Carl Enckell

He also served as foreign minister in four short-lived cabinets during the early politically turbulent years of the young republic.

Enckell moved back to work in the financial sector in the 1920s but made a return to politics as Foreign Minister in 1944.

He led Finland out from Second World War and contributed to establishing friendly relations with the Soviet Union and the new Finnish foreign policy, the Paasikivi–Kekkonen doctrine.

[1] Salaries in the military had stayed behind the business and industry, and in 1899 Enckell begun engineering studies in Dresden University of Technology, in Germany.

After three years of studies he graduated as Mechanical Engineer and returned to Finland with his German wife Lucy Ponsonby-Lyons.

[1] Enckell aimed to keep production in balance in the turbulent market, as the Finnish engineering industry faced both up- and downswings.

As a representative of the Senate, Enckell worked hard to persuade foreign governments and the Bolshevik leadership to support the Finnish pursuit of independence.

A Finnish delegation, which comprised Enckell, Gustaf Idman and Regent of Finland Pehr Evind Svinhufvud, visited the Bolshevik government.

After managing complicated political questions successfully in Saint Petersburg, Paris and the League of Nations, Enckell became reputable for his excellent diplomatic skills.

Enckell took part again in activities in employers' organisations and worked in positions of trust in a number of Finnish companies.

[1] Enckell returned to politics in September 1944 when he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in Antti Hackzell's cabinet.

In 1948 Enckell took part in negotiations with the Soviet Union, after which the countries signed the Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, that became a cornerstone for the Finnish foreign policy until the early 1990s.