It gives me great pleasure to respond to the kind words that President Robinson has just addressed to my wife and myself and to the Finnish delegation. We are mindful of the honour bestowed upon us in having been invited to this magnificent State Dinner at Dublin Castle.

These walls can tell us about your history from centuries gone by as well as memories from more modern days when you fought for your freedom. Both of our countries had to struggle for their independence during this century. Our histories also contain many other points of geographical, political, economic and cultural similarity.

Obviously there are differences as well, but Finns and Irish seem to get along well with each other wherever they meet in the world. And I am especially happy with the fact that I am the first President of Finland who is making a State Visit to the Emerald Isle.

In the accession negotiations with the European Union as well as during our first sixteen months as a member, Finland enjoyed full support from the Irish side. I think it is most appropriate to avail myself of this august occasion here in Dublin Castle to thank the Government and people of Ireland for this support.

The Finnish referendum in October 1994 and the opinion polls conducted since then showed that a clear majority of voters were in favour of membership and remain so. We have done our best to learn the rules of the game, and I think we are ready, willing and able to take part in forming and contributing to the future of Europe.

Ireland has been a member since 1973. Consequently, with all that experience you certainly possess a lot of expertise on how to be an effective and useful member. Finland and Ireland share to a large extent similar interests and aspirations in foreign policy. It is a natural thing for us to work together in EU and other international fora. Both countries depend heavily on free and fair trade and stay outside military alliances, but at the same time are actively participating in peacekeeping operations.

First and foremost we are looking forward to close cooperation during the Intergovernmental Conference, where the role of the Irish Presidency will be crucial for a positive outcome. It is now most important to bring Europe forward, despite the fact that there are many obstacles and difficulties to overcome. Negotiating skills and constructive ideas are needed to give a new impetus to the European idea.

The Union needs a positive outcome of the IGC. Progress is required on the intricate and complex questions of enlargement, employment, the EMU, and institutional reforms. In Finland we are putting a special emphasis on the question of unemployment, a problem of great common concern in EU countries. We are struggling against an unacceptably high degree of joblessness. This is not only an economic problem, but even more a human tragedy for the unemployed and their families.

However, we should not forget the suffering and need in the world outside EU. I know very well that you, President Robinson, have shown a great deal of interest in and empathy for the African continent, where many peoples are living in harsh conditions. I have myself been dealing with African questions for the greater part of professional carrier. Therefore I am very glad to have an opportunity to discuss these questions of mutual interest with you.

Our bilateral relations are excellent. Cooperation at all levels, cultural exchange, trade and tourism is developing favourably. Finnish enterprises are establishing themselves in Ireland: the Finnish-owned Tara Mines in Navan make a significant contribution to Irish exports. Around six thousand Finns visit Ireland annually and approximately three thousand Irish people travel to Finland. All that is good, but there is room for improvement.

The friendship associations and business clubs in both countries are active and make a valuable contribution to increasing business and individual contacts. This voluntary work is something that cannot be measured in financial terms, but it helps to bring our peoples closer to each other in a positive and practical way.

Cultural links between our countries have increased considerably. That is very much in evidence both here and in Finland: in music, architecture, painting and sculpture, film and literature. I am happy to have this opportunity to congratulate Ireland on the latest Nobel Prize in literature. Seamus Heaney visited Helsinki last summer and appeared atthe Helsinki Festival. A collection of his poems was recently published in Finnish. Perhaps the most noteworthy achievement in the field of Finnish-Irish cultural relations in modern times has to be attributed to Pentti Saarikoski, who translated James Joyce into Finnish.

Among many other things Ireland is also well known for her great wealth in music. The Irish Music Festival has been touring Finnish cities each autumn for a number of years. This event has certainly brought broad layers of the Finnish population in contact with Irish music, Irish performers and Irish culture in general.

I am also very pleased to note that the Irish language has been taught for some twenty years at the University of Helsinki. A scholarly Society for Celtic Studies has been established and has held several meetings. To date, the most important of these took place in Helsinki in February 1995. Most of the papers prepared at that symposium will be included in a volume to be published very soon with the title Celtic Helsingiensia. Its publisher is the elder of Finland's two academies of scientists and scholars: the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters. Likewise, it gives me much satisfaction to know that some Irish academics have gone to the trouble of studying the Finnish language, in order to learn more about Finland and her achievements in the fields of folklore, history and linguistics.

I thank you warmly for inviting us to visit Ireland; for the hospitality that you and others are according to us; and for the excellent programme that you have arranged for us during this week. My wife and I are most grateful and very much looking forward to our discussions and experiences here in Dublin as well as to unique sceneries of Galway and Connemara.

Allow me to propose a toast to the President of Ireland and Mr. Robinson. Slainte!