In his New Year's speech, the President of the Republic of Finland, Urho Kekkonen, emphasised the significance of calm deliberation in coming to a final decision on the EEC question.
The Government of Finland decided to grant one million marks to the catastrophe assistance for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Diplomatic relations between Finland and both Germanies came into force. On Sep. 10, 1971, the Government of Finland proposed to the Federal Republic of Germany and to the German Democratic Republic her so-called Germany package, which expressed Finland's attempt for her part to clear up the German question completely. When the Berlin treaty came into force in June 1972, the Government of Finland decided the time was ripe to handle her proposals. Negotiations with GDR began in July 1972, but the Federal Republic waited for the preparation of the basic treaty between the Germanies. Even so, these negotiations began when the treaty was initialled on Nov. 8, 1972. On Nov. 24, 1972, Finland recognized both Germanies as independent states. The treaties with GDR were signed in Helsinki on Dec. 8, 1972. Negotiations between Finland and the Federal Republic of Germany were also begun and on Jan. 7, 1973, an announcement of the formation of diplomatic relations could be made.
The chairmen of seven parties requested that the President of the Republic agree to an extension of his term of office. After Kekkonen had given an affirmative answer, the Government presented Parliament with a proposal for a statute granting the extension of President Kekkonen's term.
The meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries was held in Copenhagen. A large Finnish delegation, led by Jussi Linnamo, Minister for Foreign Trade, arrived in Peking to negotiate on trade relations between the two countries.
The second round of the Helsinki Consultations on the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe began in Dipoli.
Austria's Foreign Minister, Rudolf Kirschläger, arrived for a five-day official visit.
With a vote of 170—28, Parliament passed the exceptional statute that extended President Kekkonen's term of office by four years from 1974 to 1978.
Finland and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam announced the formulation of diplomatic relations.
The International Parliamentary Union's (IPU) six-day conference on European Cooperation and Security began in Helsinki in the Houses of Parliament.
The free trade agreement with the United Kingdom and Denmark was extended to the end of 1973.
Finland devalued the mark by 5 %.
Minister for Foreign Trade Jussi Linnamo began an official visit to Yugoslavia.
The third round of the CSCE consultations began in Dipoli.
The 1973 trade agreement between Finland and China was signed in Helsinki.
Minister for Foreign Trade Jussi Linnamo negotiated with representatives of Poland's Ministry for Foreign Trade in Warsaw.
Prime Minister Kalevi Sorsa paid an official visit to Poland.
The President's private visit to Sweden began.
Minister for Defence of the United Kingdom, Lord Carrington, arrived for an official visit to Finland. The Minister for Foreign Trade of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ke Ung Taen and his delegation arrived in Finland.
In Oslo, the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries supported the holding of CSCE solely in Helsinki.
The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, Nikolai Podgorny, arrived on an official visit to Finland.
The Government of Finland decided to give direct humanitarian assistance to the national liberation movements of Africa. The main celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance was held in the Finlandia Hall in Helsinki. Present were the President of the USSR, Nikolai Podgorny, and President Kekkonen.
A delegation from Finland led by Foreign Minister Ahti Karjalainen participated in the 25th anniversary celebration of the 1948 treaty in Moscow.
The Government of Finland reached a decision in principle on the recognition of both Korean states.
Minister for Education Marjatta Väänänen left for a visit to the People's Republic of China, where she was to negotiate on cultural exchange.
The President of the Republic left for a private visit to Poland.
Bulgaria's Prime Minister Stanko Todorov arrived on an official visit to Finland.
Investigations of the so- called Zavidovo leak were concluded. On Oct. 31, 1972, three newspapers — the Finnish Vasabladet, the Swedish Dagens Nyheter and the Norwegian Dagbladet— published an article by Finnish correspondent Tor Högnäs, in which he reported on the discussions held by President Kekkonen and the leadership of the Soviet Union. These discussions dealt with, among other subjects, Finland's relations with EEC. With the publication of the discussions, President Kekkonen announced that he would no longer — contrary to his earlier promise be available at the end of his term. The Attorney General's investigations resulted in managing director Seppo Lindblom and Antero Jyränki, the chief of the President's office, being charged with not following their duty to keep matters confidential. Who actually caused the leak was not uncovered. At the same time, the Attorney General proposed that the President should have the Minister for Foreign Trade, Jussi Linnamo, placed before the High Court of Impeachment. In his May 7th radio and TV speech, the President announced that Minister Linnamo would not be placed before the High Court. In the autumn of 1973 Lindblom and Jyränki were fined. Both made an appeal against the sentence. Mr. Linnamo later resigned.
Minister for Foreign Trade Jussi Linnamo paid an official visit to Romania.
The fourth round of the CSCE preparatory consultations began in Dipoli.
In the CSCE preparations France officially proposed that Finland should host the first stage of the actual conference.
The UN Secretary General, Kurt Waldheim, arrived in Finland for a two-day visit.
Tanzania's Foreign Minister John Malecala arrived in Helsinki to negotiate over development cooperation.
Minister for Foreign Trade, Jermu Laine, and the Secretary General of CMEA, Nikolai Faddeyev, signed the basic treaty on economic cooperation between CMEA and Finland, in Moscow.
Prime Minister Kalevi Sorsa visited Stockholm, where negotiations on the economic relations between the two countries took place.
Finland's UN delegation to the 28th General Assembly was chosen. The chairman of the delegation was to be Foreign Minister Ahti Karjalainen.
President Kekkonen mentioned in his speech in Tampere that equal freedom of communication has not led to equal freedom of speech. Prime Minister Kalevi Sorsa departed on an official visit to Austria.
The EFTA council and EFTA's and Finland's joint council met. Finland was represented by, among others, Minister for Foreign Trade Jermu Laine.
Spain's Minister for Foreign Affairs Gregoria Lopez Bravo arrived in Finland on a three- day official visit.
Agreement was reached in the preparatory CSCE consultations concerning the most difficult question on the agenda, interaction of people over borders.
Finland's Defence Minister Kristian Gestrin began an official visit to Norway.
Finland allowed the Finnish mark to float.
The meeting of the OECD council began at ministerial level in Paris. The chairman of Finland's delegation was Minister Jermu Laine and the vice chairman was Ambassador Ralph Enckell.
In the CSCE preparatory meeting at Dipoli, it was decided that the first stage of the conference would begin on July 3, in the Finlandia Hall.
President Kekkonen observed that racial oppression continuously forms a serious threat to a state of permanent peace. The President spoke at ILO's 58th working conference in Geneva.
Minister for Trade and Industry Jan-Magnus Jansson departed for a two-day official visit to Poland.
The Security Council of the UN extended by a half year the peacekeeping mission of the Finnish UN troops on Cyprus.
India's Foreign Minister Sadar Swaran Singh arrived on an official visit to Finland.
Finland formulated diplomatic relations with Malaysia.
Finland proposed to some CMEA countries negotiations on the dismantling of trade barriers.
A treaty was signed in Berlin on economic, scientific-technical and industrial cooperation between Finland and the German Democratic Republic. At the same time a long-term trade agreement was signed.
The Soviet Union's Minister of Tourism Sergei Nikitin arrived on a one week visit to Finland. The director of the World Health Organization, Halfdan Mahler, arrived on a visit to Finland.
The thirteenth meeting of the permanent commission for economic cooperation between the governments of Finland and the Soviet Union was held in Moscow. Finland was represented by, among others, Foreign Minister Ahti Karjalainen.
Albania refused the Government of Finland's invitation to participate in the first stage of CSCE.
The first stage of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Foreign Minister level stage, began in the Finlandia Hall in Helsinki. At the opening, speeches were given by, among others, President Urho Kekkonen and Secretary General of the UN Kurt Waldheim. The first speech in the CSCE's general debate was given by the Soviet Union's Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko.
Peru's Minister of Fishing, General Javier Tantalea arrived for a short visit in Finland, from where he continued to Moscow.
The Soviet Union presented the secretariat of CSCE her proposal for a basic declaration on the foundations of European security and the principles underlying relations between European states. The Federal Republic of Germany's Foreign Minister Walter Scheel announced that his country would present CSCE her proposals for industrial cooperation, family contacts and exchange of information.
The United States presented CSCE with her year-by year proposal for the goals of the conference's second stage, Poland and Bulgaria presented their proposals for, among other things, cultural cooperation and the spread of information. Denmark proposed an improvement in the contacts of members of families living in different countries and England made four proposals on the exchange of information.
Czechoslovakia proposed that CSCE should consider the establishment of a permanent negotiating organ to deliberate over Europe's questions of security and cooperation. Its members would come from all the countries of Europe, the United States and Canada. The delegation from France, for its part, proposed the enlargement of cultural cooperation. As a result of the negotiations between Finland and the Germanies Foreign Minister Karjalainen announced that in the autumn of 1973, further negotiations on the open questions in the so-called Germany package would be begun with both Germanies.
After the conclusion of the first stage of CSCE, Hungary's Foreign Minister János Peter remained in Finland to participate in the programme of the Hungary Friendship Week being celebrated at the time.
The Soviet Union's Minister for Justice Vladimir Trebilov began an official visit to Finland.
In an appeal given in Helsinki, the World Peace Council condemned France's nuclear weapons tests.
Foreign Minister Karjalainen left for a two-day unofficial visit to the Soviet Union. He was to visit the Leningrad area and the Svetogorsk (Enso) construction site. The President of the Republic departed on a private visit to Iceland.
Foreign Minister Karjalainen met with Malta's Minister for Tourism Paul Xuerebin and Vice Prime Minister Anton Buttigiegin, visiting Finland.
Vice Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, J.N.Zemskov visited Finland.
Minister for Finance Johannes Virolainen departed for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to discuss an increase in trade. Egypt's Minister for Electrical Energy Ahmed Sultan arrived for a four-day visit to Finland.
The meeting of the foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries was held in Stockholm.
Tanzanian Minister Musobi Mageni arrived in Helsinki on a four-day visit.
President Kekkonen and Prime Minister Aleksei Kosygin participated in the laying of the cornerstone of the paper mill being built in Svetogorsk (Enso) by Finnish labour. Hungary's Minister for Light Industry, Mrs. Keseru János, arrived on a visit to Finland.
The official delegation of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, consisting of six members, arrived on a visit to Finland.
Denmark's Queen Margareth, with her husband, Prince Henry, began a state visit to Finland.
Hungary's Minister for the Development of Housing and Cities, Josef Rondor, arrived on a visit to Finland.
The Minister for Foreign Trade, Jermu Laine, departed for the GATT meeting in Tokyo.
The Commander of the Air Force of the Soviet Union, Air marshal P. S. Kutahov, arrived in Finland on a visit.
The government discontinued the carrying out of the development assistance agreement between Finland and Chile. The Left demanded that diplomatic relations with Chile be broken off.
President Urho Kekkonen said that the effects of the events in Chile would not be limited to within the borders of that country.
The second stage of CSCE began in Geneva.
Czechoslavakia's Foreign Trade Minister Andrej Barcak arrived on an official visit to Finland.
Finance Minister Virolainen and the director of the Bank of Finland, Koivisto, travelled to Kenya to participate in an International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting.
The First Secretary of Hungary's Socialist Workers' Party, János Kádar, arrived on a visit to Finland.
The President of the Republic departed for the funeral of Sweden's King Gustaf VI Adolf in Stockholm.
A meeting of maritime ministers was held in London. Finland's delegation was led by Minister for Trade and Industry Jan-Magnus Jansson.
A meeting of maritime ministers was held in London. Finland's delegation was led by Minister for Trade and Industry Jan-Magnus Jansson.
The International Chile Solidarity Conference began in Helsinki. Among others participating was the daughter of the deceased President Allende.
Hungary's Minister for Traffic Gyorgy Csanadi arrived on an official visit to Finland.
Finland signed a free trade agreement with EEC in Brussels. Minister for Education Ulf Sundqvist departed for a visit to Czechoslovakia.
The Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia, Ludomir Strougal, arrived on an official visit to Finland.
The First Vice Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Peter Tantsev, arrived on a three-day visit to Finland.
Prime Minister Kalevi Sorsa departed on a private visit to Yugoslavia.
The Soviet Union's Vice Minister for Foreign Trade N.D. Komarov arrived in Finland for negotiations on the Kostamus project.
Minister for Foreign Trade Jermu Laine travelled to Mongolia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Commander of the Armed Forces, General K. O. Leinonen departed on an official visit to the Soviet Union.
The UN requested that Finland send 800 men on a peace-keeping mission to the Middle East.
The Finnish parliamentary delegation that visited Chile gave a report to the Government on the situation. Denmark's Prime Minister Anker Jorgensen visited Finland.
Minister for Defence Kristian Gestrin traveled on an official visit to the Soviet Union.
Minister for Education Ulf Sundqvist led the first Finnish cultural delegation to Cuba.
The ‘Security Council of the UN accepted the appointment of Major General Ensio Siilasvuo as the permanent commander of the Middle East peace-keeping forces.
The EFTA council and EFTA's and Finland's joint council held a meeting on the ministerial level in Geneva.
Minister for Education Ulf Sundqvist led a Finnish delegation to the peace conference held in Moscow.
Minister for Education Ulf Sundqvist departed for a meeting in Bucharest, Romania, of the Ministers for Education of the European members of UNESCO.
Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sven Andersson, visited Finland. Minister for Communications Pekka Tarjanne left for Moscow to the main celebration of Finland's and Soviet Union's Friendship Month.
Minister for Trade and Industry Jan-Magnus Jansson departed for the Middle East for negotiations on matters relating to Finland's long-range oil supply.
The continued negotiations on open legal and economic questions between Finland and the German Democratic Republic began in Berlin. Among matters discussed in the negotiations was the question of compensations for the Lapland War.
Prime Minister Kalevi Sorsa met Chancellor Willy Brandt in Bonn in connection with Brandt's sixtieth birthday.