Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at a dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Kwasniewski in Warsow on 25.4.2001

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I would like to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for your cordial words about Finland and me personally. I want to thank you and Mrs. Kwasniewska as well as the people of Poland for the warm reception that you have given my husband and myself. We are now half-way through our visit. Today we have had very interesting and useful discussions. Tomorrow there is a further opportunity for talks with Prime Minister Buzek and the speakers of both chambers of your parliament.

Our countries established diplomatic relations over 80 years ago, after Finland had achieved independence and Poland regained hers. A national awakening, accompanied by a powerful flourishing of art and literature, preceded the achievement of national sovereignty in both countries.

Relations between Finland and Poland have been excellent down through the years. Direct contacts between our citizens have been lively regardless of the prevailing political climate. This lively interaction is a good foundation on which to continue to build our relations. Finland and Poland have a lot to give each other and, through cooperation with our neighbours, also more broadly to the part of the world in which we live. I am very pleased that relations between our countries have continued to develop, that contacts have increased, and that they also have new contents. I hope this visit will further strengthen the development of our relations.

Politicians and officials have their role in building the foundations for relations between countries. But it is through practical cooperation between private citizens, non-governmental organisations and businesses that these relations acquire a content. Friendship societies linking Finland and Poland have been working since as long ago as 1928 and have made a marked contribution to the development of relations between our countries. The public authorities have every reason to promote this cooperation between citizens.

Cultural and scientific ties between us are an important part of our relations. The Finns naturally know Fredric Chopin and Henryk Sienkiewicz. The Polish film week every autumn is an important item on Helsinki's cultural calendar. I personally admire also the vitality of Polish folk culture. Last year, as a cooperative project between our European Cities of Culture, an exhibition of Christmas cribs from Cracow was arranged in Helsinki. It made a great impression on the Finnish public.

In return, I believe, the Poles know at least Jean Sibelius among our composers and Alvar Aalto among our architects, and I hope that devotees of cinema have discovered the Kaurismäki brothers. Clearly, music, dance and the visual arts are easier to easier to export when there is a language barrier to surmount, but lively translation work has also helped to lower that barrier. I am glad that those new areas of Finnish culture, film and pop music, are so well-known here in Poland. Our peoples love culture and sport and certainly admire one another's prowess, whether what is involved is the films of Andrzej Wajda and Krzysztof Kieslowski or Adam Malysz's soaring ski jumps.

Economic relations between Finland and Poland have been developing well. Trade has grown and diversified. No longer do we confine ourselves to exchanging timber and paper for coal. Products of many other sectors are finding markets as well. Advanced-technology products for the energy sector, construction and especially telecommunications are examples of new additions to Finnish industry's export palette. In return, Finland's open market - although it is the scene of fierce international competition - offers Polish companies an ideal opportunity to develop and diversify their exports. The investments that Finnish companies have made in various sectors of the Polish economy testify to our two countries' common desire to develop and strengthen economic interaction over the longer term as well.

Finland has been a member of the European Union for over six year. Ever since our accession we have tried to be an active member and make our own positive contribution to the development of Europe. The European Union faces big challenges. It is expanding at the same time as it is developing its own functions.

Finland strongly supports enlargement of the European Union. It will strengthen peace, and stability will increase in our continent. We can together build our economy and enhance the wellbeing of our citizens. Together we shall be better able to defend our position globally. However, a lot of work still lies ahead of us and the best way for us to serve the interests of everyone is to do that work as well as possible. Finland believes that the next enlargement of the European Union should take place as soon as the possibility exists, and we shall do everything in our power to hasten that day.

Let us together raise our glasses in a toast to Poland and her people, and to the excellent relations between our countries.