UN Secretary-General begins visit to Finland
Ban Ki-moon sharply denounces North Korean nuclear test
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Finland for an official visit on Monday evening.
His reception at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was low-key, with just a small number of civil servants meeting him. The most high-ranking of them was Päivi Kairamo-Hella, Chief of Staff of President Tarja Halonen.
The last time that a UN Secretary-General paid an official visit to Finland was 12 years ago when Kofi Annan came to Helsinki.
Ban Ki-Moon was in Helsinki in 2006 to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting summit. At the time he was the Foreign Minister of South Korea.
Ban expressed shock and concern on Monday about the most recent nuclear test conducted by North Korea.
He said that he expects the UN Security Council to take action appropriate to the seriousness of the situation.
He also reiterated his demand that North Korean officials not take actions that will make the situation in the area worse. He urged negotiations to resolve disagreements, and a resumption of talks comprising six nations as soon as possible.
On Tuesday morning Ban and President Halonen met for talks on a number of issues, including climate policy, the international economic crisis, and UN peacekeeping activities.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace, Ban said that he feels a “special responsibility” over the increase in tension sparked by the North Korean nuclear test.
He mentioned his previous participation in efforts to prevent North Korea from developing a nuclear weapon.
Ban Ki-Moon served as Foreign Minister of South Korea from January 2004 through November 2006.
At noon on Tuesday Ban made history by being the first foreign state visitor to speak in the main chamber of the Finnish Parliament. The event was not a plenary session of Parliament, but rather a separate speaking event.
Under the Finnish constitution, only Members of Parliament and government ministers are allowed to address the plenary session, as well as the President of the Republic, when specifically invited to do so.
In his address to the Finnish Parliament, Ban noted that many scientists’ predictions about climate change have proven to be correct, and that to some extent the consequences are even worse than predicted.
He said that a disaster can be averted only by taking immediate action. He feels that the upcoming climate meeting in Copenhagen has a key role in fighting the worst consequences, and in promoting a new green economy.
Also on the day’s agenda are lunch with Speaker of Parliament Sauli Niinistö and a meeting with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. In the evening, President Halonen will host a dinner for the guest.
On Wednesday Ban meets with representatives of Finnish non-governmental organisations, as well as former President and Nobel peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari and Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paavo Väyrynen. He will also visit the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER).
His reception at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was low-key, with just a small number of civil servants meeting him. The most high-ranking of them was Päivi Kairamo-Hella, Chief of Staff of President Tarja Halonen.
The last time that a UN Secretary-General paid an official visit to Finland was 12 years ago when Kofi Annan came to Helsinki.
Ban Ki-Moon was in Helsinki in 2006 to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting summit. At the time he was the Foreign Minister of South Korea.
Ban expressed shock and concern on Monday about the most recent nuclear test conducted by North Korea.
He said that he expects the UN Security Council to take action appropriate to the seriousness of the situation.
He also reiterated his demand that North Korean officials not take actions that will make the situation in the area worse. He urged negotiations to resolve disagreements, and a resumption of talks comprising six nations as soon as possible.
On Tuesday morning Ban and President Halonen met for talks on a number of issues, including climate policy, the international economic crisis, and UN peacekeeping activities.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace, Ban said that he feels a “special responsibility” over the increase in tension sparked by the North Korean nuclear test.
He mentioned his previous participation in efforts to prevent North Korea from developing a nuclear weapon.
Ban Ki-Moon served as Foreign Minister of South Korea from January 2004 through November 2006.
At noon on Tuesday Ban made history by being the first foreign state visitor to speak in the main chamber of the Finnish Parliament. The event was not a plenary session of Parliament, but rather a separate speaking event.
Under the Finnish constitution, only Members of Parliament and government ministers are allowed to address the plenary session, as well as the President of the Republic, when specifically invited to do so.
In his address to the Finnish Parliament, Ban noted that many scientists’ predictions about climate change have proven to be correct, and that to some extent the consequences are even worse than predicted.
He said that a disaster can be averted only by taking immediate action. He feels that the upcoming climate meeting in Copenhagen has a key role in fighting the worst consequences, and in promoting a new green economy.
Also on the day’s agenda are lunch with Speaker of Parliament Sauli Niinistö and a meeting with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. In the evening, President Halonen will host a dinner for the guest.
On Wednesday Ban meets with representatives of Finnish non-governmental organisations, as well as former President and Nobel peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari and Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paavo Väyrynen. He will also visit the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER).
Helsingin Sanomat