Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen at the dinner hosted by the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

(check against delivery)

Mr. Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please receive my thanks, Mr Prime Minister, for the kind invitation to visit Malaysia and for the warm reception given to our delegation, especially after I had to cancel at short notice the visit scheduled for last November, due to an extraordinary European Council meeting.

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to continue the high-level political contacts between our nations. The distance between Malaysia and Finland on the map looks long and the flight takes some time, but this fact is no deterrent to our close relations. In Finland, we recognise the increasing economic and political significance of Asia, including South East Asia. And thousands of Finnish tourists are happy to see warm Malaysia and friendly Malaysians every year.

Malaysia has been a remarkable success story in the past decades with its transformation into a dynamic industrial economy setting the pace for economic development in South-East Asia. This has been the result of a focused economic policy, combined with emphasis on education and training.

The bilateral relations between Finland and Malaysia are traditionally excellent. We cooperate in many international fora, especially in the framework of the United Nations and more recently also in ASEM. Finland and Malaysia both want to promote peace and security in international relations and give their strong contribution to this aim in their respective regions, Finland as a member of the European Union and the OSCE, Malaysia within ASEAN.

We appreciate the significant role Malaysia has played in promoting the dialogue between civilisations, and we are ready to give our contribution to these efforts. The Finnish and Malaysian Governments share the view that in order to reach sustainable international security we have to promote the principles of democracy and rule of law as well as the respect for human rights.

While complimenting Malaysia on its fast development, we are also aware of the unprecedented challenges Malaysia, the South-East Asian region and the world are facing. The recent financial and economic turbulence is a further reason to underline the urgent need for global responsibility and cooperation.

Another great challenge is climate change. I strongly believe that working together is the only way forward and will benefit all nations. All countries, both developed and developing, have to assume their fair share of responsibility. The Post-Copenhagen situation demands creative and effective measures to curb emissions. I am confident that Malaysia, as an important emerging state, will have a constructive role in this process.

As for EU-ASEAN relations, important negotiations have been launched on free trade as well as partnership agreements and our sincere hope is that mutually beneficial results will be achieved in the not too distant future.

Mr. Prime Minister,

The Malaysian economic development has been quite positive and it is no wonder that our bilateral trade has kept growing steadily to an annual level of about 500 million Euros - until the global recession cut the figures somewhat. With some forty Finnish companies operating permanently in Malaysia we believe that the decrease in trade is temporary, and the numbers will bounce back soon.

The success of the Finnish – Malaysian Business Forum, held here in Kuala Lumpur last November, is proof of the mutual interest of both of our countries to further develop and expand our trade, economic, scientific and educational relations. Especially, I am convinced that the cooperation between Finland and Malaysia in the Cleantech sector has great potential.

Malaysia, as a dynamic member of ASEAN is an important gateway to the ASEAN area and thus of particular relevance and importance to us. Finland is committed on its own part, and as a member of the European Union, to deepen and further develop the already strong economic links with Malaysia.

Finally, I want to propose a toast to your health, Mr. Prime Minister, as well as to the prosperity and happiness of the Malaysian people.