Martti Ahtisaari

Martti Ahtisaari

Martti Ahtisaari (born 23 June 1937) is a Finnish politician and diplomat who served as the tenth President of Finland from 1994 to 2000. A member of the Social Democratic Party. Ahtisaari has received numerous awards for his work as a peace negotiator, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008.

Early life and career

Ahtisaari was born in Viipuri, Finland (now Vyborg, Russia) in 1937. He studied political science at the University of Helsinki and graduated in 1965. After graduation, Ahtisaari worked as a journalist for the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE).

In 1973, Ahtisaari was appointed as the Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania. He served in this role until 1977, when he was appointed as the Finnish Ambassador to the United Nations. Ahtisaari served as the Finnish Ambassador to the United Nations until 1982, when he was appointed as the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Presidency

Ahtisaari was elected President of Finland in 1994. He served as President until 2000. During his presidency, Ahtisaari was a leading advocate for peace and human rights. He played a key role in the negotiations that led to the end of the Bosnian War in 1995.

Peace negotiations

Ahtisaari has been involved in numerous peace negotiations throughout his career. In addition to his work in Bosnia, Ahtisaari has also been involved in peace negotiations in Kosovo, Aceh, and Cyprus. Ahtisaari's efforts as a peace negotiator have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards for his work.

Nobel Peace Prize

In 2008, Ahtisaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his "important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts". The Nobel Committee specifically cited Ahtisaari's work in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Aceh as examples of his commitment to peace.

Legacy

Ahtisaari is widely regarded as one of the world's most successful peace negotiators. He has been praised for his patience, perseverance, and diplomatic skills. Ahtisaari's work has helped to resolve conflicts in a number of countries and has made a significant contribution to world peace.

Personal life

Ahtisaari is married to Eeva Ahtisaari. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Ahtisaari is a keen sportsman and enjoys skiing, tennis, and golf. He is also a passionate advocate for environmental protection.