ABSTRACT
Finland took advantage of international détente and proposed, on 5 May 1969, to all European nations, the United States, and Canada, that a carefully prepared conference on European security be arranged. In March 1969, the Warsaw Pact made a new proposal on the preparations for the conference. Finland received the proposal on 8 March 1969 and took a serious interest in it after a meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization's foreign ministers' which was held three days later. Finland's initiative also stated that all participants should have the right to express their own ideas and proposals concerning European issues. In the proposal, Finland also cited the objectives set by the Nordic foreign ministers' meeting. After the submission of the proposal, the discussion on the conference gained momentum, it was important for Finland that it be informed about progress achieved in various contacts and consultations because Finland was a host candidate for the conference it had proposed.
