Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the banquet for the state visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilkham Aliyev, 29 May 2008

(check against delivery)

My husband and I take great pleasure in once more welcoming you, Mr President and Mrs Aliyeva, to Finland. This is the first time that the President of Azerbaijan pays an official visit to Finland, and it highlights the excellent relations between our two countries. In 2005, we had the opportunity to enjoy your hospitality in Baku, the beautiful capital of Azerbaijan.

The capitals of both our countries are on the waterfront. The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest inland body of water, and our Baltic Sea is an inner sea and the second-largest body of brackish water in the world after the Black Sea. As we both know, seas do not separate people, they can bring people together. They form a natural link which can be a positive economic, cultural and environmental force. In Finland, we hope to see closer cooperation between countries in the Baltic Sea region, and we wish to exchange experiences with countries that are involved in various forms of regional cooperation.

I have had the opportunity to follow more closely the development of Azerbaijan since 1996, when I visited your country as Finland’s Foreign Minister in connection with the Minsk process. Your country has undergone rapid economic development in recent years, using the prosperity deriving from your natural resources to benefit your citizens and to promote sustainable development.

When we paid an official visit to Azerbaijan in 2005, there was a general election coming up in your country only a few weeks later. Your visit to Finland also takes place in an election year. We Finns value your efforts in the area of democratic reform. I trust that the positive trend will continue in the upcoming presidential elections and that international election observers are welcome to your country.

Finland holds the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, this year. In this context, you recently received a visit from our Minister for Foreign Affairs.

It is 33 years since the OSCE process began in Helsinki. The world now looks very different from what it was in 1975. Nevertheless, the fundamental principle of the Organization still remains relevant: respect for and implementation of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the freedom of speech are the key means to achieve political stability, security, economic growth and the well-being of citizens. As members of the Council of Europe, we are committed to the same fundamental values.

As holder of the Chairmanship of the OSCE, Finland is making every effort to help find a solution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. I believe that resolving this conflict would open up extensive new development potential throughout the southern Caucasus and in neighbouring areas. A positive outcome would increase the economic and political importance of the region. I hope that the parties will find the courage and the political will to reach a solution — making use of the Minsk process in this.

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In today’s globalised world, countries are increasingly dependent on one another. We must aim to make this mutual dependency a positive thing and to shape globalisation into a resource to promote ecologically sustainable development and social justice. The United Nations is a key multilateral cooperation forum for these efforts.

I believe that the welfare state model and investing in education and lifelong learning as well as in innovation are key factors behind Finland’s success. Several international studies have ranked Finland among the most competitive countries in the world, and our administration is often commended for being transparent and well functioning.

The EU Neighbourhood Policy is aimed at promoting stability, prosperity and well-being in the neighbouring countries of the European Union, and engaging these countries in closer cooperation with the Union, as well as among the neighbours themselves. Our goal of advancing relations between the Union and Azerbaijan made progress during Finland’s EU Presidency with the adoption of the Azerbaijan Action Plan.

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Finland and Azerbaijan used to belong to the same empire. Today, as independent countries, we belong to many of the same international organisations. Multilateral relations are important, of course. We are also interested in promoting and enhancing our bilateral relations. I hope that your visit will contribute to increased economic cooperation and trade between our two countries.

We could also do more in the area of cultural cooperation. The cultures of both countries have received influences from both East and West, and we both have a strong tradition of poetry, dance and music. For example, festivals of Azerbaijani films and music have been held in Finland.

Mr President, I would like to propose a toast to you and your wife, Mrs Aliyeva, to the happiness and prosperity of the people of Azerbaijan and to the good cooperation between our two countries.