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Estonian Review 18 - 24 March 2009
27.03.2009
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
Ilves Presents High Decoration to Danish Prime Minister
24 March - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves presented Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen with the Cross of Terra Mariana 1st Class, which was awarded to him in connection with Estonian Independence Day.
Prime Minister Rasmussen received the award for his support of Estonia and the other Baltic countries during their accession to the European Union and NATO.
We are very grateful that you have always been a strong supporter of Estonia and we have not forgotten your help during Estonia's accession to the European Union and NATO, President Ilves said. Your commitment played an important role in overcoming difficulties at that time.
During the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2002, Denmark made a great contribution to the successful completion of the accession negotiations with ten candidate states, including Estonia.
Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen thanked President Ilves for the high-level recognition by the Estonian state and recalled that he was very happy when he was able to invite Estonia to become a European Union member state in 2002. Denmark and Estonia are now strong partners and allies in the European Union, he added.
At the meeting following the presentation of the decoration, President Ilves and Prime Minister Rasmussen discussed the global economic crisis, developments in the European Union and NATO, the Baltic Sea Strategy, Estonian-Danish relations, and the NATO's most important foreign mission in Afghanistan.
Western Balkan Nations Successfully Growing Closer to NATO
24 March - At the meeting of the foreign ministers of the USA-Adriatic Charter and Baltic Charter nations-Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Montenegro-in Riga on 24 March, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that Western Balkan countries acceding to NATO and the European Union is an important contribution to European security.
In his speech, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the USA-Adriatic Charter of Partnership has been very successful. The most visible result thus far is the NATO accession invitations extended to Albania and Croatia. Estonia also supports the swift accession of Macedonia into NATO and continues to help Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro on their path to NATO accession, he added.
The USA-Adriatic Charter of Partnership (Adriatic Charter) is a partnership and co-operation agreement between Albania, Croatia, Macedonia and the USA which was signed by the US Secretary of State and his colleagues on 2 May 2003 in Tirana. The structure and goals of the Adriatic Charter are similar to those of the USA-Baltic Charter concluded in 1998.
The goal of the Adriatic Charter, which was signed after the Prague NATO summit of 2002, was to more clearly define the NATO accession perspectives of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia, facilitate the changes being made in the defence structures as well as domestic democratic reforms in the three countries, increase stability and security, and help the nations with their Euro-Atlantic integration.
Paet expressed hope that Serbia and Kosovo will also soon be among the nations of the Adriatic Charter. Estonia feels it is essential that the doors of NATO remain open in the future, and that all candidates must fulfil the existing requirements, he stated.
The Estonian foreign minister stated that the Western Balkan nations' participation in international military missions is also noteworthy. The contributions of NATO candidate countries towards improving the situation in Afghanistan are especially important, he said. Despite the temporary economic difficulties, European security must not suffer, Paet stated.
European Council Agrees on European Economic Recovery Plan
20 March - The European Council that ended today in Brussels agreed upon the funds for the recovery of the economy in the amount of EUR 5 billion.
According to the agreement, the funds will be directed to energy, internet and rural life projects.
The agreement that has been reached is very important for Estonia, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip commented. It is important for us that the European Union has contributed to the establishment of energy communities everywhere in Europe. With the pan, Estonia and Finland have been allocated EUR 100 million for the development of the undersea electricity cable Estlink 2.
At the same time, the European Council agreed on the further directions of the development of the energy security policy and the implementation of the Baltic Interconnection Plan is seen as one of the priorities in this area.
At the summit of the European Union, the messages that the European Union will take to the G20 summit of leading industrial countries were also harmonised. At the G20 meeting, options will be discussed for overcoming the global financial and economic crisis.
According to Ansip, Europe, with its positive example, has been a leading force in the process of handling the crisis.
Climate issues were discussed in relation to the United Nations Climate Chance Conference that will be held in Copenhagen in December of this year. No specific positions were formed at this summit for the conference yet.
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip was satisfied that the Council held the first more serious discussion over the so-called Eastern Partnership. This involves the closer linking of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus with the European Union.
Estonia supports a very close Eastern Partnership, said Ansip. This assumes the support and funding of the European Union for the target countries of the Eastern Partnership, the conclusion of association agreements, economic integration, future visa freedom, and substantial co-operation in energy and transport issues,
On Thursday, before the beginning of the Council, Andrus Ansip met with Joaquin Almunia, the Monetary Affairs Commissioner of the European Commission, and the economic and financial situation was discussed. Ansip confirmed the wish of the Estonian government to join the euro area as soon as possible.
Ansip stressed that Estonia wishes to join the euro area on the basis of the existing criteria and is not demanding any concessions. He added that Estonia wishes for close co-operation with the European Commission in the process of transitioning to the euro.
In addition to Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, Minister of Finance Ivari Padar from the Estonian government also attended the meeting of the European Council.
European Union Enlargement Must Continue
19 March - Foreign Minister Secretary General Marten Kokk, in his meeting yesterday with Swedish Foreign Ministry State Secretary Frank Belfrag, discussed the future challenges of the European Union in the light of Sweden's upcoming presidency.
Marten Kokk noted that European Union enlargement matters in particular were focused on during the meeting. We cannot allow enlargement, one of the European Union's most successful projects, to become devalued in some way. It is essential to move forward with enlargement issues in the Western Balkans as quickly as possible, said Secretary General Kokk.
Estonia is satisfied that enlargement is not officially tied to the Treaty of Lisbon in any way at the moment, Kokk emphasised after the meeting, adding that Estonia has shared its experiences regarding EU accession with the Western Balkans.
Aside from issues related to enlargement and the Treaty of Lisbon, the heads of the Estonian and Swedish foreign ministries also discussed the perspective for developing European Eastern Partnership, co-operation in reconstructing Afghanistan, and the activities of the two nations for coming to terms with the economic crisis. Emerging from the economic crisis requires the unified activities of the European Union and the G20 nations as well as the avoidance of protectionism, emphasised Marten Kokk.
Estonia and Latvia to Share Common Embassy Building in Cairo
20 March - During their meeting today in Riga, the secretaries general of the Estonian and Latvian foreign ministries decided that the two nations would open a joint embassy in Cairo. Secretaries General Marten Kokk and Andris Teikmanis agreed that the ministries would continue to work together to specify the division of costs regarding the embassy as well as other details.
This is a good example of how co-operation will get us through this economically difficult time, noted Foreign Ministry Secretary General Marten Kokk.
There is an Estonian special diplomatic representative in Egypt who is making preparations for the opening of the embassy of the Republic of Estonia there.
Other topics addressed at the meeting were additional co-operation opportunities between the Estonian and Latvian foreign ministries, issues related to the financial and economic crisis, energy, and matters related to Russia and the European Neighbourhood Policy Eastern Partnership.
Joint Declaration of Estonian and Italian Foreign Ministries Signed
18 March - Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Harri Tiido and Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Alfredo Mantica, meeting in Tallinn, signed a joint declaration for reinforced co-operation between the foreign ministries of Estonia and Italy.
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Harri Tiido stated that the signing of the joint declaration gives a positive motivation for the development of bilateral relations, more regular dialogue at the highest level, and consultations between officials. More active dialogue between the foreign ministries is mutually beneficial for becoming acquainted with and co-ordinating foreign policy positions, especially within the context of the European Union and NATO, said Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Harri Tiido.
While talking about Estonia-Italy bilateral relations, Undersecretary Harri Tiido noted that in addition to the joint declaration that was just signed, a co-operation agreement between Estonia and Italy on battling crime, terrorism, and illegal narcotics trade will also be ready soon. We hope that this co-operation agreement will also be signed in the near future, said Undersecretary Tiido.
In accordance with the declaration signed today, regular consultations will take place every year between the foreign ministries of Estonia and Italy. The most important themes that the consultations will be addressing are bilateral relations; current issues in the European Union, NATO, the UN and other international organisations; European Neighbourhood Policy; European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy; crisis regulation and management issues; energy security; facilitating trade and investments; consular issues; and public diplomacy.
Estonian Ambassador to Luxembourg Presents Credentials
18 March - Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Karin Jaani presented her credentials to Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.
During the conversation that took place after the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Jaani and Grand Duke Henri expressed satisfaction over the good and friendly relations between the two small countries, both noting that co-operation is steadily growing more intense in various sectors of the European Union such as the energy and climate packet and interior and justice issues. The ambassador and the grand duke also asserted that there is a need to enliven economic contacts and trade relations; one possibility mentioned was a business delegation from Luxembourg visiting Estonia.
Grand Duke Henri also emphasised the importance and necessity of co-operation among small nations in the European Union, declaring that co-operation among the Baltic and Benelux countries has begun to function very effectively.
While talking about the economic difficulties that have arisen, Ambassador Jaani emphasised that first and foremost we need to restore peoples' trust in the financial sector and help each other make it through these hard times. Jaani stated that nations should therefore avoid protectionist trade measures, since if they do not it will be difficult to revive the economy. In today's world it is not possible to seal yourself off to focus only on saving yourself. Everything is so tightly intertwined that without co-operation, we can not accomplish anything, said Jaani.
The ambassador also gave an overview of Estonia's advancements in acceding to the euro-zone, confirming that transitioning to the euro is another opportunity that would help stabilise the economy and therefore bring about growth.
They discussed Estonia-Luxembourg regional and cultural co-operation and potentially organising joint development co-operation projects for the Balkan nations.
The grand duke confirmed his readiness to come to Estonia for a visit and expressed his desire to do so as soon as possible.
Ambassador Karin Jaani was born in 1952 in Ahja. She graduated from Tartu University in 1980 with a degree in English. Jaani has worked in the Estonian foreign service since 1995. She has been the ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and in the Russian Federation, the director of the Parliament's external relations department, and the director general of the Foreign Ministry's second political department. Karin Jaani is also the Estonian ambassador to Montenegro residing in Brussels.
DOMESTIC NEWS
President Ilves Thanked Back to School Team
20 March - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves received the 15-member team of the Back to School team in order to thank them for a successful initiative.
In February, during the Back to School project, 687 people went to 167 schools to give lessons and share their work and life experiences with the students. Each of the participants will receive a thank you letter from President Ilves.
The Back to School initiative is one of the most positive recent undertakings in Estonia, President Ilves said. He also expressed hope that during the next few years the number of participants will increase even further.
Those who gave lessons in February included Gerd Kanter, Rein Rannap, Indrek Neivelt, Vahur Kraft, Mihkel Raud, Katrin Karisma, Andrus Kivirähk and many others.
The Back to School project was initiated by the President of the Republic and the Youth to School Foundation. Its objective is to strengthen co-operation between Estonia's schools and the rest of society.
For additional information about the Back to School project see www.tagasikooli.ee.
Ilves and Silverman Hold Public Debate on Technology, Economy
19 March - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Skype CEO Josh Silverman held a public debate on technology, economics and the future of Estonia in the course of the President's Chautauqua in Tallinn.
President Ilves and Josh Silverman recognised that educated and inventive people are the basis for everything. Estonia needs a new long-term, but very specific, plan for recruiting recognised scientists and bringing our scientists back to Estonia, the Estonian head of state said.
They both found that making some improvements in business as usual is not enough for making progress. We must turn Estonia into a blossoming ecosystem where talented people want to work in innovative companies, President Ilves stressed.
According to the Estonian head of state, in addition to favourable economic and legal conditions, such a society harbours highly qualified human capital, research centres at the universities, and a generally desirable living environment.
Josh Silverman noted that there is no reason why Estonia couldn't be on the forefront of advancement of innovation in the European Union. "Internet has enabled global competition and very few countries and companies in Europe have yet had breakthroughs in this competition with the US and, increasingly, Asia."
President Ilves and Josh Silverman called upon the government, entrepreneurs and universities to co-operate for the sake of this goal. We must create advantages for the branches of science that will create the future economy and shape humankind hereafter, the Estonian Head of State emphasised.
Pirko Konsa, who is a board member of Tallinn's Tehnopol Technology Park and one of the organisers of the President's Chautauqua, stated that fertile ground must be created to promote the development of clever ideas. Tehnopol provides an environment that unites higher education schools with technology-based business acumen - co-operation that will result in innovative ideas. Fertile ground for the birth of ideas is the basis for attracting brains and enterprise from foreign countries, Konsa said.
The President's Chautauqua was held in Tallinn, Estonia at the Tehnopol Technology Park, which celebrated its sixth year of activity in March. The Chautauqua was moderated by Ott Pärna, CEO of the Estonian Development Fund.
DEFENCE NEWS
Estonia to Take Part in NATO Response Force with Mine-Hunter Sakala
19 March (BNS) - The Estonian Defence Ministry Thursday began gathering endorsements on a bill according to which Estonia will take part in NATO Response Force with a ten-strong movement co-ordination unit and the mine-hunter Sakala.
According to the bill, up to 55 members of the Defence Forces can be used in the 13th rotation of the NATO Response Force (NRF-13) in the period from 1 July to next 30 June.
According to the cover letter on the bill, it is the duty of the movement co-ordination unit to be formed on the basis of the Defence Forces logistics centre to plan, organise and co-ordinate the warehousing and transport of equipment arriving at a port or an airfield.
The Estonian unit will be brought under the subordination of the land force command until 31 December and will be located in five-day readiness in Estonia. But the response forces could be activated at the end of the readiness period the NRF-13 as well, as a result of which the parliament mandate will last until next 30 June.
The mine-hunter Sakala, taking part in the NRF-13 naval component from 1 August to 28 November, will be assigned to the NATO mine hunting squadron SNMCMG1 and take part in mine hunting operations in order to reduce risks to civilian maritime traffic or be in five-day readiness in Estonia. In addition to Sakala the squadron, which mainly sails and operates in the Northern region, will also include vessels from Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain and Norway.
Estonian Military Medics Treat Eight Afghans in Past Week
23 March - Medics of the Estonian Defence Forces serving in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan provided medical assistance to eight local residents and members of the Afghan army during the past week.
Medics from the Estonian infantry company ESTCOY-7 provided assistance to four locals, including two children, who had suffered in the explosion of a self-made explosive device. Members of the Estonian Defence Forces helped to take the victims to the field hospital at the Camp Bastion base, military spokespeople in Tallinn said.
Estonian and British medics also gave first aid last week to four soldiers of the Afghan army injured in a missile attack, who were also taken to the Camp Bastion field hospital.
The doctor of the Estonian contingent, Lt. Indrek Olvet, said that while ensuring medical aid for Estonian soldiers was the medics' primary task, they also had to be ready to help other people in need.
Estonia has provided medical assistance to Helmand province since 2007. The co-ordinator of Estonian health care activities in the province is medical expert Anu Raisma, who took up her position in Lashkar Gah last month.
The Estonian Defence Forces have been taking part in the NATO-led military operation in Afghanistan since 2003 and they currently have about 150 personnel stationed there. The Estonians serving in southern Afghanistan are part of the British-led Helmand battle group.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Kunimägi New Defence Attaché in Ukraine
23 March - This month, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Kunimägi started work in Ukraine as the Estonian defence attaché, continuing his service in the General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces as his principal job.
Previously, the duties of the defence attaché in Ukraine were performed by Lieutenant General Ants Laaneots, who at the end of 2006 was appointed Commander of the Defence Forces.
The defence attaché, as a defence diplomat, is a promoter of defence and security co-operation between their country of location and Estonia; among other things, it is his duty to collect information about the national defence of their country of location and introduce Estonian national defence. In total, Estonia currently has 10 defence attachés, covering the following countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Denmark, Norway, Great Britain, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, the United States of America, Canada, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.
Paul Kunimägi was born on 5 August 1970 in Tallinn. He has studied at the Kiev Higher Air Defence Engineering Radiotechnical School, at the Bundeswehr Command and General Staff College and at the Baltic Defence College, and passed further trainings at the NATO Defence College in Rome and the Marshall Centre in Germany.
Lieutenant Colonel Kunimägi has served in various positions in the Single Radio Technical Air Defence Battalion as chief of air control centre, in the Estonian military representation to NATO, and on the Air Force Staff and the General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces. As of 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Kunimägi is the head of the international co-operation section of the Analysis and Planning Department of the General Staff of the Defence Forces.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Profit of Playtech Soars 55 Percent in 2008
20 March (BNS) - The developer of online games and gaming environments Playtech has posted a profit of 41 million euros for 2008, which marks a 55% increase over the profit earned in the year before.
Playtech's total revenues surged 70% to 112 million euros. The casino business gave 79 million euros and poker 30 million euros of revenues.
Playtech signed 15 new license agreements during the year.
The company observed in the report that the first months of 2009 have been successful for it as revenues have moved up in comparison with the end of 2008.
Playtech's share has made gains in recent days and traded at four pounds sterling on Thursday.
Playtech does much of its development work in Estonia.
EU Allocates 6.7 Million EUR for Estonia-Latvia Gas Link
20 March (BNS) - Aside from the Estlink-2 undersea power cable project, the project to build a gas link between Estonia and Latvia also stands to receive support from the EU's economic stimulus package.
The size of the EU allocation for the gas link project is 6.7 million euros.
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said after the EU summit on Friday that according to the summit's decision, Estonia will receive 8.3 million euros as support to develop broadband Internet. Other areas that are to be supported in Estonia include agriculture, said the prime minister.
It has been announced previously that Estlink-2 would get 100 million euros in EU support.
Estonia is contributing 117 million kroons to the five billion euro EU aid package but stands to get significantly more as recipient, the premier added.
Baltika to Open Ten New Stores in Estonia
18 March (BNS) - The listed Estonian garment maker and seller Baltika is about to open ten new brand stores in Estonia in the first half of 2009, two of them in the south-western city of Pärnu, this Thursday.
Four stores will be opened in the extension of the Rocca Al Mare shopping centre in Tallinn that is due to be completed this spring and another four in the Baltika Quarter being developed on Veerenni Street, also in the capital city.
The Monton and Mosaic brand stores in Pärnu will open in the Pärnu Keskus shopping centre and take up a floor area of approximately 400 square meters combined.
After the outlets in Pärnu have opened, Baltika will have 31 stores in Estonia.
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