Politician

Luck has a lot to do with how your life develops.

Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal.

No country's policies are eternal; they do vary. People are growing old, and a new generation is coming to power. In a year's time, a government can look different. You can't influence them if you don't talk to them.

The task of the mediator is to help the parties to open difficult issues and nudge them forward in the peace process. The mediator's role combines those of a ship's pilot, consulting medical doctor, midwife and teacher.

I have no superhuman powers. If people don't want to make peace, there is nothing I can do.

Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal.

If one has problems with immigrant communities in Europe, that should not be used against Turkey.

The only people that can make peace are the parties to the conflict, and just as they are responsible for the conflict and its consequences, so should they be given responsibility and recognition for the peace.

We are convinced that Turkey would be a useful member of the European Union.

With my mother, I moved from one household to another before settling in the eastern part of Finland, in the city of Kuopio.

No country's policies are eternal; they do vary. People are growing old, and a new generation is coming to power. In a year's time, a government can look different. You can't influence them if you don't talk to them.

The only people that can make peace are the parties to the conflict, and just as they are responsible for the conflict and its consequences, so should they be given responsibility and recognition for the peace.