Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at a banquet given in honour of President of the Republic of Mozambique Armando Emílio Guebuza on 5 November 2008

(check against delivery)

Allow me once more to wish you, Mr President, and your delegation a warm welcome to Finland. You are here among friends. Many Finns – both individuals and organizations – have cooperated with your country and supported you since the troubled times.

In September 2002, I myself had an opportunity to see your beautiful country when my husband and I visited Mozambique at the invitation of your predecessor, President Chissano. A particularly fond memory of that visit is the opening ceremony of a school in Moamba. The construction of the school, which was interrupted because of war, had been completed with Finland’s support and the young people were able continue their studies. We could see how happy they were to return back to school.

What is common for our two countries is appreciation for education and joy of learning. Finnish education system is founded on the principle of providing equal learning opportunities for all – for every girl and boy. Our Constitution guarantees everyone the right to basic education free of charge. On our part, we are pleased to support education and expertise in your country, too.

* * *

Relations between Finland and Mozambique are excellent. Mozambique is one of Finland’s long-term development cooperation partners.

In the future, we intend to expand further our relationship with your country. This was also raised when our Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, Mr Paavo Väyrynen, visited Mozambique in mid-October. The sectors of science, the information society and forestry are new key areas in our bilateral cooperation.

Mozambique has developed favourably in many respects. It is important to continue reforms that strengthen the implementation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Reforms will also help generate economic growth and jobs. People who are worse off must be cared for and allowed to share the positive effects of development in order to avoid marginalization from society.

* * *

In a globalizing world, there is a greater interdependence between countries. A striking example of this is the crisis on international financial markets. It has triggered a process that will have implications for all.

Our common challenge is to turn globalization into a positive force that promotes justice, decent work, growth and sustainable development worldwide. The benefits of globalization will have to be shared more equally between countries and within countries. This was also a starting point in the work of the ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, which I had the honour to co-chair with the then President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa.

The importance of trade to the promotion of development and growth is increasingly clear. Without trade and investment, it is very difficult to create a healthy and sustainable economy. The developed countries have a very important role in supporting, in particular, the countries of Africa and in helping them to integrate better into the global economy.

Globalization and challenges deriving from it are human-made. Therefore, it is for us, people, to solve them. But we have to take into account that our actions have wide-ranging effects also on the nature. Mitigating climate change is necessary for the future of the whole mankind. I know that in Mozambique, too, there is a lot of concern over climate issues. Extreme natural phenomena such as floods, droughts and typhoons are almost regularly occurring events nowadays in your country.

In addition to national action, it is important that we can globally join our forces to combat climate change. The current economic problems must not slow down the process to fight climate change. We now need a powerful global agreement more than ever, and the United Nations must have a leading role as the forum for international cooperation.

The international food crisis and increased food prices have affected all countries around the world. Particularly acutely this touches the developing countries. The rising food prices is a serious threat to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals and to supporting sustainable development. This came up clearly in the UNCTAD XII Conference last spring and in this autumn’s UN General Assembly. Solving the food crisis and suppressing hunger are our common challenges that can best be tackled with multilateral cooperation.

* * *

For a long time, Mozambique has played a constructive and positive role for stability in the region. There are problems in the southern parts of Africa for which a sustainable solution has not yet been found and which may present a threat to regional security. Both the Southern African Development Community and the African Union are important actors for solving problems in the area and turning the development path to a positive direction.

Mozambique was among the first to agree on the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community. I consider that these partnership agreements can help promote regional integration as well as deepen the relations between the Union and the Southern African Development Community.

* * *

Interaction between our two countries has increased in many sectors of life. There are lively and active contacts between non-governmental organizations. A Finnish-Mozambique Society has been operating in Finland since 1986.

The Finnish Embassy in Maputo has been active in supporting culture and cultural exchange in it various forms. Strengthening the Mozambique cultural identity, preserving the cultural heritage and advancing gender equality are general goals of this work.

Mr. President, I would like propose a toast to You, to the happiness and wellbeing of Mozambique’s citizens and to friendship and cooperation between our two countries.