Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the opening of the 2003 session of Eduskunta 26.3.2003

Finland has elected the 26th Eduskunta. I congratulate all of the successful candidates. Let us be thankful for the trust that the people have placed in democracy.

Traditionally, a new Government must be chosen after a general election. According to the new Constitution, the Eduskunta must now set about assembling a functioning coalition base and a programme for government. On the basis of the outcome of negotiations between the parliamentary groups and having heard the Speaker, I shall, in accordance with the Constitution, inform the Eduskunta of the nominee for Prime Minister. This candidate will be elected to the post if he or she gains more than half of the votes cast in an open ballot in the Eduskunta.

A prerequisite for observance of the letter and spirit of the Constitution is that representatives of the highest organs of state are firm and legal, but also capable of cooperation. For my part, I am prepared to declare already now that I want good cooperation with the Prime Minister whom the Eduskunta elects and a Government that enjoys the confidence of the legislature.

The new Eduskunta is beginning its work at a time when the prevailing international situation is exceptionally grave. A US-led coalition has commenced military operations in Iraq. We do not yet know where this will lead and how many victims the war will claim. I hope the war ends as soon as possible.

Finland's starting point has always been that the primary responsibility for international peace and security is vested in the UN Security Council. Military operations should not be launched without its authorisation.

Many experts in the field are of the opinion that the military actions being taken by the United States and its allies are not in accordance with international law. It is true, however, that some experts have expressed opposite interpretations. Public opinion both in Finland and elsewhere in Europe is strongly opposed to the war.

Despite its disagreement on other issues relating to Iraq, last week's European Union summit unanimously underscored the role of the United Nations both in resolving the conflict in Iraq and in the aftermath of the war. The UN is the centre of the democratic international system.

It has become clearly obvious in the past few months that, although a common foreign and security policy is a goal of the European Union, in practice the member states hold strongly different opinions and adhering to these is felt to be more important than the Union's unity.

I believe this fact must be recognised. Revising the rules on EU decision making is not a miracle cure, but efforts to accomplish a new common foreign and security policy must be channelled through above all genuine agreement on contents and practical cooperation. I hope we can find the right pace at the EU Convention and the Intergovernmental Conference that follows it. The Eduskunta now beginning its term will have its say in this work to shape the future of the whole of Europe.

The state of the Finnish economy is largely bound to the international situation. Growth in the world economy has been slow and prospects are unstable. Thanks to a well-managed economic policy, we have moderate prospects even in the present circumstances of providing employment and guaranteeing people's other wellbeing.

Promoting the welfare of the Finns presupposes, in addition to national policy, full participation in collective EU measures. Managing the economy and employment is part of our European strategy, as unanimously stated at last week's Brussels summit.

Promoting employment is not just on the Finnish or European agenda, but is also a central means of reducing poverty and marginalisation in developing countries.

Every country bears the primary responsibility for its own development. Without a national commitment to development and without concrete measures to promote it, there will be no lessening of poverty. Donors and international organisations can support these national measures.

Finland is committed to the goals of the UN Millennium Summit. I am pleased that also development cooperation and international solidarity were among the themes raised in the election debate. There has been a growing understanding that this is right not only from the point of view of people in distress, but also with our own future in mind. The UN and its special agencies need all of our support in order to achieve a more humane globalisation.

Democracy and respect for human rights and the rule or law are the basic elements of a modern society. They are vigorously alive in Finnish society. Their importance will grow even further in a changing world at a time of uncertainty and I hope for cooperation to strengthen them.

Esteemed Speaker,
Distinguished Representatives of the Finnish People,

Your future work will be full of challenges. I wish the new Eduskunta success in its work for the good of the Finnish people and hereby declare the 2003 session opened.