Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen to the diplomatic corps at a banquet at the Presidential Palace on 8 April 2010

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It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you – the members of the diplomatic corps and our esteemed Finnish guests – to this annual banquet.

Finland joined the European Union fifteen years ago. During this time, the Union has developed considerably. The number of member states has nearly doubled, and the EU has carried out several reforms in its structures and functions.

Now that the Treaty of Lisbon has entered into force, the Union has an opportunity to strengthen its role as an international actor. At the same time, the EU must deepen its cooperation with key partners such as the United States and Russia and further develop its relations with Asia, Latin America and Africa.

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Ten years ago the members of the United Nations adopted the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals. The most important of these is to reduce extreme poverty. The implementation of the goals will be evaluated next September at a special meeting in connection with the UN General Assembly. We must continue this work with determination, because it has vital importance for global security and sustainable development.

Also the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was adopted ten years ago. The key objectives of the resolution are widely shared, but its implementation still requires a lot of work. Finland's national action plan was approved in 2008. We have now started to cooperate with Kenya to produce their action plan. I hope that this twinning project will encourage other countries to engage in this type of cooperation.

In negotiations to mitigate climate change, all the key countries are now participating and there is a broad consensus on the objectives. The UN summit in Copenhagen was not able to agree on effective means to fight climate change. We must continue to work hard so that the conferences that will be held in Mexico this year and South Africa next year can make progress towards a new globally binding climate agreement.

Combatting climate change has a strong gender equality perspective. Women's participation in climate negotiations should be strongly encouraged. Finland for her part has supported the least developed countries so that they can send women delegates to climate meetings.

Successful action against climate change requires long-term research and development. Finland has know-how in this field. A breakthrough of green technology can be expected already at the Shanghai World Expo this year. Our country, too, will have a visible presence there.

Work to protect the environment should begin close to home. As the well-known slogan puts it: "Think globally, act locally". A year ago I – together with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and the Baltic Sea Action Group – launched an initiative to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea. The response to our initiative has been really positive. The Baltic Sea Action Summit, which we arranged in Helsinki in February, was a new type of meeting. It brought together heads of state and government as well as representatives of public organizations, businesses and NGOs from all the countries in the region.

All these actors have made important commitments for a cleaner Baltic Sea. A lot of work remains to be done before we can achieve our goal. I hope that young people in particular will join in this cause, and we should all support them in their efforts.

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A year ago, President Obama presented his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons when he visited Prague. President Medvedev gave a positive response to this initiative in his speech here in Helsinki. Today both Presidents have signed an agreement that will substantially reduce the number of strategic nuclear weapons. I congratulate the United States and Russia - and all of us - on the new START agreement. I want to express my congratulations personally next week, when I will participate in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

Monitoring and reducing military weapons builds confidence and increases cooperation, which is badly needed to resolve regional and global problems. I hope that the progress that has now been made in nuclear disarmament will also take forward negotiations on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

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During the past year I have met many of you in connection with visits and various meetings and other events. I am glad that the diplomatic corps has actively participated in these projects.

In January, I had the pleasure to open an exhibition of photos taken by ambassadors here in Helsinki. The exhibition was a very good way to show how Finland is perceived by diplomats, who observe our country from both a professional and a personal perspective. You have seen our country with your eyes and your hearts.

Esteemed members of the diplomatic corps, I want to express my warmest thanks for your excellent cooperation. Allow me to propose a toast to you and to the friendly relations between our countries.