Address by President Martti Ahtisaari at the University of

Tartu, June 1, 1994:

THE BALTIC SEA REGION WITHIN AN INTEGRATING EUROPE

Honourable Mr President, of the Republic of Estonia,

Distinguished Rector,

Ladies and gentlemen:

I want to thank you warmly for giving me the opportunity to speak at this distinguished European university. It has been a seat of learning for many Finns since the 17th century.

The University of Tartu is one of the most important educational and cultural institutions in the Baltic Sea region.

During the Soviet period, contacts between universities constituted the lifeline that kept Finnish-Estonian relations alive through those long and difficult years. Links between the universities of Tartu and Helsinki were re-established in the 1950s first in the field of sports.

President Urho Kekkonen's visit in 1964 was of great importance. As a result interaction between our two countries began to grow.

The Faculty of Philosophy of Helsinki University, whose four-yearly solemn conferment of degrees is Finland's most prestigious academic occasion, chose Estonians several times for the conferment of high and rare honours. In 1969, the linguist Paul Ariste was given an honorary doctorate, as was the folklorist Ants Viires in 1982, writer Lennart Meri in 1986, and writer Jaan Kross in 1990. Last week Paul-Johannes Alvre received the same honour. The University of Turku has also become an important centre of relations with Estonia, and inter-university contacts are far from being restricted to these two universities.

During these difficult years Finland did not forget Estonia. At the political level no real progress was made, but more on the level of civic societies.

Ladies and gentlemen:

I am sure that for you Estonians, regaining your political independence marked the decisive step to reassert your identity as a nation, as one of the peoples surrounding the Baltic Sea, and as a part of the European cultural community. For you there are now more encouraging signs with regard to the future than there have been for decades.

For us Finns, too, restoration of independence of the Baltic countries marks a strengthening of our European identity, complemented with the Baltic identity. Viewed from Helsinki, the Baltic Sea now really has two shores. The liberation of the Baltic countries brought Europe closer to Finland, possibly decisively so.

The great reformation of our continent is also a great opportunity. We do not want to see a return to a Europe of national states where wars and power politics settled disputes. We want a Europe based on cooperation and partnership. In it, there is room for differences, minorities are not oppressed, but instead individuality is encouraged.

Enlightened national feeling is the salt of the new Europe; not the spiritual element that holds it together. The integrating Europe is recognized by its common values, democracy, sense of social responsibility, open societies and vigorous market economy.

Both Finland and Estonia are constructing a multicultural, but increasingly unified Europe.

Today, each state must find its place within a regional, continental and global context. It is increasingly clear that the smaller countries of the Baltic Sea region share the same kind of position in world politics.

History has often served as a dividing factor between Finland and Estonia. Now, the time of separation belong to the past.

Ladies and gentlemen:

The late president of France, Charles de Gaulle pointed out that the peace treaties signed after the First World War were mere cease-fire agreements "in the Thirty Years War of our time". We understand this fact better now when a whole century of two destructive world wars and subsequent ideological confrontation is turning towards its end.

In fact, this century has been one major upheaval following another, of breaking free from a system of national states, of the system that bred power politics.

Today, no single state wishes to carry the burden of the world upon its shoulders, like Atlas in the Greek mythology. Now, the burden has to be shared between big and small states alike, so that none of them tires, is exhausted under this burden.

Now that ideological division in Europe has reached its end, a new and integrating Europe is being built up gradually, through consultations and cooperation. This is not a task without obstacles, but it is possible, and ultimately indispensable.

It is important for the countries and peoples in the Baltic Sea area to strengthen networks for cooperation in this region. A great deal has already been done to this end. A system of Baltic networks will help promote solidarity throughout the continent. I am sure that Baltic Sea cooperation will gain a new substance specifically through the enlargement of the European Union. It is of great importance that the Commission of the European Union has already started preparing a special Baltic programme. The EU is thereby facing the challenge of northward enlargement of the Union.

In order to achieve a well-functioning Baltic Sea cooperation, it is important for the Baltic countries to establish smooth forms of cooperation between them, already being under process. The same applies to the countries in the southern part of the Baltic Sea region. The Nordic countries have a well-established tradition and long experience of their own successful cooperation to offer the Baltic Sea region as a model.

The transition following the end of the division of Europe is, of course, still going on in the Baltic countries. On the short term, it is particularly important for the civic societies of the region to gain in strength, thus stabilizing the political life. It would also be beneficial for these countries' international standing if their relations with Russia could rapidly be developed to a good neighbourly footing. This is provided by the withdrawal of all foreign troops from their territories which ought to happen by the end of August this year.

We do not want to give our Estonian brothers and sisters advice. We admire your courage and determination. Your struggle for independence is an honourable chapter in the new history of Europe.

We remember your unprejudiced environmental movement, the dramatic power of your Song Festivals, and finally your resolute defence of your political and national rights against those threatening with force.

Presently, a process of national reconciliation has begun. In the early days of our independence this proved to be a demanding challenge for Finland, too.

However, we can show from our own history - although our experience can by no means be compared with Estonia - that coexistence between different languages and social groupings has been an enriching experience for us. Thus Finland is a multicultural society, a society which does not offer fertile soil for extreme forms of national fanaticism.

We are convinced that here in Estonia solutions to the problem of its Russian speaking population will be found, respecting the principles of the new Europe. Everyone must show understanding of history and cast aside bitterness, as difficult as it may be.

Ladies and gentlemen:

It is extremely encouraging that economic conditions in Estonia and the other Baltic countries are taking a positive direction, even at the present stage of transition. Problems have been enormous. Now, however, foreign investment and capital have provided a good basis for economic initiative here in the Baltic countries. Finnish companies have been among the earliest investors.

I am convinced that this path will also help enhancing employment in Finland, because the companies investing here in Estonia are also strengthening their competitiveness in general.

Estonia is by far the most significant of our trade partners in the Baltic group. Finland is also an important trade partner for Estonia. At the moment, we account for about 30% of your foreign trade. Trade between our two countries is showing constant growth. It is particularly desirable for the Baltic countries to rapidly conclude free trade agreements and thereafter associate agreements with the European Union. Such agreements are not only important economically, but have also considerable political significance. They provide a basis for further steps marking the course forsebsequent closer integration with the EU.

In various connections, Estonian leaders have ventured to predict that Estonia will meet the criteria for EU membership some time in the early years of the next century.

Finland supports EU membership for Estonia and the other Baltic countries at the earliest possible moment.

Ladies and gentlemen:

The most important condition for European integration is strengthening of security. Here in Estonia, no one needs to be reminded of this fact. The security pattern on our continent is presently beginning to take an encouraging course. Though so far, since the end of the Cold War, no comprehensive new security system has been created.

One has to be careful when predicting the future of the diverse developments going on in Europe. We face a major task in creating a European security area in which threatening with force has been eliminated when building relations between countries.

Fortunately, we have access to several means and institutions that we can utilize and develop to strengthen our common security. The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, created during the Cold War has proved its usefulness also after the fall of the division of Europe. It provides a framework for a durable European security system. The CSCE ties both the stable European countries and the less stable countries in transition together with the United States and Canada.

Events in the former Yugoslavia have shamefully demonstrated our lacking ability to create stability and security on our continent. We, however, have to take a longer view and seize the historic opportunity that the new situation in Europe offers.

We have to be active in strengthening collective security on our continent. In this activity, the CSCE provides both a model and a point of departure. The ability and standing of other institutions largely depend on the CSCE and on its credibility.

In addition to the CSCE other important components in the European security structure are a dialogue between military organizations and their cooperation through the Partnership for Peace programme.

New patterns for strengthening of security are being devised both in Western Europe and in the CIS countries. However, it is essential to consider European security as a single entity, seen from the point of view of mutual security.

The CSCE is our best guarantee for no single country being isolated. The Cold War began when security was searched through isolation, by erecting fences and walls.

The position of countries in the international community is no more dictated by military strength, but as a result of their technological and economic potential. Ultimately, the security of our continent will be best ensured by equal and constant reinforcement of economic and political integration. The enlargement of the EU is thus the key element on the way to secure and stable Europe.

Finland is making a historic decision about EU membership. On October 16, its citizens will either accept or reject membership in an advisory referendum. I am of the firm belief that a clear majority will support our membership.

An expanding EU is also a guarantee for us to gain more resources for the development of the countries in transition in the Baltic Sea region. The accession of the three Nordic countries to the EU will ensure that the Union acquires a sustained northern dimension. At the same time, unprecedented opportunities are being created for including Russia more closely in the integration process. Without Russia's contribution and involvement, future development will inevitably be only partial.

My own view is that the city of St Petersburg and the Baltic Sea region could then become one of the focal points of our continent, let us call it the 'green northern zone' of Europe.

This prospect, too, should convince us of the need for the major traffic projects involving both the Via Baltica and major rail and road links in southern Finland, from Turku to St Petersburg.

However, I have no desire to create illusions about the future of Europe. The EU is equally going through a period of profound internal change. The economic situation is difficult in many of its member states, reflecting rising scepticism about integration.

We Europeans must, however, overcome this psychological depression; we must create new preconditions for prosperity amid tough competition in the world economy.

Europe is irrevocably turning from a continent dominated by great powers to a continent of cooperation. There are no large or small countries in this Europe, just countries able to cooperate and those unable to do so. Fortunately, the latter ones are becoming extinct.

Ladies and gentlemen:

We are emerging from an era marked by power politics, confrontation between the superpowers and blind faith in great ideologies.

The world community is in transition. At the same time, the great ideologies have lost their appeal. It is Europe's role to ensure that, amid this worldwide transition, freedom, democracy and social responsibility prevent the return of chauvinism and dominating ideologies as the forces ruling societies.

Today, small nations, their capacity for cooperation and their creative contribution are important factors in the development of the new Europe. In this process, Finland and Estonia are turning out of their solitary paths into the mainstream of unity and solidarity.