Accepting state as one's own requires inner conviction - Estonian president

15.03.2008

Ilves said that accepting the state as one's own and contributing to its development requires from all people living in Estonia mutual respect along with the inner conviction that it is safe to live, work and establish a family in Estonia, spokespeople for the president said.

One's ability to speak the official language, espousing of European values and knowledge of Estonia's history are central among the basic prerequisites for mutual understanding, said the president.

Even though the people and the peoples who live here often have a different past, we all have a common future -- Estonia as a state of free and knowledgeable citizens, he said.

The president said that without active contribution from residents the integration plan will remain a mere piece of paper.

Ilves said he hopes that the plan will be viewed not as a national directive but as a set of ideas put forward by scientists and experts to all people living in Estonia to be mulled together and acted by together.

Population Minister Urve Palo, who presented the national integration plan for the years 2008-2013 to the president, expressed the hope that when people feel good living side by side in Estonia they will accept the state as their own and contribute to its development.

"The more there are people who are actively participating in the life of the society, the bigger are the opportunities for development of the entire country," the minister was quoted as saying.

"Integration Plan 2008-2013" is a follow-up to the state program "Integration in Estonian Society 2000-2007." Its purpose is to support the sense of belonging to the Estonian society of every permanent resident on the basis of common values and command of the official language, the office of the president said.

About 100 people on different levels were involved in the drawing up of the new plan and its implementation plan.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8861, sise@bns.ee