Luxembourg, Lisbon, Prague…and closing of my blog

Year 2009 will mean for me 145 travelling days, from which 47 are domestic ones in Finland and 98 will be spent abroad.  I consider this as a high figure.

Monthly extra working time (in reality working my working time has been and is 24 hours per day seven days a week) outside official office hours has been from 10 to 25 extra working days per month.

I am not complaining.  I also like my duties as a CEPI President (www.cepi.eu) as well as a Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of REIM Group (www.reimgroup.com).  But one fact is that I am obliged to priorise my time using (spending).

I was 18.-22.11.09 in Luxembourg where CEPI Presidents meeting, CEAB CEPI and EPAG Boards, CEPI Working Groups, CEPI European Real Estate Convention, CEPI Gala Dinner, CEPI Discussion Forum, EPAG CEAB and CEPI General Assemblies took place.  We had good, efficient and creative days in Luxembourg.  I just want still once to thank you our collegues in Luxembourg, who made our days a success!

We also made in Luxembourg important decisions.  I as a CEPI President, Claudine Speltz as a CEAB President and Jan Boruvka as a EPAG President were elected unanimously to continue our work.  Thank you all for the trust to us!  We will do our best for CEPI and it´s members!

More from Luxembourg you can read from CEPI Web Site in address www.cepi.eu

After Luxembourg I was in Lisbon, Portugal, 26.-29.11.09, due to REIM Group´s participation in REM-partnership (www.rem.fi).  38 decison makers in real estate field together in a good spirit.

3.-5.12. I was in Tampere (www.tampere.fi) in Finland, where we had many REIM Group meetings and XXI Annual Meeting of Managing Directors of REIM Group (avec).  Tampere was also a success story.  Thank you our collegues in Tampere, you made a great work to make everything possible.

6th of December is always the Independence Day of Finland.  This time it was 92nd celebration.

Now I am writing this in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, where we will have CEPI Presidents meeting and CEPI Board meeting.  Prague is today an European city, in the heart of Europe.  It is great to feel the big change within the last twenty years!  Back to Finland I will fly on Sunday 13th of December.

Still I will travel to St. Petersburg, Russia, for three days in week 51/09, due to REIM work duties, and partly also for CEPI items.

After that on Monday evening 21st of December the Club of Lappeenranta will have the traditional annual St. Thomas´ Day Event with traditional dinner, which will guide me, as well as many others, to real Christmas time.

Christmas is in my home country, as almost everywhere in our great Europe, dedicated to family.

While facing the facts about my timetable at the beginning of my today´s blog, I came into a conclusion that I cannot continue to update my blog in future any more, unfortunately, despite I would like to do so.  From www.cepi.eu and from www.reimgroup.com you will in future find “what´s going on”, as well as I will continue as a columnist for Suomen Kiinteistölehti (The Finnish Real Estate Magazine), which nowaday has more than 100 000 permanent readers.

This is my last international blog (domestic Finnish blog I already closed a little bit earlier this autumn).  I sincerely thank you all my readers, as well as I am deeply moved from many interesting, positive comments which I had the privilege to receive.

I wish  you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year 2010!

Timo Multanen

www.cepi.eu

www.reimgroup.com

www.reimgroup.ru

timo.multanen@cepi.eu

timo.multanen@reimgroup.com

Czech President Vaclav Klaus signs EU Lisbon Treaty into law

Now it has happened, Vaclav Klaus, the Czech president, has signed yesterday on 3rd of November, the EU Lisbon Treaty into law after a court cleared the final legal obstacle standing in its way.

But what does it mean, while all EU countries now have signed the Lisbon treaty?

- it means there will be a president and minister for foreign affairs representing EU

- there will be more power to EU parliament concerning justice-, security and immigration fields

- the number of MEP´s will increase from the existing 736 to 750

- member states have possibilities to make more majority decsions, among them justice and police affairs, while in past ununimous decisions were needed

- there will be a possibility to make  a civil initiative to the commission, needed a million signed citizens from several EU member states

 

Munich and Poznan V

To continue to the end this Munich and Poznan true life story I was in the last part with my wife taking off from Munich airport on Thursday 8th of October towards Poznan in Poland.  The flight took time 1 hour 50 minutes.  After a taxi drive from the Poznan airport to IBB Andersia hotel in the centre we were accommodated in a very good four star hotel,  which we considered as a five star hotel (due to our experience around the world).

Thursday afternoon was decicated to CEPI-work (www.cepi.eu) in a great hotel room, with a view over the roofs of Poznan city, and for a light late afternoon lunch in the hotel, which was a good one.  In the evening we met at the hotel a Polish couple, our friends, who had arrived from Gdansk, to the same meeting as I myself.  We discussed and prepared for the next days in Poznan.

On Friday 9th started the IX Congress of the Polish Federation of Property Managers Associations in hotel Andersia, where I also had my CEPI-speech about the current real estate field topics.  The Congress itself included several interesting topics which was interesting to consider and at the same time to understand which topics are most important in Poland, which is today an important EU-country also.

In the late afternoon I had a meeting with the top leaders of the three Polish Associations, PREF (http://www.pfrn.pl), PFSZN (http://www.pfszn.pl) and PFZN (http://www.pfzn.pl).   We had a good, fruitful, concrete discussions in a great athmosphere.

The eveing itself still included a nice Banquet, and I and my wife were invited to the table of VIP´s.  We also learned during the evening that Polish collegues are great dancers, and in Poland they have a high dance culture. 

On Saturday the Congress continued.  While everybody were leaving for they homes around Poland on Saturday afternoon, we wanted to say to everyone: thank you!  It was great to see you all nice Polish collegues!

We (I and my wife) stayed still in Poznan with our friends, and collegues, from Gdansk until Sunday in Poznan.  This gave us a possibility to see and learn from Poznan, it´s culture, as well as Polish culture.  We for example visited the oldest cathedral in the country, Poznan´s cathedral.  The city itself today has about 560,000 inhabitants, and is located on the Warta River.  It is one of the oldest cities in Poland, making it and important historical centre and vibrant centre of trade, industry, and education.  Poznan is Poland´s fifth largest city and fourth biggest industrial centre.  It is also the administrative capital of the Greater Poland Voivodeship.

More information from this interesting city one will easily find from: http://www.poznan.pl/

We ended our nice Saturday (10.10.) in Poznan by a delicious typical Polish gastronomical dinner Bamberg style – thanks for that to our Polish friends.

Then it was time to wake up on Sunday 11th of October, say goodbye to our Polish friends, who started their drive towards Gdansk.  We took off by Lufthansa´s flight 16:45 to Frankfurt, landing 18:05 after 1:20 flight.  19:20 we were in another Lufthansa´s plane towards Helsinki.  Flying time was 2:40 and we were landing 22:40 local time in Helsinki-Vantaa airport.  After driving 2 hours 30 minutes 01:30 am we were home.

One interesting week, with a lot of activities, and also results.  It could be considered a good CEPI (www.cepi.eu) working week in Munich and Poznan.

Matti Rönkä: Mies rajan takaa

I finished yesterday reading Matti Rönkä´s book “Ystävät kaukana” (Friends Faraway) (first published in 2005).  It is included into one book with another two Matti Rönkä´s books: “Tappajan näköinen mies” (A Man Looking like a Killer) (2002) and “Hyvä veli, paha veli” (Good brother, bad brother).  The main charachter of these books is Mr. Viktor Kärppä, who has moved from Sortavala (former Finland before the second world war), Russia, to Finland.

Writer himself is a news anchor on the Finnish television, just reached his 50-years.  His books are translated today in Germany at least, and are quite popular Viktor Kärppä detectives.  Worth reading.

At least I enjoyed very much those 613 pages of the mentioned three books.

What is prosperity, and how is it achieved? www.prosperity.com

From www.prosperity.com you will find interesting information and country ranking.

Following a turbulent year marked by a global economic crisis, the Legatum Prosperity Index seeks to answer these two fundamental above.  It defines prosperity as both wealth and wellbeing, and finds that the most prosperous nations in the world are not necessarily those that have only a high GDP, but are those that also have happy, healthy, and free citizens.

Finland tops this year´s Index, with the United States ranking ninth, ahead of large European nations such as Britain, Germany and France, which all still make the top 20.  Finland is narrowly ahead of Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.  Zimbabwe ranks last, following Yemen and Sudan.

But better for you to click www.prosperity.com and review yourself…

Paulo Coelho: O Alquimista

I  finished reading Paulo Coelho´s novel “O Alquimista” in my native language in Finnish.  I sincerely recommend this book by the Brazilian writen (born 1947). which has been translated into 66 languages and sold more than 30 million copies.  It is really worth reading.

More information: www.paulocoelho.com

Munich and Poznan IV, and St. Petersburg

I was on a business trip in St. Petersburg, Russia, 21.-23.10. (Wednesday-Friday), including full and efficient program.  I also visited the office of the Russian Guild of Property Managers and Developers (www-gud-estate.ru), discussing with the Managing Director and Deputy Director for Foreign Relations.

On Saturday (24.10.) I worked about five hours at my office in Lappeenranta (www.lappeenranta.fi).  On the same evening we were invited to celebrate our good lady friend´s 50-years at “Linnoituksen Krouvi” restaurant at the old town of Lappeenranta.  Good food, wine, program, excellent band, great athmosphere – and good friends.  Really nice.  Thank you for all present!  It was about 02:00 while we arrived home.

I decided to stay home on Sunday (25.10.) having a day out of work.  Winter time had also started and the time of clocks were changed.  I finished my 14th Agatha Christie´s Hercule Poirot book in English, which was in 1936 published “Cards on the Table”.

But back to the topic of the headline, to Munich, were the last day of my CEPI (www.cepi.eu) visit had started by 08:30 am meeting between CEPI and CEI.  After one and half hours´ meeting we signed the “Communique of CEPI and CEI” which probably will be an important document in future!

After that meeting I travelled with my German friend, Managing Director of IVD (www.ivd.net), to ExpoReal, where I took part into an international panel at IVD´s stand, and walked with my German friend around the whole ExpoReal about two hours, having good discussions.

Then it was time to take U-bahn back to Hauptbahnhof and meet my wife at our hotel.  We had a long walk in downtown of Munich ending for a typical Bavarian late afternoon lunch at the restaurant of Ratskeller(www.ratkskeller.com)

Still we had another evening walk visiting bierstube Augustiner-Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) and had also in another place a light Bavarian dinner.

As a summary I could admit that I could be satisfied about the results of this CEPI working trip to Munich.  Thanks to all collegues, friends, with whom I met in Munich.

Now it was time to order a taxi for the morning (with many luggages) 07:30 am on the morning of Thursday 8.10.  09:40 would LOT´s flight to Poznan in Poland take off from the Munich airport.

Munich and Poznan III

While writing this I enjoy “Kabanos Wieprzowy extra premium” from Tarczynski by Wykonany wedlug straropolskiej tradycji.  It means that I have delicious sausages bought from Poznan, Poland.  This is the connection to my headline.

When I write this after a real hard and busy week at work I on yesterday Friday evening (16.10.) was watching television at home.  21:00 started on TV Nelonen a USA film from year 1991 “Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear” starring Leslie Nielsen as comisar Drebin.  Director of the film is David Zucker.  After it started on MTV3 another American film “All the President´s men” from 1976 (133 min), directed by Alan J. Pakula.  Main roles are played by Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford.  Dustinn Hoffman even practised four months at Washington Post for his role.  Comparing Watergate to our small existing scandals in different European countries one can understand how big a happening it was!

But let´s go back to Munich, while I was with my collegues in U-bahn travelling from the Hauptbahnhof to ExpoReal (www.exporeal.net) which was a much faster transportation form comparing to a taxi, while one considers the traffic in Munich.

After receiving an Expo pass a short visit to IVD´s (www.ivd.net) stand where CEPI (www.cepi.eu) had it´s place, and then to the first panel at St. Petersburg´s stand, where CEPI member association Russian Guild of Property Managers and Developers (GMD) (www.gud-estate.ru) arranged a discussion.  I was among CEAB EPAG Presidents, CEPI Past President and IVD´s Managing Director taking part as panelists into that discussion.

At the early afternoon there was another panel at IVD´s stand about the situation with crises on the European and global real estate field.  I was also one of the panelists.

There was also two hours meeting between CEPI and CEI (www.webcei.com) top leaders in a very fruitful way.

And it was already then time for me to take U-bahn back towards hotel, because I had received information that our luggage would be carried to our hotel during the afternoon by Lufthansa!

Funny thing was that IVD´s President told to me that at IVD´s International evening dressing code would be very casual, and he would change his black suite to jeans.  I laughed that now when I would have my suites available, I still will use jeans!  But I was very happy to pick another jacket and new shirt from my just received luggate at our hotel.  My wife was also very happy about the luggage case.

IVD´s International Dinner took place in Restaurant Marktwirt at address Heiliggeistrasse 2.  It was a typical Bavarian restaurant.  Most of us tasted pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe) with cabbage (Kraut), which is a typical Bavarian dish.  And it was tasty!  And local German bear fitted with it perfectly. We had a nice evening in very friendful athmosphere with friends and collegues from really many different countries.  If I remember right there were Americans, Austrian, Belgian, Chezch, Dutch, Finns, Germans,  Hungarians, Portugueses, Slovacian…

It was already midnight when we arrived into our hotel.  There would be still one whole day in Munich, and after that flight to Poznan, Poland.

Münich and Poznan II

Münich is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany.  It is located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps.  Münich is the third largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg.  There are about 1.35 million people living within city limits, while the Münich Metropolitan Area (including the urban areas of Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Rosenheim and Landshut) is home to over 5 million people.

The city´s motto is “München mag Dich” (“Münich Loves You” in the English version).  Before 2006, it was “Welstadt mit Herz” (cosmopolitan city with a heart).  Its native name, München, is derived from the Old German word for Mönche, which means “Monks” in English.

Munich lies on the elevated plains of  Upper Bavaria, about 50 km north of the northern edge of the Alps, at an altitude of about 520 m ASL (above sea level).

Munich competes with Hamburg about to be the strongest economy of any German city.  The city is also the economic centre of southern Germany.  Munich is also considered a global city and holds headquarters of Siemens AG, BMW, MAN AG, Linde (gases), Allianz (insurance) and Munich Re (re-insurance), Rohde & Schwarz (electronics).

Münich is the place for ExpoReal (www.exporeal.net), which starts every year right after the famous Oktoberfest, one of the Munich´s most famous attractions.  For two weeks, the Oktoberfest attracts millions of people visiting its beer tents (“Bierzelte”) and fairground attractions.  The Oktoberfest was first held on 12 October 1810 in honour of the marriage of crown prince Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.  Despite its name, most of Oktoberfest occurs in September.  It always finishes on the first Sunday in October unless the German national holiday on 3 October (“Tag der deutschen Einheit” – Day of German Unity) is a Monday or Tuesday – then the Oktoberfest remains open for these days.

I left with my wife Finland on Monday 3rd of October, the same day when ExpoReal 2009 started.  After the check-in at Helsinki-Vantaa airport we met my old friend, who is now on a pension, and was in past the Managing Director of the Finnish Federation of Property Owners, with her wife.  They were going to fly in the same plane with us to Munich, and continue to Marseille in France, while they have had their second home in Provence already for more than 10 years.  Sometimes we can feel “small world”.

Just before boarding we received information that there had started not before informed strike by Lufthansa airport ground services in Helsinki-Vantaa, and all luggage on board from Münich would fly back to Münich, and all luggage already checked-in for Münich would stay in Helsinki and sent afterwards to Münich.

While having jeans on and a jacket, knowing that on Tuesday 4th of October I would be a panelist at ExpoReal, my feeling was not the best one.  Of course for women (my wife) the situation was also a bad one, because ladies need more different kind of liquids in their daily life than men.  But one has to live what he or she has and admit the realities of life!

And so the boarding started.  We landed about 20 minutes late after 3:00 pm in Munich.  After formalities with the claims for our luggage at the Munich airport we took a train with CEPI´s (www.cepi.eu) Managing Director, who had been waiting for us at the airport, arriving from Brussels.  From the train I had to call to my Hungarian collegues that unfortunately I will be late from our meeting, and we agreed to cancel our agreed meeting.  They were already present at the agreed place.

Registration at the hotel Europäischer Hof (www.heh.de) near the Hauptbahnhof (central railway station), quick shopping (needed liquids for my wife, three shirts for me and one tie) we were back at our hotel.  Lufthansa had given to us also two bags of most important personal items starting from tootbrush, tootpaste etc.

19:45 we met at the hotel lobby our two German collegues (President of IVG and Managing Director of IVG) with other before agreed representatives of CEPI (CEAB EPAG Presidents, CEPI Past President and CEPI Managing Director) heading for a dinner and to negotiate for the program of the next two days.  Place for that was restaurant “Dukatz in the Schäfflerhof Munchen” (www.dukatz.de).  That eveningmeeting was important as we later on good notice.  It was about 24:00 while we were back at hotel.  We had agreed that 08:30 on the next morning we would already leave our hotel by U-Bahn for ExpoReal.

Münich and Poznan I

I was 5.-8.10.09 in Münich, Germany, conntected to ExpoReal (www.exporeal.net) and 8.-11.10.09 in Poznan, Poland, taking part into the Congress of the Polish Federation of Property Managers Associations (www.pfszn.pl), due to my duties as a CEPI President (www.cepi.eu).  A whole week from Monday to Sunday with quite vivid program.

Arrival to Finland took place on Sunday 11.10. 22:30 while Lufthansa´s flight from Frankfurt was 20 minutes ahead when landing into Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Finland.  Still car drive to home city Lappeenranta (www.lappeenranta.fi).  At home 01:30 am in the middle of night, and to bed about 02:00 am.  Wake up on Monday morning 12.10. 06:30 am after 4 hours and 30 minutes sleep.  New week at work ahead.

I will write later on more from Münich and Poznan in the next “Chapters”.  While arriving back to Finland I used time at Poznan´s and Frankfurt´s airports and on planes by reading to the end my thirteenth Agatha Christie´s Herculo Poirot book.  This time it was “The ABC Murders” from year 1936.  The same year when my father was born.  While there are 39 Hercule Poirot novels, I have now read one third of them, all in original English language.