Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at a banquet in honour of President Boni Yayi of Benin on 15 September 2010

(check against delivery)

It is a great pleasure to have you as our guests today. On behalf of my husband and for my own part I would like to welcome you cordially to Finland. This is your first visit to the Nordic countries. I would also like to thank you for the great hospitality you showed us when we visited your beautiful country in March of last year. I still recall the warmth with which we were received.

Finland traditionally has good relations with East Africa and southern Africa. In recent years we have strived to expand our cooperation to West Africa as well. I am very glad that relations between Finland and Benin have grown closer. Our ambassador in Abuja has been accredited in Benin, and a basis for fruitful cooperation has been created in many ways.

Both the EU and the African Union work for democracy and human rights. Finland, along with the European Union, wants to promote and strengthen cooperation with the countries of Africa and the African Union.

Your capital city has given its name to the Cotonou Agreement, which is a significant tool in cooperation between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP). The agreement has also promoted interaction between Finland and Benin.

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Benin has worked internationally as a spokesperson for peace and has taken part in several regional peacekeeping projects. Your country served with distinction for several years as the chair of the group of least developed countries in the UN. African regional development in the African Union, ECOWAS and other organizations is an excellent way to promote peace and security.

Democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law are the basis for a stable and successful nation. Finland also wants to promote these objectives in its international activities.

Benin's democracy has served as an excellent example in the region. Strong social responsibility and particularly care for the rights of the most vulnerable groups are of primary importance in building a fair society.

The International Colloquium on empowerment of women that was arranged in Liberia last year sent a strong message that striving for gender equality is work that promotes peace, security and economic development. Education plays a key role in this. Finland has a long history as a proponent of gender equality. In 1906 Finnish women were the first in Europe to receive the right to vote and the first in the world to receive the right to stand for election.

Women are also in an important position in mitigating climate change. The most serious consequences of climate change affect poor people, 70% of whom are women.

Next week we will review the implementation of the UN Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals in New York. Ten years ago I had the honour to co-chair together with the President of Namibia the Millennium Summit. I remember well the enthusiastic spirit at the meeting. Work to achieve the goals that we agreed on must continue with greater determination in order to promote global security and sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited me to co-chair a High-level Panel on Global Sustainability together with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. Our objective is to develop new ideas so that the international community can respond better to the challenges of increasing environmental problems and promote the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The Sahel is currently in the grips of a serious famine. Your own country has from time to time been hit by drought as well as floods. Natural disasters cause immense human suffering and endanger the achievement of development targets. The destruction of harvests further weakens the situation of countries that are suffering from the global food crisis. Climate change and the food crisis are challenges to which we can best respond through multilateral cooperation. The UN is the key forum in this activity.

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Bilaterally our countries are connected especially by interaction among non-governmental organizations as well as active cultural cooperation. The wonderful music of your country is also admired in Finland.

During my visit to Benin I had a chance to visit the unique Finnish-African Cultural Centre Villa Karo. Over the years hundreds of artists, musicians and researchers have worked at Villa Karo and received inspiration from your country's beautiful nature and rich culture.

You have now an opportunity to take a closer look at Finland's economy and make contacts with the business world according to your wishes. I hope this will lead to cooperation.

Mr President, I propose a toast to your honour, to the happiness and well-being of the people of Benin and to friendship and cooperation between our countries.