Speech by the President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at the State banquet for the President of the Republic of Hungary László Sólyom, 29 March 2006

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Mr. President - dear colleague,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. President, I am pleased that you wished to visit Finland so soon after taking office. I hope that you have truly felt yourself among friends here. I visited Hungary with my husband in late August 2002, and we have really very nice memories of our state visit to your beautiful country.

The thing that is special about the relationship between our two countries is the kinship between our languages, which was identified already more than 150 years ago. Communication expanded early on to different areas of culture, too. Our painters, architects and designers met at the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1900, and in 1906, at the joint Nordic arts and design exhibition organized in Budapest.

In the inter-war era, contacts became more active and more numerous. These years saw the beginning of cooperation between the Lutheran Churches of Finland and Hungary, which continues to this day. In the decades following the Second World War, the friendship societies and twinning of cities extended bilateral relations to civic society, which has been of the utmost importance to Finnish-Hungarian relations. The first twinning agreement was signed 50 years ago between Lahti and Pécs, your own city, and today, there are more than 50 twinned pairs of cities. The EU and joint projects have brought new content to cooperation between twinned cities. In addition, the friendship societies in both countries have an active agenda. Our universities have had a close and important relationship already for decades.

I would also like to mention the positive contribution of the Hungarians who have settled in Finland. Families, such as the Szilvays, the Bogányis and the Garams have made a major contribution to Finland’s musical life and music education. And Nándor J. Mikola, a very famous painter, is among us tonight!

In autumn 2003 the centre of Finnish culture, research and business – Finnagora – was set up in Hungary. As well as culture and science, Finnagora is active in business and the economy. It is above all an expert organization and a mediator organization focused on establishing professional contacts. Finnagora’s particular focus is on young people, its goal being to increase awareness of Finland among them. Through Finnagora, Finland will hopefully establish an even higher profile in Hungary.

Trade and economic relations between Finland and Hungary have been developing favourably. Quite a few Finnish internationalised companies have become established in Hungary. Finns invest considerable amounts in Hungary, particularly in the IT industry. Finnish companies have not chosen Hungary by accident, but a multitude of factors have contributed to such decisions. I should like to point out that in Hungary, as in Finland, there is a determined effort to invest in training and a competent labour force. Training is a crucial factor in strengthening competitiveness. Also investment in research and development is vital. I know, Mr. President, that you had expressed a wish to take a look at research and innovation activities in Finland during your visit.

Relations between our countries have historically been very good, and with Hungary’s EU membership a new dimension has been added: cooperation within the European Union. Contacts between our countries – in all areas and at all levels – have even increased with your country’s accession.

Finland will be taking up the EU Presidency for the latter half of this year. We face considerable challenges, and we hope to rely on the support of Hungary during the Presidency. We are prepared to work for a united Europe and have been working in close cooperation with Austria, the current holder of the Presidency. The priorities for our Presidency have certainly become familiar to you at your various meetings today and that is why I do not intend to go into them again in detail. As for the Constitutional Treaty, we shall continue to work on the basis of the outcome of the June European Council meeting. As far as the outcome of last week’s summit is concerned, energy issues are now firmly on the agenda, not only within the EU but in the EU’s relationships with neighbouring countries and with other partners.

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From discussions with you in various contexts, I know that we share an interest in promoting development, which is sustainable from a perspective of people and environment. We can work together in order to enhance this kind of development within the EU as well as in the neighbouring areas.

The world is wider than the European Union and its neighbours. Responding to these challenges requires also efficient multilateralism and effective cooperation above all in the United Nations. Our aim is a safe, just and equitable world that will be a better place for all people, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity.