We regard Finland's level of growth and development with admiration
Helsinki, 02/25/2004 | press release
The President of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, is currently on a two-day official visit to Finland, at the invitation of the Finnish President, Mrs Tarja Halonen. In the morning, President Drnovšek met his host President Halonen at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. They exchanged views on co-operation between the two countries within the European Union, the future of the European Union, the European future of the SE European countries and on preparations for Slovenia's presidency of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. They assessed relations between Slovenia and Finland as extremely close and friendly, and becoming stronger in both the political and other areas. The Finnish President emphasised the importance of the opening of the Finnish Embassy in Slovenia, where Ambassador Brigitte Stenius-Mladenov will start carrying out her duties on Monday 1st March. In his public statement after the official talks, the Slovene President said:
"I am delighted to be able to visit Finland again. I came here for the first time in 1992, to the Helsinki Summit, when our country became a member of OSCE, shortly after Slovenia's independence. My second important visit to Helsinki was in 1999, when the European Union at a summit meeting decided to enlarge with ten new members, including Slovenia. The present visit is taking place just before Slovenia's full membership, starting on 1st May, when we shall share a joint European future with Finland. We hold similar views on many world and European issues, which represents a good basis for co-operation. Our two countries have much in common, they are both relatively small, the history of both our nations is marked by the fight for survival, for identity, and we intend to retain our own identity within the European Union. We view the Finnish rate of economic and technological growth with admiration, and your experiences in achieving such a high growth rate and such a competitive economy are extremely valuable to Slovenia. I am accompanied on this visit by a large business delegation and by experts in the areas of education and science, who will with their Finnish counterparts exchange views and experiences relating to links between the state, science and the economy, which are yielding significant results in Finland. Slovenia is considered a successful country in comparison with other countries in transition. However, our goals and ambitions are even higher. It is our wish to come closer to countries like Finland and I am convinced that this visit will contribute to identifying potential for even faster development. I am also pleased that Finland has opened an embassy in Ljubljana and that there will soon be a Slovene ambassador in Helsinki."
In response to a Finnish journalist who asked for his views on the decision of ten countries to limit the free movement of the work force for a certain period, the Slovene President responded that he does not anticipate particular problems in this area. He added: "According to available studies, it is more likely that Slovenia will import rather than export workers. We want this transition period to be a short rather than a long one, certainly we do not wish it to last seven years. As a new EU member we will strive for equal rights of all member states. The idea of two categories of membership is not acceptable and is in contradiction to the basic idea of the European Union. We shall soon demonstrate that there is absolutely no reason for a different treatment and approach."
In reply to another question concerning which EU countries are Slovenia's allies Dr Drnovšek said: "We will work with all EU states, but in relation to specific issue, we will work closer with particular countries. I believe that in view of our common interests, we will work closely with countries like Finland and with other small and medium-sized countries towards the maintenance of equal and appropriate relations within the European Union."
Following this, the Slovene President, accompanied by the Finnish President, visited Helsinki City Hall, where he was received by the Mayoress Eva-Riita Siitonen and the President of the Helsinki City Council, Mrs Minerva Krohn. President Drnovšek signed the Golden Visitors' Book and received from the President of the City Council an Honorary Medal of the City of Helsinki. In his acknowledgement, President Drnovšek welcomed the good relations between the two capitals, which continue to improve. Moreover, he expressed his pleasure at their joint future within the European Union and thanked his hosts for their friendly reception and welcome.
The Slovene President then laid wreaths on the tomb of Marshal Mannerheim and on the Cross of the Heroes.
In the late afternoon, the President will also meet with the Finnish Prime Minister, Mr Matti Vanhanen.
