SPEECH DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION

OF THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF

FRIENDSHIP, COOPERATION AND MUTUAL

ASSISTANCE BETWEEN THE SOVIET UNION

AND FINLAND

April 6, 1948

Mr. Prime Minister, Gentlemen.
The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual As-
sistance between; the Soviet Union and Finland signed
today constitutes an important stage in the development of
Soviet-Finnish relations. This Treaty is aimed at prevent-
ing a repetition of German aggression and will serve to
promote the development of friendly relations between our
countries and the -consolidation of peace in Europe.
It must be admitted that the time was ripe for the con-
clusion of such a treaty. Accordingly, the letter addressed
by J. V. Stalin, the head of the Soviet Government, to
Mr. Paasikivi, President of Finland, expressed the desire
"to create the1 conditions for a radical improvement of
relations between our countries with a view to consolidating
peace and security."
In this connection, negotiations were conducted in these
past days between the Soviet lUnion and Finland for the
conclusion of the Treaty, and the draft submitted by the
Government of Finland was taken as the basis for this
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