1) What is the historical review of diplomatic relations between Finland and Israel?

Finland recognized the State of Israel on 18^th of March 1949. Diplomatic relations between the two states were established on the 14^th of November 1950. Finland opened its Embassy in Tel Aviv soon afterwards, in 1952. Similarly, Israel opened its Embassy in Helsinki in 1956.

The first Finnish diplomatic representative in Israel was Mr. Toivo Kala, who received the status and tasks of a Chargé d'Affairs from the Finnish President. Kala gave his letter of accreditation to Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett, who told Kala that he admired Finland's readiness to defend its rights and its rebuilding work after the war. When leaving Sharett's reception Kala heard the Chief of Protocol Mr. Simon tell the Foreign Minister contentedly: "Now there are a total of 25 countries already represented in Israel".

Since 1952 Finland has had ambassador in Israel without any interruptions. So, you can see that these realtions are longstanding.

2)What are the state and dynamics of Finland’s political relations with Israel, both as a country, and as a member of the European Union?

Finland and Israel are two states of about the same size of population. The source of their prosperity and well-being is mainly in intellectual capacity and creativity. The difference is that Finland has lived in peace for the last 60 years or so whereas Israel has had a conflict with many of its neighbors. Both Finland and Israel have paid a heavy price in the wars in order to defend their independence and existence. There are both similarities and differences; this brings with it a lot of basic sympathy towards each other. It is clear that the Israeli occupation for the last 40 years of Palestinian and other territories also has its toll on public opinion. In recent years the number of visits between Finland and Israel has increased. After the first ever State visit from Finland to Israel in 1999 there have been three working visits of Foreign Ministers during the last two years. In May 2006 an important trade and technological delegation visited Israel. It was perceived very positively on both sides and a new opening in our relations. Both Finland and Israel are superpowers in the field of culture and we are working actively for increasing cultural contacts.

3) What does Finland hope to accomplish, now that the country has assumed the Presidency of the European Union?

Finland has of course more general objectives for its presidency but I would limit myself here for those related to the common foreign and security policy of the European Union.

Finland tries to make the Union´s external action more effective and promote coherence of these policies. One central objective is mainstreaming of human rights policies in all EU policy areas. Implementation of European Neighborhood policy gives many possibilities to increase contacts and cooperation with Israel. – Overall we wish to advance the EU agenda and promote peace and stability in this and other regions.

4) Leaders from several countries, including Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, stressing the need for a clearer mandate for the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

How can countries measure proportionate force in defending their populations against terrorist groups?

UNSC resolution 1701 contains important elements for peace and stability in the Middle East. It was and important achievement for the EU and for the UN. The backbone of the international force in Lebanon (beefed up UNIFIL) will come from EU countries including Finland. You cannot fight against terrorism through military means. Close international cooperation and exchange of information is a key factor in that. The root causes of terrorism should be addressed timely and seriously. The EU lives up to the expectations in its participation in the force. The mission will be difficult and cooperation of all states and parties is essential for its success.

4) How can Finland promote peaceful co-existence between Israel and the Arab World, and between Israel and Iran ?

The EU cannot make peace for others, we can only provide the parties to the conflicts with assistance. Only those directly involved can make a deal about peace. Through UN, EU and bilateral cooperation the EU countries try to enhance circumstances and atmosphere conducive to the peace. The countries concerned must prepare their constituencies for the necessary steps in order to reach an agreement. With comprehensive peace in the Middle East their should be nothing to prevent Israel from building normal relations with Arab countries and others. UNSC resolutions 242 and 338 ,earlier peace plans, as well as the Arab League Beirut declaration can serve as a basis and reference point for that.

5) In an interview with the Diplomatic Club Magazine, the Ambassador of Egypt to Israel, Assem Ibrahim, said : First end the occupation and then the conflict with the Palestinians will end. Do you think that the conflict can be finished in this way?

The conflict can be ended by stopping hostilities on both sides and by starting and concluding serious and genuine negotiations. The agreement has been pretty close in earlier attempts and those negotiations can serve as a useful basis or reference points for a negotiated solution. Withdrawal from occupied territories is one key points in the talks. It opens the way for agreed, secure borders and gives possibility for all states to live in peace and security next to each other.

6) The Palestinians deserve help, says Ambassador Ibrahim. If their lives improve, they will have something to lose. Whether the PA is corrupt is a question of the past. What is your opinion of these statements?

I have full respect for the opinions of my Egyptian colleague. The Palestinians must also help themselves i.e. to put their own house into order. Their living conditions are miserable while the intifada and violence in different forms continues. The Palestinians must have the basic ingredients to build up a viable democratic and sovereign state of their own. Lack of hope in the horizon, humiliation and frustrations only strengthen extremists and terrorism.

7) What are the most important spheres of the Finnish-Israeli economic/trade relationship?

Today, high technology is the most important component in Finnish-Israeli trade relations, particularly in the field of telecommunications. Having said this, the paper and wood industries are still very significant elements of Finnish exports to Israel. 3 years ago, toward the end of the hi-tech bubble, these industries briefly (and temporarily) surpassed telecommunications products as the leading Finnish export to Israel.

Under the European Union umbrella, trade between Israel and Finland has grown exponentially, however the reasons may be more due to Israel’s industrialization and modernization since the 1990s. The Oslo peace agreement of 1993 coincides with the exponential growth of trade between our two nations, but this is also when Israel started to rely more on high tech as a growth engine. Consequently the market became more viable for Finnish exports while at the same time it had more to offer Finnish importers.

Finnish companies opening branches in Israel and vice-versa are a very positive development in our trade relationship and it should intensify in the future. Finland and Israel have a lot to learn form each other, in particular in hi-tech, and they complement one another in many areas. While Finland has been more successful in raising home grown companies to the level of Nokia and others, Israelis have been extremely active in reaching foreign stock exchanges, such as NASDAQ, and raising foreign capital particularly through venture capital.

The R&D Agreement has been extremely successful. We are now on the third call for proposals which attests to its success. Last year, 30 Finnish and Israeli companies submitted proposals for joint cooperation. We are hoping for even more FIT cooperation projects in the coming year and the recent business delegation to Israel with almost 30 Finnish participants, among them, Mr. Erkki Virtanen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is likely contribute to that.

8) Has the quality of life in Finland improved as a result of joining the European Union?

The average quality of life in Finland has steadily improved for decades. In the beginning of the 1990s, we went through a severe economic recession. Looking back to that time one can say, that we were forced by the recession to do some partly difficult but wise decisions: radical structural changes, joining the EU and the Monetary Union, growing steadily the r&d share of GDP even during the deepest recession etc. So I would say that EU membership is part of the explanation but not the only one.

An interesting question is of course, how do you define quality of life. Are wealth and health the right indicators? Or should things like happiness of the population be also considered? Recently a book was published in Finland called "Why Doesn´t a Third Hamburger Make One Happy?" The book is about economy of happiness and the two writers, both economists, try to find out why getting more doesn't always mean you feel better.

9) What have been the Ambassador’s main achievements, so far, in advancing the Finn-Israeli relationship?

I have managed to increase contacts and visits in all fields and on many levels. I have also tried to explain to my compatriots through media and otherwise the relaities of the Israeli society today. My main task is to give to the Israelis knowledge and information about my own country, about its achievements and possibilities for cooperation. Apart from the political contacts between Finland and Israel the biggest trade and technological delegation from Finland visited Israel in May 2006. Cultural events have also been more frequent than earlier. - Overall, the bilateral relations have improved and contacts increased.

10) What are the major roles played by the Embassy of Finland in Israel?

I am happy to note that in recent times high level visits among our countries have increased. Cultural exchanges have taken place and a lot of potential remains in the cultural sphere. The embassy has for instance organized Finnish film weeks twice already during my tenure. Israel is Finland's third biggest export country in the Middle East, and clearly the most important one considering our imports. The strengths of both Finland and Israel can be found especially in the area of high technology.

11) How has the Ambassador and his family adapted and participated in the life of Israel?

My wife and I , we have enjoyed our stay in Israel (by now 3 years). Israel ei a very interesting mosaic consisting of people whose origins are all over the world. The cultural life is impressive. The variety of nature in such a small country is quite an attraction. We have a number of good friends in Israel, also in connection of our free time activities.

12) In internet usage Finland is second to Israel in countries in the average hours spent online per visitor. Why are Finns and Israelis so dependent on the internet?

I believe there are both similar and different reasons for Finns and Israelis to be number one users of the internet. To start with the similarities, both countries are investing heavily on high tech and r&d, and children learn to use high tech tools already at school. Both countries also put emphasis on education in general and we both have a tradition of wide compulsory education. Therefore, all tools for searching information and assisting the learning process are highly appreciated in both countries.

But I also believe that the Israelis are maybe using the net so much cause many of you have relatives abroad. That is not so often the case in Finland, but we again have a geographically big, sparsely inhabited country, and devices like telephone and e-mail are important tools for communicating let´s say between the child studying in Helsinki, parents living in the eastern border and grandparents in Lapland.

13) How has tourism been developing between Finland and Israel?

Thousands of Finns visit Israel yearly visiting Eilat, as a sea-side resort and of course historical places, such as Jerusalem. For reasons of climate this tourism happens mainly between February - April and September - October. There is also one Finnish tour company specializing in tours to Israel. The numbers of Finnish tourists to Israel have developed and remained steady despite the political turbulences.

Israelis on the other hand are just discovering Finland mainly on an individual basis. Finnish Lapland for instance has lately received considerable publicity in the Israeli media, as a tourist resort of choice.