SPEECH BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC MARTTI AHTISAARI AT A DINNER IN HONOUR OF THE PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA

ON 29.5.1998

Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I should like to begin by reiterating my warmest words of welcome to you. In the same conjunction, let me thank you once again for the hospitality that you extended both to my wife and myself and to our party during our visit to Argentina just over a year ago. We retained permanent, pleasant memories of your beautiful country, especially of the great metropolis of Buenos Aires and of Mendoza, that home of superb wines in the foothills of the Andes.

Mr. President,

Your visit is historic. You are the first Argentinean head of state to come to Finland. The date of your visit is significant and deserves celebration also for the reason that this month has seen the 80^th anniversary of Argentina's recognition (on 11.5.1918) of the Republic of Finland, which had declared independence only six months earlier. Relations between our countries have been developing vigorously ever since, largely thanks to the impetus that trade has given this process. Our first envoy in Latin America took up his posting in Buenos Aires in 1929. There have been no problems in our relations, but never before have the prospects that they offer been better than at this moment.

Mr. President,

I assure you that Finland wants to strengthen and diversify her already good relations with Argentina. As a member of the EU, we also have the goal of developing cooperation between our regions.

When we consider ways of developing our bilateral relations, we must remember that what is involved is long-term work that demands effort and resources. This state visit that you are now paying us and mine to Argentina last year have raised relations between our countries to a new phase of greater closeness. Both governments have opened the door for cooperation. We have together created opportunities for cooperation and a network of relations that are more comprehensive and diversified than in the past.

In the period of slightly over three years since we joined the European Union, Finland has become more closely committed to the development of European cooperation. Now, as the only Nordic country to do so, we are adopting the single European currency. Our membership of the core group of European Union countries encourages us to display activity and initiative in strengthening international cooperation, peace and security. In this respect, our goals are the same as Argentina's.

Significant progress has been achieved in Argentina during your term. Balancing the economy and opening it up to foreign investors are truly important milestones on the road of reform. Argentina has likewise been able to make major achievements in foreign policy under your leadership. As an example, I could mention your valuable contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.

In much the same way as Finland has done in the context of the European Union, Argentina has actively striven to promote regional integration in the framework of Mercosur. Since you now hold the presidency of the organisation, your role in promoting its goals is central. Your proposal that the adoption of a single currency within the Mercosur area should be set as a goal is an example of the all-round initiative that you have been demonstrating.

Finland's turn to assume the Presidency of the European Union in just over a year from now will happen at a significant point in time. Our period at the helm will be the last six months of the millennium and several questions of far-reaching consequence will be coming onto the EU agenda. One that springs to mind is regional cooperation between the EU and Mercosur. Finland will, as she has done up to now, make an active contribution to developing these relations in accordance with the Madrid framework agreement and implementing the decisions reached at the Rio summit.

The benefits accruing from integration will not be confined to the level of states. More and more companies both in Finland and Argentina have realised what considerable commercial opportunities the EU and Mercosur markets offer them. Seminars for companies are one indication of the extensive commercial interest that has been generated. They have been arranged both during my visit to Buenos Aires and today, with yourself present, here in Helsinki at the Kalastajatorppa Hotel. Seminars for companies have also been arranged in conjunction with several ministerial visits and as separate events, such as Export-AR in autumn 1996.

Finland can offer world-class technology in several industrial sectors that are important to Argentina. In addition to the area in which we have traditionally been strong, forest products, these include several branches of new technology. Telecommunications, energy, mining and environmental protection are examples of fields in which our companies possess outstanding know-how. Argentina likewise has a lot to offer Finland. What companies must do is explore the opportunities for cooperation that are opening up, seize them as they present themselves, and demonstrate determination and persistence in carrying projects through, also when it takes long-term work. Many opportunities are yet to be availed of.

Mr. President,

On my visit to Argentina I became convinced that there is a unique bond between our countries: tango music. It demonstrates a synergy of inspiration, creativity and of the spirit between Finland and Argentina, one that overcomes geographical distance. The tango is a shared substrate for the growth of cultural ties between our countries. Let us make a special effort to ensure the all-round development of those ties.

* * *

With these thoughts, Mr. President, let me propose a toast to the good fortune and success of the Argentinean people, closer relations between our countries, and to your own health.