I have the great pleasure to be present today at the official inauguration of the old and new building that

is our Embassy in Tallinn. The house is complete. Years of planning and two years of construction have

been done. The magnificent result is here for everyone to see.

About a millennium ago on the site where we are now standing there was a defensive tower, first of

wood and later of stone. In fact, the shape of this room reflects the ground plan of that tower. Even

before that there was life on this site, as archaeological reports and artefacts in the Embassy's own

museum attest. It is an extraordinary feeling to be on this spot and feel the events of many centuries

flowing past.

This house and those that have occupied this site before it could tell many a tale. The building has

witnessed Baron von Uexküll's parties and the ambassadors' receptions, it has suffered destruction and

indifference, but today its beauty has been restored. The crystal chandeliers have been lit again. The

spirit of the house has returned.

Finland first moved into this building in 1923, as a tenant in the premises on the Pikk Jalg side where

the Consulate is nowadays housed. The landlord was Konstantin Päts. Already in 1926 a decision was

taken to buy the building and the Embassy moved into the premises where we now are. Our eminent

former landlord remained resident in the oldest wing of the building. Records in the archives of our

Ministry for Foreign Affairs show that the argument presented in support of the decision to buy the

building was Estonia's importance to Finland. The view was that Finland should have proper premises

so as to ensure that our relations were looked after in an appropriate fashion. However, the decision to go

ahead with the purchase was not easy to arrive at in those troubled times. Today, we can but admire the

farsightedness of those who made the decision.

For Finns this building is in many ways a symbol of the continuity of the Estonian statehood and the

Finnish-Estonian relations. President Päts and the Finnish Embassy lived under the same roof. The

Embassy was opened and closed again. It was almost destroyed and rebuilt. Relations between Finland

and Estonia have followed the course of history. Although for decades political contacts were impossible,

the special bond between us was enduring; just like this building. Finland has returned to Toompea, the

Finnish Embassy has come back home.

The Embassy's tasks have changed considerably in the course of the decades. New tasks and new

challenges constantly confront us. Our accession to the EU and this autumn's acting presidency in the

Baltic States have brought a completely new perspective on the relationship between Finland and

Estonia. Alongside our deep bilateral contacts, a broader pan-European view, larger totalities and

longer-range planning have entered the picture. When Estonia herself becomes an EU member, our

relations will once again assume a new form. We hope that it will be soon.

We have today discussed several mutually interesting themes with President Meri. Our common goal is

peace and stability in our region.

Although the Embassy's work has changed in content, one basic task has remained unchanged

throughout the decades: that of looking after personal relations by means of receptions and similar

functions. We have now seen the setting in which Ambassador and Mrs. Oinonen will begin performing

their duties. It is a magnificent setting, but also a challenging one.

I wish to thank all those who have restored the beauty of this building: the architects, the builders, the

Estonian artisans and the interior decorators. I wish the building and all who work in it the best of

success and good fortune. I am convinced that this building and the symbolism of its past will find a

worthy role also in the future.