Speeches 2003
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to Finland and to this visit to the Karelia Brigade as well as to the air base visit in Karelia Air Command.
05.05.2003 5.5.2003 Speech in Seinäjoki on the National War Veteran Day, Defence Minister Matti Vanhanen
Distinguished war veterans, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honour for me to give my first speech as a defence minister to you.
Distinguished members of the Paasikivi Society, Ladies and Gentlemen, As the second cabinet of Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen is soon ending its term of office it is a suitable moment to make an assessment of the international activities of defence administration during the past four years.
Chief of Defence, Distinguished participants of the 167th National Defence Course, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honour for me to pass on the views of the Government on Finlands military defence and challenges of the future to a starting National Defence Course, for the last time in the capacity of defence minister.