ADDRESS OF GREETING BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND, MR. MARTTI AHTISAARI AT THE LIVONIAN ASSOCIATION'S SUMMER FESTIVAL IN MAZIRBE, LATVIA ON 1.8.1998

On my own and my wife's behalf I thank you warmly for this opportunity to attend the Livonian Association's traditional summer festival here in Mazirbe on the Livonian Coast. For me personally it is a great honour to be able to participate in this celebration as the first President of Finland ever to do so.

Links between the Finns and the Livonians came into being in the mid-19^th century, when a national awakening in Finland prompted an interest in the languages and cultures established when Anders Johan Sjögren, a Finnish member of the Imperial Academy of of kindred Baltic-Finnish peoples. The first contact was Science in St. Petersburg, visited the collected a considerable body of linguistic and ethnographic material. Sjögren urged the Livonians in 1846 and 1852. He Livonians themselves to record and preserve their own cultural Contacts were later continued around the turn of the century by Professor E N Setälä and heritage. in the1920s by Professor Lauri Kettunen.

^{In the period between the world wars, cooperation increased and broadened to include new areas. Kinship societies in Finland - and also in Estonia and Hungary - supported Livonian culture: programmes were launched to train young Livonians as teachers and pastors, education in the Livonian language began, a Livonian-language magazine appeared and also literature was published in the language. Two achievements that were important and remain equally visible today were the establishment of the Livonian Association in 1923 and the construction of this beautiful Livonia House. The building, designed by the Finnish architect Erkki Huttunen, was officially opened on 6 August 1939, almost exactly 59 years ago. The funds were collected not only in Latvia, but also in Finland, Estonia and Hungary.}

^{The Second World War severed links between the Finns and the Livonians for half a century. Even awareness of the existence of a kindred people called the Livonians was disappearing from the Finns' minds. Only since the restoration of Latvia's independence has it been possible to create these links again. And only since the restoration of Latvia's independence has the truth emerged about the distress into which the Livonian people, the Livonian language and Livonian culture were plunged during the Soviet period.}

^{My wife and I have now had the opportunity to hear from Livonian representatives about the situation today. Only a handful of people now speak Livonian as their mother tongue, but interest in the language among young people is reviving. At least its preservation as a spoken, living language is now assured. This festival and the cultural events associated with it are in turn a strong indication of the vitality of Livonian culture. I am particularly pleased at the liveliness of interaction between Finnish and Livonian organisations and private persons. I thank you, President Ulmanis and through you the Government of Latvia for all of the support and sympathy that this small language and culture have been given.}

^***

^{The most important goal of Latvian foreign policy is integration into European structures and accession to membership of the European Union. Through EU membership Latvia can seek her proper place among the peoples of Europe and appropriately define her relationship to common European values. Finland strongly supports EU enlargement and is doing everything she can to ensure that Latvia will accede immediately she meets the stipulated conditions for membership. Enlargement of the EU will accelerate progress towards the eventual disappearance of the old division of Europe. It provides new opportunities to promote and strengthen positive regional, economic and social development as well as stability in an overall European framework.}

^{Latvia's positive social development in the still-brief period of renewed independence has been considerable. What is of central importance is that Latvia's democratic institutions and economy have strengthened. Latvia's achievements can be considered all the more remarkable when one takes into consideration the difficulties and challenges in the midst of which the Latvians began this work.}

^{The best guarantee of continuing positive development is a functioning and united civil society. Indeed, Latvia's progress towards internal unification of her society and healing old wounds is being followed with interest in Finland. The Latvian parliament has adopted a new citizenship law, which will make it possible for segments of the population other than the Latvian to integrate faster. Hopefully the law will soon enter into force. Neither Finland nor the EU has any other demands with regard to the citizenship law. The Government of Latvia has begun drafting a national programme to speed up integration. We hope this process will lead to the best possible result.}

^***

^{Latvia still faces many difficult political choices and decisions. It is fortunate for Latvia that your country's leading figures are both willing and able to assess matters impartially from different perspectives. The Finns have always respected responsibility and straightforwardness.}

^{I wish you, Mr. President, and your distinguished wife as well as all of the people of Latvia happiness and success. On my own and my wife's behalf I thank every one who has contributed to it for the kindness and hospitality that we have been given here in Mazirbe.}