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Estonian Review 25 - 31 March 2009
03.04.2009
80th ANNIVERSARY OF LENNART MERI'S BIRTH
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
80th ANNIVERSARY OF LENNART MERI'S BIRTH
President Lennart Meri Played Leading Role on Estonian Political Stage
29 March - If Lennart Meri were to wish something for Europe today, it would be that everyone who strives for freedom, for democracy, and for the rule of law should be extended a helping hand and given a chance, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said in his opening remarks at the third Lennart Meri Conference on Sunday.
Ilves said President Meri played a leading role on the Estonian political stage for nearly fifteen years, during which Estonia became what it is today -- a democracy governed by the rule of law, a member of the European Union and of NATO.
"Yet let us imagine ourselves back at the end of the tumultuous 1980s. What occurred then need not have gone the way it did, even if many today see it all as self-evidently pre-ordained," he said, observing that at the time the independence of Estonia and the other Baltic states was not considered in the West as necessary.
"To the contrary -- insofar as the Western powers until August 1991 considered perestroika the best thing they could imagine happening on this side of the Iron Curtain after World War II, the attempts of the Baltic countries to break free from the Soviet empire were seen as unnecessarily rocking the boat and that this could disrupt a long-desired idyll," Ilves said. "Without a credible, convincing, but first of all an erudite advocate, our quest for freedom would not have made itself heard, much less understood. I am not sure we would have been heard out."
Like Lech Walesa in Poland and Vaclav Havel in the Czech Republic, it was Lennart Meri who became the spokesman of the Baltic countries' aspiration for freedom, Ilves said.
"He could not be brushed off or dismissed, as he was wiser and cleverer than many of his interlocutors. He was in his element in the waters of international diplomacy, and made excellent use of his perfect knowledge of a number of foreign languages," Ilves said, observing that Meri provided a striking contrast to all the other diplomats and foreign policy experts from ex-Soviet countries.
"Meri created a new reality. He showed Estonia and the Estonians, our resolve and our goals as different. If you will, as Western... And he did this so convincingly that many of us started in fact to feel Western, different, special, and -- to be honest -- even to feel superior," Ilves said.
He added that 15-20 years ago Estonians were neither superior, nor more special, nor inferior to other nations. "We were taken seriously in the early 1990s because our spokesperson was Lennart Meri," he stated.
Estonia was lucky to have Lennart Meri in crucial times, Ilves said. "But this good luck should be what enables us to understand those who lack a Lennart of their own. We see the potential of those countries despite the absence of such spokespersons. We understand that if we give a country or a people a chance, if we give them the necessary benefit of the doubt, as we were once given, then it might just happen that they too will become our allies, fellow member states of the European Union," Ilves said.
The Lennart Meri Conference that opened in Tallinn on Sunday is going to discuss key issues of foreign and security policy in Europe and the world.
Lennart Meri, the first president of Estonia after restoration of independence, would have marked his 80th birthday on March 29.
FOREIGN NEWS
Paet: Hesitation Could Hinder Reforms in Western Balkans
28 March - During the informal meeting of the European Union foreign ministers (Gymnich meeting) in Hluboká nad Vlatvou in the Czech Republic, the EU foreign ministers focused on the Western Balkan nations growing closer to the EU. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that hesitation by the EU member states regarding continuing support for the Western Balkan nations would be a clear setback.
Foreign Minister Paet said that some slowdown is noticeable in the development of relations between the EU and the Western Balkan nations. The EU must take supporting the reform of the Western Balkan nations completely seriously. We should move forward now with Montenegro's accession application in the same way we have worked with such applications in the past, Paet added.
Paet also said that it is positive that the first round of presidential and local elections carried out in Macedonia* took place without problems, and the upcoming second round must also correspond to all international standards.
Paet believes that moving forward swiftly with visa facilitation is also very important, the ultimate goal being visa freedom with the Western Balkan nations as soon as possible. For example, Serbia and Macedonia have fulfilled a majority of the requirements, so it is time for the EU to make a decision regarding visa freedom. Addressing each nation individually is essential, he added.
Paet stated that the effects of the current economic crisis are very severe in the Western Balkans and that this is another area in which the EU could offer support.
In talking about developments in Kosovo, Paet remarked that the EU mission EULEX Kosovo must regain its capabilities this spring and be constantly present in the northern part of Kosovo.
*Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Adopting the Euro Will Strengthen European Economic Environment
30 March - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Portuguese Foreign Minister Luís Filipe Marques Amado, who was in Estonia for an official visit. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet expressed his satisfaction that the first visit ever to Estonia by a Portuguese foreign minister has taken place.
Paet introduced Estonia's plans for joining the euro-zone with his Portuguese colleague. Estonia wishes to join the euro-zone under the existing criteria and procedures. We do not want exceptions to be made; we want to fulfil all the criteria and receive a positive decision on that basis, so that for example in the year 2011 it would be possible for Estonia to begin using the euro, emphasised the Estonian foreign minister.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Amado stated that the effects of the current global economic crisis would be much harsher in Portugal if the nation had not adopted the euro.
In light of the upcoming European Union-United States summit, the foreign ministers addressed the topic of Europe-USA relations. Foreign Minister Paet recognised his colleague for his efforts towards actively raising transatlantic topics in the European Union. Estonia, like Portugal, considers a tight partnership based on common values between the European Union and the USA to be very important for guaranteeing security and stability in Europe and all over the world, said Paet. At the moment, it is essential for the EU, in its relations with the USA, to intensify all kinds of co-operation, including in the energy security sector, stated Paet. He also emphasised that in the circumstances of the global financial crisis, intensifying co-operation between the European Union and the United States is essential for preventing the spread of protectionist economic policies in the world.
The Estonian and Portuguese foreign ministers agreed that the current economic difficulties and complications in implementing the Treaty of Lisbon should not hinder the further enlargement of the European Union. It is crucial to complete accession negotiations with Croatia, and it is equally important to move forward with other candidate states in order to guarantee the preservation of their accession prospects and their motivation to implement reforms, Paet noted.
During the meeting with his Portuguese colleague, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised the value of cultural contacts between the two nations: Portuguese language instruction takes place in both Tartu and Tallinn Universities, and both universities have, in accordance with a co-operation agreement, a scholarship for language study in Portugal, Paet said, expressing his satisfaction over co-operation with Portugal.
The foreign ministers also discussed European Neighbourhood Policy Eastern Partnership and including Belarus in the Neighbourhood Policy. Foreign Minister Paet emphasised that the Eastern Partnership must become a concrete policy that will be an effective medium for allowing target states to become closer to the EU. When talking about Belarus, Paet emphasised the need for a strict and conditional yet positive policy. Prerequisites for including Belarus in the Neighbourhood Policy must be progress in the nation and a desire to move forward with reforms based on democratic values and ensuring the basic rights of citizens, said Paet.
On the initiative of the Portuguese foreign minister, the two also talked about the Mediterranean Union. Foreign Minister Paet expressed hope that the co-operation of the union, which was halted due to the military activity in Gaza, will see positive development and the Arab nations will continue co-operation with their Mediterranean partners.
Foreign Minister Speaks at Afghanistan Conference
31 March - In his speech at the Afghanistan conference in The Hague, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that Afghanistan and the international community must clearly define the goals to be met on both the governmental and provincial levels in Afghanistan. Estonia plans to continue contributing to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and supporting its security, and we are looking for opportunities to increase our military contributions and diversify our reconstruction activities, stressed Foreign Minister Paet.
The foreign minister mentioned the upcoming presidential election as the most important event for Afghanistan in the near future. Paet emphasised that if the impending Afghan presidential election is carried out without any significant problems, it would be an important step in building up Afghan institutions and increasing the trust of the people in the central authorities. If the elections are honest and free, then the conditions will be right for getting a president and government with a clear mandate into office, he stated. We also feel it is important to send a full-scale international election monitoring mission to Afghanistan. The participation of non-governmental Afghan organisations in the election monitoring would also help to increase the credibility of the elections, Paet added.
While talking about the effectiveness of aid targeted at Afghanistan, the Estonian foreign minister emphasised the important role that UN Special Representative Kai Eide and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) play in co-ordinating the aid of international organisations. There are a lot of donors in Afghanistan. For the sake of more successful results, there is a need to create a general database of donors and their contributions, said Paet.
From the standpoint of the reconstruction of Afghanistan, the Estonian foreign minister believes it is very important to pay more attention to Afghanistan's economic development and agricultural development. Only social and economic development can provide a foundation for the stabilisation of the security situation, stated Urmas Paet. The Afghan work force and products should be used to their maximum potential in building up the nation. Local Afghan businesses should be included in the process, he added.
The security situation in Afghanistan is still complicated, and its correction requires the help of neighbouring nations. It is not possible to stabilise the situation in Afghanistan without the help of Pakistan, since the future developments of Afghanistan depend largely on developments in Pakistan, emphasised Foreign Minister Paet. More attention should be given to co-operation addressing security in Afghanistan-Pakistan border areas, Paet stressed.
Representatives of nearly 90 nations and international organisations participated in the Afghanistan conference in The Hague. Participants in the conference included Afghan President Hamid Karzai, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and UN Special Representative Kai Eide.
Afghan President Karzai Recognised Estonia's Contribution to Afghanistan's Reconstruction
31 March - Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and representatives of Denmark and Iceland in The Hague.
President Karzai thanked Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland for their contributions to developing Afghanistan and improving the security situation. Karzai stated that Afghanistan still requires support for bettering the security situation as well as for the development of its police, education and health systems.
Karzai stated that it is essential that the upcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan are fair, democratic, and free of security problems.
Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia will continue to contribute to Afghanistan's security and reconstruction. We are focused on building up the health care system in Helmand Province, he added.
Paet stated that it is a positive sign that the Afghan authorities are taking charge in increasingly more regions and sectors in Afghanistan.
Karzai said that Afghanistan needs 400 000 of its own police officers and soldiers in order to ensure security.
Paet asserted that the international community needs to contribute more than before to police training, including the full staffing of the EU police mission. Afghan police officers have a very difficult job. Every day 4-6 Afghan police officers are killed. They deserve our recognition, but they also require reform, Paet added.
President Karzai also emphasised progress in providing education for girls. Eight years ago there were 7 000 people per year in Afghanistan wishing to attend university, none of which were female. Now there are 85 000 young people seeking higher education every year, he stated.
President Ilves Met with Czech Deputy Prime Minister
31 March - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Alexandr Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, which currently holds the EU presidency. Mr. Vondra is participating in the Lennart Meri Conference on Foreign and Security Policy in Tallinn.
At the meeting, during which President Ilves acknowledged the Czech Republic for its successful EU presidency, the main topics included developments in the European Union and the Community's neighbourhood.
The Eastern Partnership initiative started by the European Commission is important, because it encourages and prompts our many neighbours to intensify reforms related to democracy and market economy, President Ilves said.
Speaking about the general economic situation in Europe and the world generally, President Ilves and Deputy Prime Minister Vondra affirmed that a precondition for future recovery is frugality on the part of all countries today and extremely conservative budgetary policies, which are not influenced by election campaigns or overly optimistic promises based on day-to-day politics.
In talking about the Lisbon Treaty, Deputy Prime Minister Vondra expressed the opinion that it will soon be ratified by the Czech Republic and that the new Irish referendum will hopefully succeed.
Estonia Supports Visa Freedom for Macedonia
25 March - In his meeting with Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milošoski in Tallinn, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet confirmed Estonia's support for Macedonia's accession to NATO and the beginning of its accession negotiations with the European Union. We have always supported the open door policy for those nations that are prepared to accede, said Paet.
According to Foreign Minister Paet, Estonia hopes that the name dispute with Greece will soon be resolved and Macedonia will become a member state of both NATO and the European Union.
While talking about Macedonia's prospect for visa freedom with the EU, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet expressed hope that it would be possible to eliminate visa requirements for Macedonian citizens this year. Foreign Minister Milošoski stated that Macedonia has completed its preparations for visa freedom. Estonia supports visa freedom to the European Union for all Western Balkan countries, emphasised Foreign Minister Paet.
During their meeting, Foreign Minister Antonio Milošoski informed Paet of Macedonia's intention to turn their existing diplomatic representation in Tallinn into the Macedonian Embassy in Estonia. Foreign Minister Paet stated that this would make the active relations between the two nations even tighter. During his visit to Macedonia last November, Foreign Minister Paet opened Estonia's first honorary consulate in the Western Balkans in Skopje.
Another affirmation of tight Estonia-Macedonia relations is the 60 visits on various levels that have taken place between Estonia and Macedonia within the past two years. Foreign Minister Paet stated that Estonian businessmen have more contacts in Macedonia now. However, we still have room for development in reciprocal trade and increasing investments, said Paet. We are ready to share our experience in building and implementing a strategic goods control system with Macedonia, he added.
Foreign Minister Milošoski also met with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, who congratulated Milošoski on the successfully organised elections. On 22 March, the first rounds of the presidential and local government elections were held in Macedonia.
EU Foreign Ministers Agreed to Strengthen Civil Missions
28 March - The rise in the importance of European security and defence policy is confirmed by the amount of civil missions, which has been constantly growing, noted Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. During an informal meeting of the European Union foreign ministers (Gymnich meeting) from 27-28 March in Hluboká nad Vlatvou in the Czech Republic, the foreign ministers acknowledged the need to concretise the joint principles of participation in civil missions in both legislation and in financing activities.
Through the years, the European Union has had 22 civil missions altogether. Currently the European Union has nine different civil missions, of which Estonia is participating in six.
It is impossible not to pay attention to the importance of civil reconstruction work in conflict regions, said Foreign Minister Paet. However, Paet added, it is often difficult to find experts for civil missions, since experts in the civil sector are usually committed to responsibilities in their native country-in the police force, defence institutions, or other occupations. The creation of a European database of potential experts for civil missions could alleviate this situation, said Paet.
Foreign Minister Paet also emphasised the need for strategies of participation in civil missions, so that the expertise and capabilities of all nations would be utilised efficiently. Estonia is working out a law addressing participation in international civil missions so that we have a common goal with the European Union in developing civil missions, said Foreign Minister Paet.
The six European Union civil missions to which Estonia makes various contributions are the European Union police training mission EUPOL Afghanistan, the rule of law missions EULEX Kosovo and EUJUST LEX in Iraq, the monitoring mission EUMM in Georgia, the EU border mission EUBAM in Moldova, and the police mission EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Good examples of the European Union's reaction capabilities in recent times are the quick organisation of a monitoring mission to Georgia after the war last year and the organisation of the mission that began work in Kosovo last year, Paet noted.
Paet stated that although Estonia will not immediately be participating in the first European Union military operation at sea EU NAVFOR ATALANTA, Estonia still believes that the mission is very important. Containing the pirates acting in the coastal waters of Somalia and putting an end to piracy there is in all of our interests, since piracy has affected sailors from EU nations, including Estonia, Paet emphasised.
Estonian Head of State Met with Latvian and Lithuanian Colleagues
27 March - According to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, energy co-operation, preparations for the NATO summit, and discussion of the economic situation were the most important topics at today's working meeting attended by the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian heads of state.
It is extremely important to find consensus and joint solutions regarding the plans for energy connections between the Baltic Sea countries, stressed President Ilves.
It is also important that NATO would utilise the wish of its partner states to accede to the alliance to strengthen the democratic processes in those countries. This would also fortify their preparedness for achieving full NATO membership, President Ilves said.
The presidents of the Baltic countries recognised that we are all affected by the economic crisis, and therefore the actions of all of us may also impact our neighbours.
Realistic approaches toward cost savings and balanced budgetary policies, as well as the avoidance of withdrawal and protectionism - these are some of the key moves that will help us cope with this crisis, said President Ilves.
The Presidents of the Baltic states, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Valdis Zatlers and Valdas Adamkus, met in Šiauliai today at the invitation of the Lithuanian Head of State to mark the fifth anniversary of the Baltic accession to NATO. At the Lithuanian Air Force base in Šiauliai, the Presidents were also briefed on the NATO Baltic air policing mission and NATO Quick Reaction Alert program. They will also participate in a flower-laying ceremony at the memorial to Lithuanian freedom fighters in the village of Menaiciai.
Swedish Presidency of EU Comes at Complex Time
30 March - During the meeting that took place between Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and his Swedish colleague Carl Bildt, the ministers discussed Sweden's action plan as the next presidency of the European Union. Urmas Paet stated that the Swedish presidency falls at a complicated time. The presidency must deal with alleviating the effects of the greatest economic crisis of the century, climate agreements, the Treaty of Lisbon, further enlargement of the EU, the situations in the Middle East, Iran, and Afghanistan, and many other complex issues, he added.
The ministers also discussed energy security. Paet stated that in order to strengthen the European Union's energy security and have a unified energy policy towards third countries, there must be a well-functioning internal energy market with sufficient connections. In order to create and ensure a transparent Nordic-Baltic market with equal conditions, we need to have the ability to regulate electricity imports originating from third countries. We hope to confirm a schedule during Sweden's presidency for making Baltic energy connections, Paet said.
During the meeting, Paet also acknowledged that the Nord Stream project continues to be a concern for Estonia, since its effect on the Baltic Sea, a delicate maritime environment, remains unclear.
Another topic addressed at the meeting was the economic crisis. Foreign Minister Paet stated that multi-faceted and thorough co-operation on all levels is needed to restore the trustworthiness of the financial sector and avoid the negative external influences from decisions made in other countries. It is essential that nations avoid protectionist trade measures in the current economic environment. Trade is part of the solution, not part of the problem, Paet asserted.
In talking about Estonia-Sweden relations, the foreign ministers acknowledged that bilateral relations are very good and active. Paet and Bildt agreed that co-operation between the foreign ministries has also been very successful. One of our diplomats is working from the Swedish Embassy in Cairo. We hope that co-operation like that in Cairo continues, as it will serve as a good example of internal EU co-operation in the future, said Paet.
Barack Obama Congratulates Estonia on Five Years of NATO Membership
31 March - The United States is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Estonia as allies and friends, wrote United States President Barack Obama in his congratulatory letter to the Estonian head of state. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Estonia on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of your nation's accession to NATO.
Your country's contributions to NATO operations and its commitment to the values that define our Alliance are a testament to NATO's ongoing transformation and evidence of the enduring benefits of NATO's enlargement, added President Obama.
We must remain devoted to our shared objective of a Europe united, free, and peaceful, and keep NATO's door open to nations that are willing and able to bear the responsibilities of membership. W e must continue to support those who aspire to join NATO; Estonia's success stands as a strong example for others to follow.
Foreign Ministry to Begin Updating Foundations of Estonian Security Policy
30 March - Today the schedule for updating Estonia's security policy was confirmed.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet noted that a wider understanding of the meaning of EU and NATO membership and the opportunities associated with membership has developed in Estonia. Ensuring security is an ongoing process that does not end with accession to NATO, emphasised Foreign Minister Urmas Paet after the session of the security commission. Threats to the security environment have diversified over the last five years, for example in the energy and cyber security realms but also in arms control, said the foreign minister, explaining the rationale behind periodic reviews of the foundations of security policy.
The new conception is being compiled five years after Estonia's accession to NATO and will be completed at the Foreign Ministry by autumn of this year. The current security policy principles were approved by the Riigikogu in 2004. The document can be read on the Foreign Ministry website at http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_177/4666.html.
Estonian Recognised as Innovative Documentary Filmmaker
25 March - Estonian documentary filmmaker Marianne Kaat was awarded the International Trailblazer award given out by the world's largest international documentary film market.
At the end of February, the world's largest international documentary film market MIPDOC announced the seven documentary filmmakers from all over the world who had earned an award for their innovative approach and contribution to documentary film.
Among the chosen individuals is Estonian filmmaker Marianna Kaat, who was nominated for the award by the European Documentary Network (EDN).
The awards were handed out last weekend at the MIPDOC in Cannes, France. In addition, films by the winners were shown during the MIPDOC.
The International Trailblazer awards are being given out for the fourth time and are sponsored by the Sundance Channel, National Film Board of Canada, Korean Broadcasting Institute, Al Jazeera Documentary Network, and the Australian Film Institute.
President of the Republic Accepted Credentials from Ambassadors of Morocco, Burkina Faso, Mongolia
26 March - Today in Kadriorg, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with the Ambassadors of Morocco, Burkina Faso and Mongolia, who presented their credentials to the Head of State.
Credentials were presented by Mina Tounsi, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco who resides in Copenhagen; Monique Ilboudo, the Ambassador of Burkina Faso, who resides in Copenhagen, and Otgon Dambiinyam, the Ambassador of Mongolia, who resides in Warsaw.
DOMESTIC NEWS
President Ilves Attends Ceremony to Rename Tallinn Airport after Lennart Meri
29 March - By naming the Tallinn Airport after Lennart Meri, we express our respect for the Republic of Estonia, our history and democratic values, said President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at the ceremony, which took place at midday in Tallinn Airport.
The honouring and dignified commemoration of one's history and great figures is part of behaving as a nation, President Ilves said. I wish to thank journalist Argo Ideon, who was the first to propose that the Tallinn Airport be named after Lennart Meri.
The head of state recalled that Lennart Meri was a great traveller. He added, Every traveller wants to start and end his journey safely and in good spirits. Therefore, it is very natural that Tallinn Airport be named after a person who enjoyed being on the road, meeting different kinds of people and cultures. But who always appreciated coming back home.
Ergma Re-elected as Estonian Parliament Speaker
26 March (BNS) - The Estonian Parliament re-elected incumbent Ene Ergma as its speaker.
The Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) deputy, who was the sole candidate for the job in the annual election that is conducted by secret ballot, was re-elected by the 101-seat chamber with 74 votes for and 11 against. Nine ballots were declared invalid.
Ergma, 65, has been member of the Parliament's board since 2003. She served as speaker from 2003-2006 and was second deputy speaker from 2006-2007.
In the 2007 election she was backed by 91 deputies and in 2008 by 83 deputies.
The present lineup of the Parliament's board, with Ergma as speaker and Kristiina Ojuland (Reform) and Jüri Ratas (Centre) as her deputies, has been in office since the present Parliament first convened in April 2007.
New Lennart Meri Stamp Introduced
26 March - Yesterday the Estonian Post and the Office of the President introduced a stamp dedicated to Lennart Meri, which is the third in the series entitled Estonian Heads of State, 1918-2018.
President Ilves stated that he is glad to mark the anniversary of the birth of a great figure in Estonian history in this distinguished manner.
We appreciate Lennart Meri as a person who was able to lead Estonia back to Europe as an equal and dignified state, the head of state said.
Ahti Kallaste, the CEO of Estonian Post, said that stamps are exceptional because they are miniature works of art that record the events, people, buildings and nature that are important to a country.
Mart Meri also spoke at the presentation. President Ilves and Helle Meri cancelled the first stamp.
Stamps of all the Estonian heads of state during the first century of independence will be issued in the series entitled Estonian Heads of State, 1918-2018 in time for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.
Lennart Meri was President of the Republic from 6 June 1992 to 8 October 2001. This week marks the 80th anniversary of Lennart Meri's birth.
The Lennart Meri stamp, with a nominal value of 5.50 EEK, is printed at the Vaba Maa printing house with a print run of 100 000. The stamp was designed by Lembit Lõhmus.
DEFENCE NEWS
Five-Year Anniversary of Estonia's Accession to NATO
29 March - Today is the five-year anniversary of the day that the North Atlantic Treaty instruments of ratification for Estonia were deposited at Washington. From this moment on, Estonia became a full member of NATO, said Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo on the anniversary.
Estonia's membership in NATO shows the trust of Estonia and its people. It is the support of friends that confirms that our choices were right and demonstrates that Estonia has an equal place in the circle of free democratic states that are ready to aid each other, even if the price is blood. At the same time, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to make sure that Estonia's contribution to the collective security of NATO member states is reliable and serious. For that we need the defined development of our defence capabilities, to participate to the extent of our capabilities in joint endeavours, and an adequate and intelligent defence policy, continued Minister of Defence Aaviksoo.
NATO membership is not the end of history for Estonia. NATO combines the national interests of countries that are based on freedom, democracy, our collective historical and civilisational heritage, and the need for peace in the North Atlantic region. For Estonia, this still means our combined efforts in developing national defence and increasing the investments that are needed for it, said the minister of defence.
The national defence development plan for 2009-2018 that was just adopted is a prerequisite for increasing NATO security and for functioning collective defence. All these undertakings - the Ämari airfield that has to be capable of accepting both transport aircraft and interceptor fighters, the high-tech development of the eyes and ears of the Defence Forces, the modernisation of our defence infrastructure, and the development of the necessary military capabilities to protect the lives of the men and women who serve in the Defence Forces - are part of the transformation and modernisation of NATO to prepare the Alliance for dealing with security threats in its member states and their territories and also abroad. These promises are for us all to keep, said Aaviksoo.
Aaviksoo assured that Estonian citizens also perceive the feeling of security that NATO provides. During the last five years, the support of Estonians for NATO membership has remained stable at a high level. According to a public opinion poll from January, 73% of Estonian citizens support our membership in NATO. 76% of Estonian citizens believe that the Alliance will support us in the event of a possible military conflict. Compared to a public opinion poll that was carried out in August last year, the number of people who believe in the military support of NATO has increased by nine per cent. Several Estonian families have already paid the high price for ensuring the security of Estonia, our allies and partners. While celebrating the five year anniversary of our NATO accession, I have to think of all the men and women who lost their lives or sacrificed their health for Estonia. Your heroism and unselfishness are honourable and precious and will be duly remembered. In the name of the Estonian Government, I express our thanks to all the men and women who currently serve in the Estonian Defence Forces to protect Estonia's safety and to all those who engage in the most difficult of tasks on foreign missions. Thank you! said the minister of defence.
NATO General Visits Estonian Cyber Defence Centre
26 March (BNS) - Maj. Gen. Nikolaos Ioannou-Sioutas, deputy chief of the NATO Communication and Information Systems Services Agency (NCSA) and Chief of Staff of NCSA, visited the NATO Co-operative Centre of Excellence in Cyber Defence in Tallinn.
The chief of the cyber defence centre, Lt. Col. Ilmar Tamm, spoke to the guest about the centre's work plan for 2009.
"Constructive and regular co-operation with the NATO Communication and Information Systems Services Agency is important in order to ensure actual input for the development projects of the cyber defence centre from the communication and IT systems and networks at NATO's disposal in the administration of day-to-day cyber incidents," Tamm stated.
Topics discussed in more detail were the development of NATO's cyber defence capabilities, including the topic of cyber attack countermeasures, and the distribution of co-operation in the planning and conducting of the NATO cyber defence exercise Cyber Coalition 2009 in November of this year.
Maj. Gen. Ioannou-Sioutas also met with the head of the department for communication and command systems at the Estonian General Staff, Col. Artur Suzik.
Terras Meets with US Under Secretary of Defence
24 March - Today Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence Riho Terras met with Michèle Flournoy, the US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, at the Pentagon, where they discussed the strategy for Afghanistan and Estonian and US military co-operation in Afghanistan.
They decided that it is of the highest importance for Afghanistan to make basic services available to the population, and a prerequisite for that is an improved security environment. It was also agreed that the role of the United Nations as a co-ordinator has to be widened and its activities extended to the whole of Afghanistan.
Permanent Undersecretary Terras and Under Secretary Flournoy also discussed the possibility of continuing the successful military co-operation between the two countries in Afghanistan. Estonia is making plans for the establishment of a joint training team with the US, the task of which is the training of Afghanistan's own army. Estonia is also considering the possibility of contributing to the security measures for the elections in Afghanistan this year, said Permanent Undersecretary Terras.
Questions on NATO's agenda for the upcoming anniversary summit were also discussed at the meeting. Collective defence is still the most important core objective of NATO, and it is also important to increase NATO's visibility in the member states, said Terras.
In addition to the meeting with Under Secretary Flournoy, Permanent Undersecretary Terras will participate in a series of meetings at the US Department of Defence and the US Department of State.
On Thursday, Terras will meet with Edmond Mulet, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, with whom he will discuss UN activities in Afghanistan and UN peacekeeping reforms.
Terras is accompanied on his visit by Sven Sakkov, the Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Policy of the Ministry of Defence, by Col. Meelis Kiili, the defence attaché to the US, and by Taimar Peterkop, the Estonian Defence Counsellor in the US.
Memorial Plaque Dedicated to Jews who Fell in War of Independence
26 March - Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo said today at the unveiling of the memorial plaque dedicated to the Jews who lost their lives in the War of Independence that Estonia appreciates the efforts of all those who fought alongside Estonians during the War of Independence and commemorates all who fell.
The memorial plaque unveiled today commemorates the Jewish fighters who laid down their lives in the defence of Estonia's independence. The ideals of a state of our own and of freedom unified us and brought us closer both during the Estonian War of Independence and during the creation of an independent Jewish state thirty years later, when Estonia had lost its independence. And these ideals still unify us today as we stand for the preservation and continuation of our states, said Minister of Defence Aaviksoo.
The memorial plaque unveiled today on the wall of the Tallinn Jewish School carries the names of six Jewish fighters who fell in the Estonian War of Independence 1918-1920. Over 100 Jews fought in the War of Independence; one of them, junior non-commissioned officer Boris Kofkin, was bestowed with the Cross of Liberty 3rd class 2nd rank.
The memorial plaque was established by the Jewish Religious Community, the Jewish Community of Estonia and the Tallinn Jewish School.
ECONOMIC NEWS
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(Bank of Estonia)
Skype World's Largest Provider of International Calls
27 March - Last year about 33 billion international calling minutes were made via Skype, or about 8% of all international calls.
The latest analysis by TeleGeography, a company that organises international telecommunications surveys, shows that Skype has become the largest provider of international calls.
A total of 417 billion minutes' worth of international calls were made last year. Skype's portion of this is 33 billion minutes, or about 8% of all international calls.
TeleGeography did not measure the profit earned by the various operators. Skype would certainly not rank first by that factor, even though it is the largest in terms of minutes used. Skype's service SkypeOut, which requires a small fee, was used for 8 billion minutes of calls.
While the total amount of international calls grew in 2008 by about 12%, the number of international calls made using Skype increased by 41%.
Estonia Rose Two Places in Global IT Report
26 March - Estonia rose two places in the World Economic Forum's Global IT Report, putting it in 18th place this year.
Similarly to last year, the report states that the top nations in the use of information and communication technology are Denmark and Sweden, followed by the United States, Singapore, and Switzerland.
Estonia's northern neighbour Finland ranked in 6th place, while Russia ranks 74th. The other Baltic nations ranked behind Estonia, with Lithuania in 35th place and Latvia in 48th.
The last country on the list, in 134th place, is Chad.
The Global IT Report ranks nations according to their competitiveness and development in the digital realm.
Estonian Air to Launch Berlin, Amsterdam Routes in June
30 March (BNS) - Estonian Air is going to open an air route between Tallinn and Amsterdam on 7 June and a route between Tallinn and Berlin on the following day.
Return fights to Amsterdam will take place three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, spokespeople for the airline said.
Flights to Berlin's Tegel airport and back will take place twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.
Fares on both routes start from 1 096 kroons (EUR 70) for a one-way ticket.
A. Le Coq becomes Biggest Brewer in Estonia
31 March (BNS) - According to a study by the market research company AC Nielsen, A.Le Coq has become the biggest brewer in Estonia, going clearly ahead of all the competing brewers.
The market share of A. Le Coq's beers grew by 10% on year in December and January, achieving 41% market share in retail trade, A.Le Coq said.
The Saku Õlletehas brewery said recently that according to a study by AC Nielsen, Saku Õlletehas was the leader of the beer market last year, controlling 45.7% of the market. The market share of A.Le Coq was 38.1%. In addition to beer, A.Le Coq also produces waters, fruit juices and soft drinks.
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