SPEECH BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC MARTTI
AHTISAARI AT THE CEREMONIAL CLOSING OF
PARLIAMENT AT THE END OF ITS
1995-1999 TERM ON 16.3.1999
Like the three that preceded it, the Parliament now concluding
its work has been able to give its confidence to a Government
that has sat for the full term. That has facilitated systematic
work both in legislation and in decision-making concerning state
finances.
Finland fell into a difficult recession during the present
decade, but was gradually able to return to a path of stable
recovery. Our international position has decisively changed. In
this, the Parliament now concluding its work has been a bearer of
responsibility with a good capacity to cooperate.
One of the central legislative projects during the past term was
related to our constitutional reform, deliberation of which will
be a matter for the incoming Parliament.
The past four years were the first full parliamentary term for
the duration of which Finland was a member of the European Union.
The early stage of membership is over. Adjustment to collective
European decision-making and exercising influence through it have
gone well on the part of all branches of government.
This Parliament will also be remembered for having decided that
Finland would enter the third stage of Economic and Monetary
Union. In other respects, too, Parliament participated
significantly in national-level deliberation and decision-making
concerning policy on the European Union.
Like Finnish society in general, Parliament has advanced into an
era of more demanding internationalisation. In particular,
adjustment to EU decision-making is a major challenge. It is not
an esoteric science with a small circle of practitioners, but
rather a very practical way of improving the wellbeing of the
Finns in European cooperation.
It is essential that the European
Union and its institutions enjoy the complete trust of their
citizens.
The international environment in which we operate is in constant
flux. Change has at times been so rapid that it has tested the
limits of the ability of many segments of the population to adapt
to it. However, rapid growth in exports of advanced technology
products has made possible the present economic growth, which an
upswing in domestic demand is now supporting.
Russia is in a deep crisis and coping with it will require many
painful decisions on the part of the Russians themselves. The
country will also need outside support when it begins
implementing reforms. The development of the Russian Federation
into a functioning state will take time, and it is not without
risks.
The Baltic States have made rapid progress on their way to
meeting the criteria for membership of the European Union. It has
given us satisfaction to note that Russia has indicated a
willingness to resolve open questions concerning her border with
Estonia.
Our countrys internal security is being built to a growing
degree also with the help of international cooperation. The
extraordinary European Union summit in Tampere next autumn will
concentrate on just these questions. It must, however, be
remembered that the most important factor in security, a healthy
foundation under our society, is the result of decisions made
here in our own country.
The nature of crime has changed in the present decade. Violent
offences are being committed more and more often by young people,
who are themselves being excluded from society. Besides that, an
increasing proportion of crimes against property are committed in
order to obtain money for a daily dose of drugs.
Tighter control and stiffer penalties are often proposed as the
solution to these problems. However, if the matter were to remain
only at that, it would amount to no more than treating symptoms.
The causes themselves must be tackled. A prison is not a place
where the problems of young people are primarily solved. The
position of those under threat of exclusion must be improved
through concrete measures. Open care for persons addicted to
drugs and rehabilitation to restore them to a place in society
must be made considerably more effective.
The work that has been done in this decade to improve the state
of the economy and public finances has not been an end in itself,
nor must it be. Its purpose has been to safeguard and consolidate
the prosperity of the Finns. The people who suffered most from
recession are those who lost their job or company. Now that we
have entered a phase of steady growth, we must take care that the
fruits of labour are shared fairly between different regions and
people. Everyone in the country who is of working age and capable
of doing a job must be employed. There can be no receding from
this goal.
Recent years have been a period of demanding adjustment for
agriculture and rural areas. Unfortunately, prospects for the
foodstuffs industry have weakened. It is important that the
Government is committed to providing agriculture with full
compensation for the cuts that will be made under Agenda 2000. I
attach great value to the fact that a national consensus in
favour of safeguarding the future of agriculture and a living
countryside has strengthened.
Cooperation and a sense of common responsibility have been a
strength of the Finnish people in difficult times. Therefore it
is a cause of concern that now, when times are good, selfishness
and disregard for others seem to have increased. One of the most
important characteristics of a society enjoying long-term success
is that it takes care of less-fortunate people and regions that
are developing more slowly. Companies that look after all of
their employees are likewise those that ultimately achieve the
greatest success.
In the general election that takes place in a few days time
the voters will be deciding who to send to Parliament to
represent them for the coming term. One of the central hallmarks
of a functioning democracy is a high turnout at the polls. For
some, abstaining from voting is a conscious protest. However, it
is a fruitless and ineffectual way of protesting.
Recent polls have found that people are suspicious of political
decision-making and in some cases even reject it. Unless citizens
feel they can have an input into the management of collective
affairs, dissatisfaction could eventually poison the atmosphere
in society and erupt through other channels. Trust must be
restored. It must be shown that society can be changed and
wellbeing enhanced the democratic way, as we have managed to do
throughout the period that we have been an independent state.
Citizens must be able to know what kinds of alternatives they can
choose from. A discourse on values is a precondition for a
functioning democracy. Now it is up to the parties and candidates
conducting their election campaigns to present alternatives.
I thank Parliament for the work it has done for the nation and
declare this term concluded.