REPLY BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND, MR. MARTTI AHTISAARI
TO AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY THE MAYOR OF MADRID
AT A RECEPTION IN THE CITY HALL ON 2.2.1999

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for the kind words and warm sentiments that you have expressed about my country. I appreciate the consideration and hospitality that the city of Madrid has shown at this function. I feel I am among friends.

I have been in Madrid several times before to attend important meetings taking place here. Now this state visit gives me the opportunity to become more closely acquainted with the city leaders, its officials and residents as well as with Madrid’s most outstanding sights and culture. Along with the high-level corporate delegation accompanying me, we shall also be meeting representatives of Spain’s dynamic business sector. I believe that Finland and Spain can substantially develop their mutual trade.

After Finland had joined the European Union in 1995, just over four years ago, our political and economic relations were further strengthened. Although our countries are far away from each other in the geographical sense, good transport links have brought us closer together, especially now that our national airlines are cooperating to provide daily non-stop flights. That facilitates contacts between businesspeople and also makes it easier for ordinary citizens to travel. No longer do we Finns fly only to the sunny beaches of Spain, but also to your country’s interesting and beautiful large cities. Madrid has become a fascinating travel destination for many Finns.

I see Madrid as a splendid example of how the new and the old can be successfully combined. Creations from various periods, such as the magnificent square ensemble around this City Hall, have been preserved in the city’s architecture. In the view of many - including Finns living here - Madrid is one of the best-managed and most enjoyable metropolises in the world.

In1992, when the Olympics were held in Barcelona and there was a world fair in Seville, Madrid was the Cultural Capital of Europe. Its heritage still lives on. Next year, the first of the new millennium, our capital Helsinki and eight other places - including Santiago de Compostela - will bear the title European City of Culture. We are carefully preparing for it and - knowing how long-standing and excellent cooperation links between Helsinki and Madrid are - we would be delighted to see large numbers of people from your city coming to get to know Helsinki and us Finns.

I wish you and your beautiful city good fortune and success.