President Halonen: Greeks and Finns have found each other

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and his spouse made a state visit to Finland on 4-7 May 2009. Reception ceremonies and official talks with President of the Republic Tarja Halonen took place at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, 5 May. The Presidents discussed bilateral issues, European integration as well as the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea regions and the situation in Cyprus. “Relation between Greece and Finland are very cordial and the potential is excellent”, President Papoulias said at the joint press conference, which is available as a video recording on the Internet . “Our people have found each other. Thousands of people visit Greece every year. The business community could come a little bit closer”. President Halonen said. “I say once again that I have the full respect for the country, where not only Finland but the whole Europe has got its cultural heritage - and also we respect Greece as the birth place of democratic institutions”.

President Halonen and President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias at the Presidential Palace. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President Halonen said that the situation in Cyprus is not acceptable. “We have to work very hard in order to find a solution to the situation. Finland is very committed to the UN process and I was interested to listen to how President Papoulias views the situation and the possibilities”, President Halonen noted.

Finnish medicine against the corruption

President Halonen was also asked how European citizens should deal with issues of corruption, regarding that Finland is one of the least corrupted countries in the world. “We are not saints, we are just human beings”, she answered. “The Finnish medicine against the corruption is good, effective governance and so much transparency that you have no reason and you don’t dare to use corruption. The European Union should be very realistic and even hard in this situation. To see the role of bureaucracy and good governance as opponents. Even in the countries where governance has not been a problem, it can become a problem.”

President Papoulias wanted to thank the Finnish community for their support and efforts in the restitution for the Parthenon marbles back to Greece. According to President Halonen, it is not easy: “I do hope so that we find ways how to get them back. As a former lawyer, I don’t consider it is without problems, but I say very openly I think that Greece is the home place for these treasures.”

On Tuesday, President Papoulias also laid a wreath in Hietaniemi Cemetery and attended the state banquet at the Presidential Palace. On Wednesday, 6 May President Papoulias visited Parliament and met with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. Also on the programme were visits to the Uspenski Cathedral and the University of Helsinki and the opening of a photo exhibition at Helsinki City Hall.

Speech by President Halonen at the state banquet