Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at the Euroatlantic Partnership Council Summit of Heads of State and Government in Prague 22.11.2002

I extend my warm thanks to President Havel and the Government of the Czech Republic for their invitation and making the practical arrangements for this historic meeting in Prague.

NATO has just made the decision to invite seven applicant countries, among them our neighbours Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, to begin negotiations for membership. Finland wishes to congratulate the forthcoming new members and NATO.

This historic step confirms the alliance’s open door policy in Europe. Simultaneously the European Union is preparing for enlargement. These two separate but parallel enlargement processes will build a more stable and secure Europe.

Finland hopes that the EU and NATO are able to agree on their mutual co-operation without delay. While emphasising the independent roles of the EU and NATO it will be necessary to avoid the construction of double military systems in Europe. The European Union is shouldering its responsibility for both European and international security, but is nevertheless first and foremost a civilian power. Any major military crisis-management operations undertaken by the Union must be done in close cooperation with NATO.

Finland values Partnership for Peace cooperation with NATO. Due to new kinds of threats and challenges, especially international terrorism, also new forms of cooperation must be found. Finland will contribute to developing partnership activities further and will continue to participate actively in crisis management in the Balkans.

The unanimously adopted UN Security Council resolution 1141 concerning Iraq is an important demonstration of the strength of international cooperation. Iraq must unconditionally comply with the international community’s demands. It would be in everyone’s interests to avert peacefully the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction. From everyone’s point of view, military actions would be the means of last resort in maintaining international peace and security.

Our common goal is to strengthen security, in all its aspects, in Europe and everywhere in the world. In this endeavour, we need concerted efforts of all nations and all organizations.