SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,
MR. MARTTI AHTISAARI AT A WELCOMING CEREMONY
IN MEXICO CITY ON 22.2.1999

I thank you, Señor Presidente, for the warm words of welcome that you have addressed to my wife, myself and the delegation accompanying. I also greatly appreciate the kind sentiments that you have expressed concerning our country and people.

Mexico is known in Finland as a colourful and fascinating country, one of the great assets of which is its ethnic and cultural diversity. The advanced cultures developed by the Aztecs, the Maya and many other Indian peoples in Mesoamerica are undeniably among the most glorious achievements of early human civilisation. They have not only enriched this country, but left their mark on the development of all humankind.

Mexico is a bridge between North and Latin America, but also has strong historical ties with Europe. Under your leadership, Señor Presidente, Mexico is working hard to develop these ties, especially with the European Union. Finland strongly supports you in this. When we hold the Presidency of the European Union in the second semester of this year, we shall do our best to bring about the signing of the free-trade agreement now being negotiated. The agreement is important to both parties. I believe that the negotiations will soon be brought to a successful conclusion and that the result will be a balanced agreement benefiting both parties, and which will greatly stimulate trade and economic cooperation between us.

Finland’s appreciates the active and constructive role that Mexico has been playing in strengthening security and stability in the world. During my international career, I had the opportunity to follow, personally and from close at hand, your country’s constructive efforts to promote intergovernmental and regional cooperation as well as to strengthen the United Nations. The Latin American nuclear-free zone is only one of the many concrete examples of this that I could mention. Your work has always been guided by that immortal truth uttered by your national hero Benito Juárez: "Between both nations and individuals, respecting the rights of others is peace."

The geographical distance between Finland and Mexico has not prevented our countries and peoples from establishing ties of friendship and cooperation. Our treaty of friendship was signed over 60 years ago, and this autumn it will be half a century since we established diplomatic relations.

Many historical and cultural factors unite Finland and Mexico. Like Mexico, Finland has had to defend her freedom and independence by force of arms and we have had to make great sacrifices. Like the Mexican people, we have a firm belief in democracy, respect for the rights of citizens and a social system founded on justice. In the international arena, our countries are working constructively to strengthen the United Nations, implement disarmament and liberalise international trade.

Mine is the first state visit by a President of Finland to Mexico. I firmly believe that the discussions we have during it and the agreements we shall be signing will further strengthen friendship and cooperation between our peoples. We have a duty to harness all of the great potential that exists in the economies of both countries, in trade between us and, of course, in the sphere of culture. I know that there is plenty of political will in both countries to seize that potential.

I am accompanied on this visit by a large delegation of industrial and business leaders, who will be having several conferences with their Mexican counterparts.

Once again, Señor Presidente, my heartfelt thanks for your very warm welcome.