
traditional trade. I hope that your example will
encourage your fellow countrymen to visit Finland.
Many Finns are already familiar with scenic Andorra's
excellent winter sports centres. Our cooperation in
international forums has got off to a good start, as
evidenced by the beneficial meeting between our
foreign ministers at the UN General Assembly in New
York in autumn 1997.
I would like to
propose a toast to good relations and friendship
between Finland and Andorra and to the success of
yourself and your companions and the entire people of
Andorra.
