It is indeed a great pleasure for me and my wife as well as for the Finnish delegation that our hosts kindly added the western parts of Ireland and the beautiful County of Galway to our itinerary.

We know that these parts of the country have been inhabited since the dawn of history. We are well aware of your traditions as an important port serving not only the city of Galway, but also the whole country. We are also familiar with your history and traditions during the period when the Vikings sailed along these coasts, founding many cities, including Galway.

You later established close contacts with Spain and Portugal, while today you are actively furthering cooperation with the European continent. Many Irish people have travelled via Galway on their way to seek a more promising future on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The two days here will give us the opportunity to get to know the people who are running the city as well as its academic life and industry. I am especially interested in the successful measures you have taken to fight unemployment, which is unfortunately a persistent problem in Finland.

We are particularly looking forward to the opportunity to enjoy your unique scenery: the beauty of Connemara, the rugged landscape and impressive coastline, a boat trip on Lough Corrib and the spectacular sight of the Cliffs of Moher. Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle will both, I am sure, give us splendid insight into your history.

Despite the great distance between Helsinki and Galway, there is a warm feeling of mutual affinity and togetherness between the Finns and the Irish. I certainly hope that our visit will contribute to enhance contacts between our peoples.

I would also like to thank you warmly for the gracious gifts that you very kindly have bestowed on us and for which we are deeply grateful. I wish the city and the people of Galway a prosperous and happy future.