REMARKS BY MR. MARTTI AHTISAARI, PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF FINLAND
AT THE SUMMIT OF THE EURO-ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL
Washington, DC, April 25, 1999
Half a century ago, the willingness of the United States to
engage itself, through the Marshall Plan and then NATO, in
the security of Europe, gave Europeans confidence in the future.
This support helped to set in motion a development which for over
five decades has brought unprecedented prosperity and
stability to the Western part of our continent. We the Nordic
countries greatly benefited from the Transatlantic link, and by
our own policies contributed to stability in Northern Europe.
NATOs mere existence in the past fifty years has helped to
preserve peace in Europe. It continues to provide for the
collective defence of its members and to project stability
far beyond its borders.
Today, democracy, rule of law and market economy are advancing in
Central and Eastern Europe. The European Union and NATO are in
the forefront of that great endeavour. The open-door policy of
the Alliance is in compliance with every country's right freely
to choose the means by which it safeguards its security.
The Alliances role is changing. It is increasingly an
organisation for crisis management and political consultations.
Finland appreciates the contribution of NATO to the international
security order based on the principles of the Charter of the
United Nations and of the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe.
The cooperative relationship between NATO and Russia must be
further developed, in spite of the current difficulties.
During its presidency of the European Union later this year
Finland is prepared to explore ways and means to develop the
Union's crisis management capacity on the basis of the Amsterdam
treaty.
The combination of bilateral and multilateral efforts
centred on the PfP and the EAPC is a good example of cooperation
which responds to the needs of an evolving security environment.
Partners contribute to the NATO-led military crisis management
and appreciate being included in the planning and
decision-making of operations.
In Kosovo the basic values of the Euro-Atlantic Community are in
danger. Violations of human rights are no longer an internal
affair of states. The international community must be able to act
accordingly. We deplore that the situation has led to the use of
force. The responsibility lies with the Yugoslav leadership.
When the conflict is over, broad cooperation is needed in order
to promote peace and prosperity in South-eastern Europe.
NATO at 50 is being challenged. The enduring security, stability
and prosperity of Europe depends on the unqualified respect for
the basic values that are shared by the Euro-Atlantic community
of countries. Finland is ready to do its part in our common
efforts.
As a Karelian by birth, I belong to the Finns who were displaced
as a result of World War II. As a consequence, I and people of my
generation want to build an undivided Europe and work for
peaceful solutions. These Summits pave the way for this.