In his first New Year’s Day address as President, Sauli Niinistö called on his compatriots to keep the country open to the world to assist, to develop sustainably, to trade, build peace and cement ties.
“However we don’t have to declare that we know everything or can do everything better,” he cautioned, echoing a previous warning.
Niinistö pointed out that the Finnish economy is closely tied to the global economy and that the country should strengthen the trade dimension of its foreign policy.
“My goal is to support Finnish business and entrepreneurs in every way to succeed internationally,” Niinistö said in his address. He added that it was equally important to encourage foreign investment in Finland.
The goal, he noted, was to maximise jobs in Finland and to safeguard the national welfare. He also noted that building a stable and thriving European Union was in Finland’s best interest.
Growing selfishness and greed
On a more domestic note, the President acknowledged that Finns were currently experiencing a situation in which economic control seems to have been wrested from national decision makers.
He called on the government and the parliament to be courageous in the circumstances.
Niinistö cautioned against rising selfishness and greed in his fellow citizens.
“It is a sign of a dwindling sense of justice. We don’t necessarily do what feels right, but rather what brings us the greatest benefit,” he noted.
He encouraged the nation to consider what individuals could do to reduce suffering in their communities.
