Bahamas and Finland to collaborate on forest conservation
From Bahama Islands info
NASSAU, The Bahamas — His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General has suggested that the renewed impetus for Bahamas-Finland relations include research and development of forest conservation.
He made the statement on the occasion of the Presentation of Letters of Credence by His Excellency Kaarlo Murto, Ambassador (Designate) of the Republic of Finland to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, at Government House on Thursday, May 2, 2013.
Finland boasts of the best comprehensive school system in the world and 100 percent literacy, but is also plagued with similar issues to that of The Bahamas.
“We have noted that Finland shares at least one of the social challenges besetting The Bahamas, namely that of immigration and how to balance its positive and negative aspects,” Sir Arthur said.
“We welcome your pledge to do your utmost to achieve your government’s stated bilateral priority; that is, to consolidate and deepen our existing friendly relations. We concur with the areas you have mentioned: shipping, meteorology, telecommunications, renewable energy, tourism, foreign direct investment and trade.
This common interest has also been confirmed in the area of education by the high-level visit to Finland by the Bahamian Minister for Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Sir Arthur said.
“Finland’s interest in the Caribbean and the wider region goes beyond diplomatic rhetoric to constructive engagement,” he added.
The Bahamas and Finland established diplomatic relations on December 2, 2005, and forged a new strategic partnership with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on June 1, 2010 at the Turkeyen, Guyana, where the CARICOM Secretariat is located.
Finland is said to be an example proving that success can be wrestled from the jaws of adversity. It is also noted to have accomplished firsts in domestic and foreign policies, which are valued-based, people-centred, and empowering.
“Finland was the first country in Europe to give women the right to stand for elected office. The Finn, Helvi Sipilä, who helped place the issue of women’s rights on the agenda of the United Nations, became the first woman to hold high office in the UN Secretariat as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General from 1972 to 1980,” Sir Arthur said.
He noted that neutrality in world affairs did not mean disinterest for Finland, as its significant involvement in the United Nations peacekeeping, almost immediately after becoming a member in 1955, earned that country at one point, the designation of “Peacekeeping Super Power”.
Finland has also been rated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development as having achieving the second highest level of production in high technology manufacturing.
Ambassador Murto, 64, has a long career and experience in the Finnish Foreign Service from 1970. He holds a Masters degree in Political and Social Sciences and has served in Indonesia, Madrid, Paris, New Zealand and in other countries.
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