Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at a public occasion in Zagreb on 2 September 2009

It is a pleasure to visit Croatia. Your country's development is being followed with great interest in Finland. In recent years, Croatia has intensified her European and transatlantic cooperation. Membership in NATO began in April, and Croatia has made good progress in her negotiations for membership of the European Union.

European countries are linked by shared values: democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Finland wants to promote these values actively in the European Union, the Council of Europe and other international organizations.

A well-functioning EU has a key role for European stability, democracy and prosperity. A deepening and enlarging Union is also in a better position to meet global challenges such as the global economic crisis and climate change.

Finland supports the enlargement of the EU provided that new member states meet the agreed criteria.

Croatia started accession negotiations with the European Union in October 2005. We hope that your country’s EU accession will take place as soon as possible.

Croatia has advanced well in carrying out the reforms that are required for EU membership. Reform of economic structures, as well as the administration and the court system is crucial. These reforms will also benefit Croatia and its people.

An important political condition for Croatia's accession to the EU is full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). It is a question of the rule of law as well as transparency in dealing with the past.

Good neighbourly relations are an important dimension of EU membership. Conflicts must be resolved through open dialogue. It is important for Croatia and Slovenia to settle their border dispute in a constructive European spirit.

Regional cooperation has an increasing role throughout Europe. In Finland, we have a long tradition of Nordic cooperation, which covers governments, parliaments and civil society. It is practical and down to earth. Finland also participates in cooperation among all the states in the Baltic Sea region. One goal of this cooperation is to improve environmental protection of the Baltic Sea. I believe that the Nordic and the Baltic Sea experience could also serve as an example in southeastern Europe.

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Both Finland and Croatia actively participate in international cooperation. Croatia is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, which is a remarkable recognition of Croatia's international role. Finland is a candidate for the UN Security Council for the term 2013-2014.

The Council of Europe, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, has played a key role in promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in our continent. Protecting the rights of minorities is an important part of the Council's work. As part of the Council of Europe, the European Roma and Travellers Forum brings together Roma people from all over Europe.

The expertise of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has helped European countries in crisis management and in building democracy. The OSCE has also made a valuable contribution here in Croatia.

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The current economic crisis affects the economies of most of the countries in the world, including Finland and Croatia. Both globally and nationally we must strive to support people who are in the most vulnerable position.

The economic crisis must not delay action against climate change. The future of humankind goes hand in hand with the wellbeing of nature. All nations must work together in order to achieve a comprehensive global climate agreement at the UN Copenhagen Climate Conference in December.

It is important to include a strong gender perspective in all matters related to climate change. Women should be able to participate fully in climate negotiations. Long-term work to prevent a climate crisis can only succeed when women are actively involved. Women take care of everyday life and they carry the main responsibility for educating the next generation in environmental issues.

Our two countries participate in international crisis management to promote peace, security and human rights. Women and girls are especially at risk in crisis situations. Their human rights are often brutally and systematically violated. Many women are raped and abused in crisis situations. I have proposed that systematic rape in armed conflict should be classified as a forbidden weapon of war.

Later this month, Finland and Liberia will together organize an event in connection with the UN General Assembly on women’s participation in mitigating climate change and on the role of women in conflict situations.

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Bilateral relations between Finland and Croatia are good and without problems. The exchange of visits at different levels has increased. There is an active friendship group in both parliaments, and Finnish MPs will visit Croatia in the near future. Our trade relations have also developed favourably in recent years.

Finland is known in Croatia as a modern Nordic welfare society. Finnish architecture and design have traditionally many friends in Croatia. Recently Finnish cinema, music and other art forms have also drawn attention here. Finns, on the other hand, think of Croatia above all as a beautiful holiday destination, a country of culture and as the home of outstanding athletes.

I believe that we can continue to expand the good cooperation that exists between Finland and Croatia and together contribute to the construction of Europe.