Finland Times

The former president believes that in the long run, it is pivotal that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is resolved. He called on all the parties involved to tirelessly seek for solutions to end the regional unstable situation.

In an interview taken during the Ahtisaari Days programme organised at the University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, he said it would be crucial that the leaders of the United States and Russia listen to each other and come up with a solution on the Middle East issue.

Ahtisaari was the president of Finland from 1994 to 2000 and was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008.

“Ahtisaari Days” is an annual event which promotes conflict resolution through negotiating. During the event Tapio Nykänen, a lecturer at the University of Lapland, interviewed Ahtisaari about current conflicts and the refugee issue in Europe.

Giving advice on this issue, the former president encouraged the Finns to be ready to help people who are in need. “We shall remember,” he said “that nobody leaves his home for the very uncertain and possibly dangerous future, unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Ahtisaari also reminded that this is not the first time the world faces difficult times. “We have been through it before, so we will do it this time as well.”

Under the programme, a panel discussion was held on “Nordic minorities.” The panellists were Professor Veli-Pekka Lehtola and Professor Vesa Puuronen of the University of Oulu, and Lecturer Aini Linjakumpu and Researcher Nafisa Yeasmin of the University of Lapland.

Also within the programme of “Ahtisaari Days”, the former president paid a visit to the Vaaranlampi Comprehensive School and the Lyseonpuisto High School. He discussed the issues of peace and reconciliation with students and expressed his confidence in the future generation.