Your Excellency Ambassador Riitta Resch
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen:

On behalf of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, I am pleased to extend the greetings and best wishes of the Philippine government and people to the government and people of the Republic of Finland on the occasion of the 88th Anniversary of Finnish Independence.

Filipinos have long regarded Finland with fondness. Thanks to Armi Kuusela, the first Miss Universe who married a prominent Filipino businessman, served as Honorary Consul of Finland, and became a well-loved figure in Philippine society. This fond regard has not decreased at all with the popularity of the Nokia cellphone.

But the relations between the Philippines and Finland go beyond all that. Our two countries celebrate this year fifty years of diplomatic relations. Since the establishment in July 1955, relations between the two countries have deepened and expanded, covering a wide spectrum of areas of cooperation.

In terms of trade, Finland is among the top ten largest trading partners of the Philippine in Europe with the volume of trade in 2004 reaching US$ 176 million. The Philippines exports a wide range of products showing a shift from traditional to non-traditional items. Nokia sources about 84% of their semiconductor needs from the Philippines.

Finland is also a very active player in development cooperation with projects falling squarely under the government's 10-point economic agenda. Major projects include developing the emergency preparedness of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the enhancement of revenue collection of local government units, the Acute Respiratory Infection Vaccines or ARIVAC, the restoration and rehabilitation of waterways in the National Capital Region and in selected waterways nationwide, the Financial Strengthening of the Development of Poor Urban Communities Sector project, and the management of the Progressive People's Forest in the Cagayan Economic Authority.

The close relations between the Philippines and Finland will be highlighted next year as both our countries take centerstage in international fora. The Philippines will take the Chairmanship next year of ASEAN.   Finland, on the other hand, will assume the Presidency of the European Union by mid next year and will host the ASEM 6 Summit in 2006.   We thus have an opportunity to work together in promoting our shared values of democracy and freedom, human dignity, the rule of law, fair globalization, and sustainable development.

Finally, I would like to express appreciation for the activities that the Embassy of Finland under the leadership of Ambassador Resch has held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Philippines-Finland relations, especially those dealing with Finnish architecture (Aivar Aalto), fashion design (Ivana Helsinki), and music. They call attention to the various contributions Finland has brought for the benefit and progress of mankind.

Indeed, these contributions have been many and various. Why, even a universal symbol of the coming Christmas season is a Finnish invention: Santa Claus!

May I invite everyone to join me in a toast to the celebration of the 88th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Finland, and to the continued friendship and cooperation between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Finland.

Mabuhay!