53 Quotes by Martti Ahtisaari

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

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.

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

Mediators do not choose the conflicts they became involved in, but the parties to the conflict choose the mediator. Their participation as intermediaries is based on the trust of all the conflicting parties.

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.

I expect that we will continue with the process and I don't think that it will have any negative effect on our process.

It is clear a Palestinian state is needed.

I think we have been able to clarify issues, ... I do not want to say it does not mean that in all details we agree 100 percent.

I saw an advertisement to work for a Swedish institute in Karachi in Pakistan. I had just been offered a permanent assignment, teaching in Oulu. But I felt, 'My God, I am not going to stay here forever.' You know why? Because I was following international events.