Former Prime Minister Harri Holkeri remembered by Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen

Former Prime Minister Harri Holkeri was a respected political figure with great integrity and adherence to principles. He served the country and the Finnish people all his life as a Member of Parliament, Leader of the National Coalition Party, Board Member of the Bank of Finland and as Prime Minister.

Harri Holkeri was a person who created an atmosphere of trust even in difficult situations – a personal characteristic that helped him achieve results also in major international duties. Brokering peace in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, and serving as U.N. General Assembly president were significant international tasks promoting peace, human rights and democracy, of which we can be very proud.

Besides being a great statesman, Harri Holkeri was well respected and admired by his fellow party members of the National Coalition Party. During his long and distinguished career, the party’s honorary chairman served the party as party secretary and party leader, was twice the party’s candidate in presidential elections and became the party’s first Prime Minister since Paasikivi.

The sorrow of the departure of Harri Holkeri is shared by us all.