President Halonen at the summit of Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen attended the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) summit in Istanbul on 28-29 June 2004. During the traditional family photo session she discussed with president George W. Bush of the United States. In her address to the summit President Halonen spoke about EU-NATO relations and Partnership co-operation.

"Finland supports the proposals to further develop the Euro-Atlantic co-operation taking into account the needs of different Partners. We have actively contributed to this process and we are ready to do so also in the future. Efforts to counter terrorism and weapons of mass destruction especially require this kind of international cooperation", President Halonen said.

Her second speech dealt with the current situation in Afghanistan. According tp President Halonen the success of the upcoming elections is crucial for the future of Afghanistan.

"For elections to be free and fair progress in the disarmament process is needed. Constructive participation and media visibility of the different political groups is necessary in the election campaign. In order to succeed adequate security measures by the Afghan Government and the international community are required."

President Halonen reminded that Afghanistan is one of the most significant recipients of Finnish bilateral and multilateral development aid. Finland supports e.g. demining activities, monitoring of illicit crop production, as well as improvement of the health and environmental sector in Afghanistan.

President Halonen headed the Finnish delegation at the Istanbul summit, which also included Minister of Defence Seppo Kääriäinen.

President Halonen's address at the EAPC summit

President Halonen's address on Afghanistan at the EAPC summit