Martti Ahtisaari quotes

Martti Ahtisaari was a Finnish diplomat and politician who served as President of Finland. Known for his extensive work in international peace mediation, he played a key role in resolving conflicts around the world. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to promoting peace and reconciliation. Here are 32 of his quotes:

I think it's a disgrace for the international community that we have allowed so many conflicts to become frozen, and we are not making a serious effort to solve them. (Martti Ahtisaari)
It's very important to be able to act properly. You need financing, and you never have enough. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
Since I know that about a million people have been killed by the government of Iraq, I do not need much those weapons of mass destruction. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
During the next 10 years about 1.2 billion young 15-to-30-year-olds will be entering the job market and with the means now at our disposal about 300 million will get a job. What will we offer these young, about a billion of them? - or will we leave them to be recruited by criminal leagues and terrorists? ... I think this is one of the greatest challenges if we want to achieve peaceful development and hope for these young. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
We are convinced that Turkey would be a useful member of the European Union. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
Normally, I like to eat at home. We don't go out much. The food at home is so good. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
I'm concerned when certain movements or countries have been isolated from the international dialogue because then you have no way of influencing them. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
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. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
There are always interests that are furthered by war. Therefore, those who have power and influence can also stop them... we should not accept any excuses from those in power. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
You have to be rather straightforward with your clients. You can't tell the parties only nice things. This is not an entertainment show; it's not reality television either. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
You have to be rather straightforward with your clients. You can't tell the parties only nice things. (Martti Ahtisaari)
During the next 10 years about 1.2 billion young 15-to-30-year-olds will be entering the job market and with the means now at our disposal about 300 million will get a job. What will we offer these young, about a billion of them? View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by human beings. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
If the political will is there, we can solve anything. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
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. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
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. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
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. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
Luck has a lot to do with how your life develops. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
The mere fact that I'm former head of state and former under-secretary in the U.N. system, it means that I can get in touch with anybody in the world, in theory. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
In the last year of my presidency, I travelled 200 days out of 365. You have to lead a very disciplined life. To be able to do that, I need a lot of sleep. But I have no problems sleeping. On long days, I can easily take a nap for 20 minutes in the afternoon. (Martti Ahtisaari)
Religions themselves are... peace-loving. They can also be a constructive force in peace-building, and this also applies to the Middle East. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
I have no superhuman powers. If people don't want to make peace, there is nothing I can do. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
I'm one of those people who, as long as I am still healthy and my thoughts are more or less clear, I don't think I can retire entirely. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari
If one has problems with immigrant communities in Europe, that should not be used against Turkey. View quote
Martti Ahtisaari