SPEECH
AT A DINNER HOSTED BY TÜSIAD
at the
Ciragan Palace Hotel (Ottoman Cabinet)
First I would like to
stress how fruitful these past days have been for
Europe and Turkey in particular. Just a few hours ago
the OSCE Istanbul Summit was brought to a successful
conclusion and I am happy to say that congratulations
are in order. The organisers did an excellent job and
I am confident that all the participating states were
pleased with the results of this Summit.
I would like to
express my deep regret for the loss of lives in
earthquakes both in August and a few days ago.
Disasters have shaken the life of people in
North-West Turkey and caused a lot of material
damage. We, in Finland and in the European Union,
pledge our continuous support to Turkey to cope with
the damage. Finnish enterprises are also ready to
co-operate with the Turkish authorities and business
partners to supply material and equipment which is
needed to alleviate the short-term problems caused by
the earthquakes. They are also naturally prepared to
participate in reconstruction work in different ways.
I have come to Turkey
representing both Finland and the Presidency of the
European Union - of which Finland is in charge until
the end of this year. I am glad to say that our
bilateral relations are on a solid basis. However,
there is certainly room for intensifying our contacts
and dialogue, be it political, cultural or economic.
We are looking forward to more active cooperation
that can benefit both of us.
The Finnish Presidency
attaches great importance to improving relations
between the EU and Turkey. Turkey is an important
partner for the European Union, and we are committed
to integrating Turkey further into European
structures. This would benefit us both.
Turkey’s status
in the enlargement process will be discussed at the
forthcoming Helsinki Summit. We are working for a
good result that can pave the way for even closer
cooperation in the years to come. The aim is to place
Turkey on an equal footing with the other candidates,
bringing both benefits and obligations.
This evening will give
us all a valuable opportunity to exchange views on
bilateral trade relations and economic cooperation
between Turkey and Finland. This evening is also a
demonstration of the good connections of the TÛSIAD,
our host tonight, to whom I want to express warm
thanks for arranging this dinner.
For me, this evening
provides an opportunity to share with you some
thoughts about how to develop our bilateral economic
and trade relations. I am confident that you will
agree with me when I say that on that score we have
already come a long way, but there is scope to do
much more and better. I am also delighted to see
again many important players in the Turkish-Finnish
business circles with whom I had a chance to meet
briefly in Helsinki a short time ago.
Trade and economic
cooperation between our countries have developed
briskly since Finland joined the EU at the beginning
of 1995 and Turkey was included in the European
customs union one year later. I am happy to say that
even before that many Finnish enterprises had
long-term relations with Turkish business partners,
and during the past four years those trade ties and
business interests have been further strengthened.
Turkey's recent
industrial development and the establishment of a
customs union has also attracted more and more
Finnish investors to Turkey. Currently 12 Finnish
companies have established operations in Turkey. This
may sound rather modest, but let me add that over 50
Finnish companies are represented here through local
agents.
Tonight we have here a
very representative collection of business leaders
from Finnish companies which are active on the
Turkish market. Around this table we have
representatives of Nokia and Sonera from the telecom
sector. Then we have Kone Corporation, which makes
elevators and cranes, and Metra-Wärtsilä, which
makes diesel engines. The Metso Corporation is also
represented. We also have here tonight the chairman
of the Finnish-Turkish Business Association, who is
also representing Polydata, a specialist in the
construction sector. Last but not least the
Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers,
instrumental in the shaping of the Finnish business
delegation, has sent a representative. This
composition reflects the current presence and also
the potential presence of Finnish expertise on the
Turkish market.
Turkey is Finland's
most important non-EU export market in the
Mediterranean. Our enterprises look forward to
cooperating with their Turkish customers and partners
in many sectors, of which some are new. I will not
try to mention them all. They cover, among other
things, environmental management in electricity
production; forestry development, including fighting
forest fires; supplies for construction such as
elevators, cranes, construction components and
elements, and complete housing modules; pre-fab
houses; diesel engines for decentralized energy
production and marine use.
Finnish enterprises
have been active in Turkey and that is why the latest
trade figures show that Finnish exports to Turkey are
rising. The balance of trade shows a surplus for
Finland, but the balance of tourism and investments
made by Finnish companies in Turkey level the surplus
significantly. Turkey continues to figure as one of
the favourite holiday resorts for Finns. This field
has good prospects in the future as well. I wish to
encourage Turkish enterprises to be more active in
Finnish markets. Finland is always interested in
studying new possibilities and sectors in which to
improve economic relations with Turkey and also
possibilities for co-operation in third countries. To
Turkish companies, I would like to point out that
Finland has a lot to offer investors, too.
Trade and economic
cooperation between Finland and Turkey have
experienced an encouraging development and
diversification during this decade. Many factors have
contributed to this. Let us keep this process in
motion. Let us all raise our glasses to constructive
and positive efforts that lead our countries and the
whole of Europe into the new millennium.
Thank you very much!
