We Finns represent a very transparent and open-minded way of reaching political decisions.

In international or national crises, there are always questions of lack of confidence. You have to change the minds of the people in order to get results.

I recently reread an article of mine written in 1964, and I think it is still valid. There is not much difference. Many of the items on the agenda 37 years ago are still there.

In every European nation, there have been problems in history when the society was too divided.

The Baltic Sea is becoming more and more polluted. Not everybody living near the shore of the Baltic Sea is protecting it. It is the water of life for countries like Finland and Sweden.

If you come to a negotiation table saying you have the final truth, that you know nothing but the truth and that is final, you will get nothing.

That is where consensus-building begins-with the idea that you have your own truth, but that the negotiator on the other side of the table has his own truth as well.