HELSINKI, 10 October 2008 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, congratulated former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today.

"This is a historic day for Finland. Today all of us are surely proud and happy for President Ahtisaari," Stubb said. "The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to President Ahtisaari is magnificent recognition for his life's work in conflict solving and peace promotion."

In March 2003, Ahtisaari was appointed the OSCE Chairman-in-Office's personal envoy for Central Asia by Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, then the Dutch Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman. He remained personal envoy for Central Asia the following year, under the Bulgarian OSCE Chairmanship. As envoy, he travelled frequently to the region to encourage democratic developments.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Ahtisaari was awarded the prize for his contribution to the resolution of conflicts and noted his "constructive contributions to the resolution of conflicts in Northern Ireland, in Central Asia and on the Horn of Africa".