Martti Ahtisaari Quotes

All conflicts can be resolved. Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by human beings. There are always interests that are furthered by war. Therefore those who have power and influence can also stop them. Peace is a question of will.

There is a lot of hard work that needs to be done

To protect women in times of war, we must first make sure women receive equal rights in times of peace.

The progress has to start now.

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.

It's very important to be able to act properly. You need financing, and you never have enough.

The views of the Contact Group member-states must be taken seriously, as well as the guidelines set out in their document on Kosovo, which clearly says that the province should not be divided.

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.

There are certain standards, like the protection of minorities and the improvement in their lives that have to be improved now.

The ability of the countries within the region to cooperate and establish good-neighborly relations ... will be an important criterion for evaluating their prospects of full integration with the European Union.