Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin TD, Welcomes Award of Nobel Peace Prize to Martti Ahtisaari

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin TD,   has warmly welcomed the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. 

The Minister said:  “I am delighted by the news that President Ahtisaari has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  It is the richly-deserved culmination of a career devoted to the prevention and resolution of conflict. As a diplomat, as President of Finland, and as a wise elder statesman, Martti Ahtisaari has been determined and creative in the cause of peace. In recent times, his brokering of peace in Aceh and his recommendations for the creation of an independent and multi-ethnic Kosovo have been particularly significant and influential.  We in Ireland have particular reason to be grateful for his role, with Cyril Ramaphosa, in verifying the early stages of the IRA putting arms beyond use. As he reminded us when he most recently visited Dublin earlier this year, Ireland and Finland are united by a similar approach to questions of international peace and security, with a commitment to the United Nations at the core.  We will continue to work with and support President Ahtisaari in his future endeavours.”

Press Office+++
Dublin,
10 October 2008