I congratulate the Nordic Council of Ministers for choosing an exhibition on Nordic explorers as Scandinavia's calling card in Europe. It is a decision that will reinforce the positive image of the Nordic countries. Opening at major cultural institutions in numerous countries, the Nordic Explorers exhibition will make an important contribution to the cultural life of these countries. As a Finn, I am proud that the Finnish science centre Heureka was made responsible for producing the exhibition. I wish it every success!

We Nordic countries must present a united front and strengthen our positive image in all European countries, especially within the European Union. The fact that Finland, Sweden and Denmark are Union members, while Iceland and Norway are not, has made this task a greater challenge than before. Providing information on the history of the Nordic countries, on life in the North and on Nordic values will help to dispel prejudices and misconceptions, and foster mutual understanding of our cultures. Moreover, it will reinforce the foundation of new, more comprehensive European cooperation.

In our experience, we have always absorbed influences from the cultural centres of Europe. The Nordic countries' influence on Continental Europe is not as self-evident, however. If we wish to give something to the rest of the world, we must first ensure that what we are offering has sufficient value. After that, hard work is still needed to get our message across. The Nordic countries have much to offer the world: the ideal of the constitutionally governed Nordic welfare state and the Nordic brand of democracy, centring on the individual.

In congratulating the Nordic Council of Ministers on their choice, I am confident that the topic will generate interest in the Nordic countries and strengthen their positive image in the European cities that are to host the exhibition. Making Nordic cultural cooperation known will promote understanding of foreign cultures in Europe. Such mutual understanding and respect are the foundation of peace and cooperation on our continent.

Nordic cooperation is an established tradition that has always had the support of the public at large. Most of this cooperation takes place at an unofficial level, between NGOs and by means of other direct contact between people. Thanks to our shared cultural heritage, similar social systems and linguistic ties, Nordic cooperation has come naturally, and is both easy and informal. As such, it sets a good example generally. Even in the context of EU membership, Nordic cooperation has intrinsic value. I welcome all reinforcement of the Nordic identity, and hope that this exhibition will promote it still further.

History is made by people and ideas crossing frontiers. Today, it is especially important that frontiers do not constrain new knowledge. The great explorers of the past crossed both external and internal frontiers: their mission often called for considerable personal sacrifice. Succeeding on an expedition depended on overcoming great dangers and obstacles, and certainly on courage and self-discipline. Not all expeditions ended happily, as we know.

Since the 18th century, Nordic explorers have worked in the Linnéan tradition, in pursuit of useful information or commercial value. Many of them were scientists who gathered samples and data. The work of Dr Thor Heyerdahl is a fine example of the tradition of Nordic exploration that lives on to our own day.

It is now my pleasure to declare the Nordic Explorers exhibition open.