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Estonian Review 18 - 24 February 2009
27.02.2009
91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA
President Ilves: Estonians Need Solidarity in This Difficult Time
24 February - In his Independence Day speech, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves called upon the Estonian public to understand the nature and reasons for the crisis that has shaken the global and Estonian economies. He encouraged everyone to strive to overcome these difficult times together and not to look for culprits. "We are in a crisis that is largely out of our control," President Ilves acknowledged in his speech at the Jõhvi Concert Hall on the occasion of the 91st anniversary of Estonia's independence. "The situation in Estonia, and in the countries where the banks active in Estonia have their headquarters, has passed the point where someone or something could be blamed for what has happened." President Ilves spoke about his own responsibility and that of the citizenry, government, parliament, opposition and entrepreneurs. He also called upon everyone to shoulder the responsibility for what has happened together instead of placing blame, since it will then be easier to make a common effort and change our attitude.
According to the head of state, the negative supplementary budget, with all its faults, was inevitable and predicted that we have not seen the last of such budget cuts. "Therefore I wish that those least affected by these cuts would not concentrate on their losses, but would realise that others have suffered more," President Ilves said.
Ilves called upon the government and the parliament to preserve the credibility of our financial policy and the foundations of a democratic country. "Economic decline cannot suspend the Estonian Constitution," the head of state declared, calling on the coalition and opposition to conduct a full and open debate for drafting next year's budget.
The absence of an open debate involving all of society can amplify the disappointment in Estonian democracy and the institutions upholding it, warned President Ilves. Democracy is one of the first victims of crises, because that is when democracy suffers due to populism.
The President said that Estonia first and foremost needs solidarity and the realisation that we cannot manage without the support of others. President Ilves called upon the Estonian people to see solidarity as a way to pay our debt for Estonia's independence and statehood, which, despite the current crisis, has allowed us to live in a manner that one dared only dream about half a century ago. "This is the time to realise that we have confused the freedom to consume with the freedom to decide in favour of human values. The sum of our quality of life is composed of intellectual values, rich human relations, a healthy lifestyle, happy children and strong feelings of fellowship. This is where we must invest our time, intelligence, emotions and will," stated President Ilves at the formal concert to mark the 91st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. (The full text of the president's speech can be found at www.president.ee/en.)
FOREIGN NEWS
Paet: European Economic Recovery Plan Also Tied to Energy Security
23 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in a session of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels.
In the general affairs session, the foreign policy leaders of the European Union discussed the implementation of the European economic recovery plan that was approved in the European Council in December 2008. They addressed the projects that the European Commission proposed should receive an additional 5 million EUR investment in order to create important energy connections, develop internet infrastructure in all rural areas of the EU, and address the new challenges of rural life. Foreign Minister Paet stated that the proposed projects are well-balanced among various sectors and regions.
The prioritised and potential energy connection projects to be funded, including Estlink-2, significantly strengthen the network connections of the whole Baltic region in terms of both gas and electrical connections, Paet noted. The criteria for choosing projects should not underestimate the importance of increasing energy security, Paet added.
The European Union foreign ministers confirmed that 2009 will be a decisive year for Afghanistan's reconstruction and democratic development because of the presidential and municipal elections taking place in August.
Foreign Minister Paet stated that developments in Afghanistan this year will also be affected by the new administration of the United States that came into office. We must intensify co-operation between the EU and the USA, in terms of both policies and concrete activities, said Foreign Minister Paet. This should be a priority on the agenda of EU-USA meetings within the framework of transatlantic dialogue, Paet elaborated. Paet stated that it is important that new opportunities to guarantee security will be utilised. The European Union Police Mission (EUPOL) has become more and more visible in Afghanistan, which is why the European Union should fulfil its promise to double its mission. Estonia plans to contribute a rule of law expert in addition to the police experts that are currently in the mission.
The EU foreign ministers also analysed the content and sticking points of the European Neighbourhood Policy Eastern Dimension in order to advance the conception of Eastern Partnership so that it could be approved at the spring Council. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the communication on strengthening Eastern Partnership given last December in a good basis for developing concrete and long-term policies for drawing target countries closer to the European Union. It is important not to dilute measures aimed towards Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus in the Eastern Partnership packet, said Foreign Minister Paet. Concluding association agreements, facilitating visa policies, having tighter economic integration and creating profound free trade agreements which have the ultimate goal of a free trade zone including the EU and the target countries are marks of the most ambitious partnership with our neighbours to date. The partnership is also a security guarantee for all those involved, said Paet.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Discusses Country's Developments
19 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Speaker of the Georgian Parliament David Bakradze had a meeting in Tallinn, during which they emphasised that international monitoring missions must be guaranteed access to all parts of Georgia's territory. The role of an international presence in Georgia and access to Georgia's entire territory are extremely valuable for stabilising the region, said Paet.
Paet stated that Estonia is an active supporter of visa facilitation and free trade agreements with Georgia. The European Union should conclude a visa facilitation agreement with Georgia as soon as possible, emphasised the foreign minister. Paet pointed out that it is illogical that Russian citizens living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have the opportunity for simplified travel to the European Union, but Georgian citizens do not.
While speaking about Georgia and NATO, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet noted that Georgia has shown a clear desire to continue fulfilling its responsibility to reform the nation. Georgia must continue implementing democratic reforms. Estonia supports all the political powers in Georgia that are helping the nation's development, Paet said. Bakradze stated that the country is making efforts to continue the development of the civil society in the conditions of the current economic depression. The government has cut the budget, but the expenses in the field of education and social affairs are still increasing. The government is also engaged in a plan to enliven the economy, which mainly prescribes investments in infrastructure.
Estonia consistently supports Georgia's democratic development and the development of state institutions. We are ready to organise seminars for Georgian officials within the framework of development co-operation on topics of interest, such as European Union integration, Paet added.
Parliament Speaker David Bakradze also met with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma, and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. During his meeting, Prime Minister Ansip stated that what happened last year in August was a tragedy. Estonia did and will continue to support the territorial integrity of Georgia, he stressed.
Paet Discusses Adoption of Euro with Latvian Counterpart
18 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his colleague Māris Riekstiņš, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, and speaker of the Seim Gundars Daudze in Riga. They discussed bilateral relations, matters of energy and security policy, Eastern Partnership, relations with Russia, efforts to alleviate the effects of the economic crisis, and regional co-operation.
At his meeting with the Latvian foreign minister, Paet introduced Estonia's endeavours to join the Euro-zone. Adopting the euro is very important with regards to increasing security, as it will influence not just financial security, but also security in Estonia and the Baltic region as a whole, said Paet. For Estonia, the earliest possible time to join the Euro-zone is 2011, Paet added, describing Estonia's goals.
At his meeting with the president of Latvia, Paet brought up the subject of the Estonian school in Riga. The foreign minister expressed hope that the school would develop more successfully than it has to date. Estonia has helped the Estonian school in Riga with teaching materials and sent teachers to the school, said Paet, emphasising the importance of the school to Estonia. Hopefully the problems associated with renovating the school building and constructing a gymnasium will also be resolved soon. For this, Estonia hopes to have the support and co-operation of the city government of Riga and the Latvian Ministry of Education and Research, Paet added.
They also spoke about the creation of a new embassy building in Riga. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that the process to construct Estonia's new building continues. Currently the Foreign Ministry is concluding a design agreement with the architects, after which we will arrange a building procurement and the actual building of the embassy will begin, the foreign minister explained.
Another topic addressed was energy security. They emphasised that in order to strengthen the European Union's energy security and create a common energy policy with regards to third countries, it is necessary to have a functioning and sufficiently connected internal energy market. They also stressed the importance of the Baltic region's energy security and the creation of a unified Nordic-Baltic energy market. In order to be creating a common Nordic-Baltic energy market by the year 2013, we must move forward quickly with the items agreed upon at the meeting of the Baltic prime minister on 21 November 2008 in Tartu, noted Foreign Minister Paet.
In addition to his meetings with Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, speaker of the Seim Gundars Daudze and Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš, Urmas Paet also laid flowers on the base of the Freedom Monument and visited the Riga Estonian School and the Latvian Occupation Museum.
New Health Care Expert to Be Sent to Afghanistan
18 February - The Estonian health care expert co-ordinating development co-operation in Helmand province in Afghanistan will change at the end of February. Dr. Argo Parts, who has been in Afghanistan as part of the mission for one year, will be replaced for half a year by Anu Raisma.
In order for the reconstruction of Afghanistan to be successful, close co-operation in the field of medicine is needed. The people of Helmand province need a normally functioning living environment that includes basic health care services, said Argo Parts. The primary job of the Estonian health care expert is to co-ordinate the creation of a network of medical facilities, emergency services, and other aspects of the health care realm.
MTÜ Mondo member Anu Raisma has long-term experience working in the health care sector and has participated in missions in various crisis regions, including Indonesia and Pakistan, under the auspices of the Estonian Disaster Relief Team. Raisma has been a member of the Disaster Relief Team since 1999.
An Estonian health care expert has been working in the city of Lashkar Gah´ in Helmand province since March 2008, carrying out Estonian development co-operation projects on site and consulting for the leadership of the UK Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Helmand provincial government on the development of the health care system.
In 2007, Estonia supported Helmand's central hospital (Bost Hospital) with 1.1 million kroons, which were used to purchase portable oxygen generators and warming beds for underweight and premature infants. At the beginning of 2008, Estonia helped Bost Hospital procure diesel fuel for its electric generators so that they were able to light and heat the hospital rooms, as well as keep medical equipment running. At the end of last year Estonia helped Helmand's central hospital obtain medical equipment valuing 2.9 million kroons, which allowed the hospital to implement a medical oxygen delivery system in its operation and intensive care wing and also brought the hospital's equipment up to the standard required by the Health Care Ministry of Afghanistan.
President of Europe's Court of First Instance Visits Tallinn
20 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and President of Europe's Court of First Instance Marc Jaeger discussed legal system reform during their meeting in Tallinn. Every member state must retain the right to effectively give input in legal proceedings, said Foreign Minister Paet.
Paet stated that it is important for Estonia that in the European Union, where the principle of conclusive force applies, all countries are guaranteed the opportunity to protect their rights.
They also spent time discussing further developments in the court system and how to improve its effectiveness. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that it is important for Estonia judges to be represented in various courts. This would give us the chance to participate more effectively in court proceedings, he added.
Europe's Court of First Instance was established in 1989 and belongs to the Court of Justice of the European Communities along with the European Court of Justice and the Civil Service Tribunal. The goals of the Court of First Instance are to reduce the workload of the Court of Justice, help implement a common market, and improve legal protection in the European Union.
First Estonian Honorary Consulate Begins Work in Kenya
20 February - The first Estonian Honorary Consulate in the Republic of Kenya began work in Nairobi on Friday, 20 February. Estonia's first honorary consul in the Republic of Kenya is Kadri Humal-Ayal.
The honorary consulate will be opened by Minister for the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi and the director of the Foreign Ministry's division for Africa, the Near East, Middle East and Latin America Jüri Kahn.
The Estonian Honorary Consulate in Kenya is located at the address: Terrace Close, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.
The honorary consulate can be reached at the phone numbers +254 733 730068 and +254 20 2420880.
Estonian Honorary Consul in Kenya Kadri Humal-Ayal was born in 1971 in Tartu. She studied sociology at the University of Helsinki and supplement her studies in the field of public and media relations. Kadri Humal-Ayal is an entrepreneur in Kenya. The honorary consul speaks Estonian, English, Finnish, and Swahili.
Prime Minister Ansip Thanked Estonian Community Abroad
21 February - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip celebrated the 91st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia together with Estonians living in Sweden. During the speech he gave at the festive ceremony at Immanuel's Church, the prime minister thanked the Estonian community abroad for their dedication and the work they have done for the Republic of Estonia over many decades.
Without the active Estonian community abroad, including in Sweden, the restoration of our independence on the basis of legal continuity would have been impossible. Thanks to you, our state continued and Estonia remained on the map regardless of everything. Thanks to you, there was hope of freedom even during the darkest times, said Ansip.
The prime minister was hopeful that the actions of the community in favour of the Estonian state will continue in the future as well and that the interest towards Estonia will continue and increase. According to the head of government, the most can still be done in Estonia. I confirm that everyone is welcome back to the fatherland of their parents or themselves, said Ansip.
In his speech, the prime minister also gave an overview of the prospects of the country in the current economic situation. When speaking about the steps Estonia has taken to enliven the economy, Ansip stressed the role of Swedish companies in the Estonian economy. The prime minister said that there is still plenty of reason to invest in Estonia. The Estonian labour force is still cheaper than that of Sweden. The decrease of production capacities forces every company to be as cost-efficient as possible. Estonia can have a chance here, said Ansip.
According to the prime minister, the situation in which Estonia finds itself today is difficult, but cannot be compared with the hard times of the previous century. As Jaan Männik, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia, who was born and raised in Sweden, has pointedly said - it is inherent in Estonians to survive the hard times, said the prime minister.
Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian Translation Award Established
18 February - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Latvian Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš signed an agreement that established an Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translation award.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the translation award demonstrates the extremely good relations between the ministries of Estonia and Latvia. We would like for the translation award to express the value of works that have already been translated and inspire young Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translators, said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. The translation award, which is being financed by the foreign ministries of Estonia and Latvia together, is a unique but positive precedent in the work of both ministries. Many thanks to the ambassadors who initiated this award, the foreign minister added as he signed the agreement.
The Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translation award emphasises the importance of the Estonian and Latvian languages as well as cultural exchange in order to advance the professionalism of translators of literature as well as political, popular science, historical, sociological, memoirs and other texts. The award is scheduled to be announced every year on Christmas Eve and will be given out in either Riga or Tallinn, as the winner will also alternate between translators of Estonian and Latvian.
The monetary value of the award is 3 000 euros, to which both sides are contributing equally. The jury will be brought together each year on an ex officio basis-it will contain the ambassadors of the two nations, the heads of the cultural departments of the two foreign ministries, and the directors of each nation's literature information centre.
The idea to establish the award came from Estonian Ambassador to Latvia Jaak Jõerüüt and Latvian Ambassador to Estonia Kārlis Eihenbaums, who at the end of 2008 sent a joint letter to the foreign minister of each country in order to turn their idea into a reality.
DOMESTIC NEWS
President of the Republic Presented State Decorations
23 February - On the eve of the 91st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves presented the state decorations at Kadriorg Art Museum. Decorations are conferred in order to thank and recognise people who have maintained, promoted and safeguarded Estonia's independence. This year the head of state bestowed decorations on 97 people.
Upon presenting the decorations, President Ilves said: "A state decoration denotes Estonia's highest recognition. It is the most eloquent expression of our gratitude to those who have done more for our country than required by their profession.
It is a token of gratitude for your commitment, self-realisation and courage. You have made Estonia solid, given Estonia substance. You have been true to human values, realised that we need to have more fellow feeling, given more consideration to each others' joys and sorrows.
I feel truly privileged to stand before you today, my fellow countrymen and dear friends from abroad.
You do not have much in common when background and experience are concerned. Yet you share a common consideration for those around you and the desire to make the world better.
Consideration and commitment are especially important today, when we can see so much uncertainty and confusion around us. We must not surrender to our troubles, but face them with clear eyes and a peaceful mind. For this, we need a strong mind and a firm spirit. If we cast aside ethical values and try to get by with guile and greed, we are bound to lose our way, to lose our freedom and the paths open to free people. It is by spiritual strength that freedom is best protected. And you have that strength, as your lives amply prove.
Your lives will be entwined into the history of Estonia and Estonia's friends. They will be entwined into the history of our country with all its joys and sorrows; and your actions, your choices, your work will make beautiful chapters in that history. Your determination and steadfast actions set an example to all of us; you have contributed to a better Estonia.
I thank you, for because of you we have a wiser, greater, better and more considerate Estonia. Congratulations upon your distinguished decorations, congratulations also on the 91st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. You have the gratitude and esteem of the people of Estonia."
President Appoints Hanno Pevkur Minister of Social Affairs
20 February - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves signed a resolution today to appoint Hanno Pevkur Minister of Social Affairs as of 23 February and to release Maret Maripuu from this position.
The head of state met beforehand with prime minister Andrus Ansip and Hanno Pevkur, the candidate for minister, to discuss problems in the minister of social affairs' area of governance.
DEFENCE NEWS
Estonian Defence Forces Stage Parade on Peetri Square in Narva
24 February (BNS) - There were 755 members of the Estonian Defence Forces, the paramilitary Defence League, border guards and reservists lined up in Peetri Square in the Estonian border town of Narva for the Independence Day parade on 24 February.
The parade, under the command of Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots, Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, started at 11 a.m. and it was received by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
The infantry company of the Scouts Battalion took part in the parade on 16 Pasi armoured personnel carriers, the artillery battalion demonstrated its battery of 122 and 155 mm howitzers, while the Anti-aircraft Battalion was represented with 23 mm AA-guns and a battery of Mistral AA missile systems. In addition to its infantry company, men of the Viru Infantry Battalion took part in the parade with its Mapats and Milan antitank rocket systems.
From the Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion there was a battery of 120 mm mortars in the parade in addition to its infantry company.
Two weapons systems -- the anti-aircraft system Mapats and 122 mm howitzers bought from Finland -- were displayed in the parade for the first time.
A large crowd of local residents had gathered to watch the parade and the military hardware remained on display in the parking lot in front of the Geneva cultural centre in Narva until 2 p.m.
Aaviksoo Bestows Defence Ministry Decorations
23 February - At a special ceremony held in the Ministry of Defence to celebrate the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo awarded the decorations of the Ministry of Defence, which are bestowed for successful endeavours in enhancing Estonia's national defence.
At the special ceremony, the minister explained that Estonians have every reason to remember all of their fellow countrymen who fought for the Republic of Estonia in the War of Independence and other wars. The Estonian Defence Force members, who today are far away from home, stand for the state of Estonia and are worthy of remembering today, the defence minister said.
"Today, as we bestow the Ministry of Defence decorations, we wish to thank and acknowledge these men and women who today contribute to the development of Estonia's national defence, on the 91st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, Aaviksoo said.
The first class of the Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was bestowed on the Advisor of the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Johannes Kert, for his long-term contribution to the development of Estonia's national defence and the establishment of the NATO Centre of Excellence for Co-operative Cyber Defence.
The Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was instituted on 24 February 1998 as an order that is comprised of three classes. The first class of the order is awarded to give recognition to special services rendered for the defence of the Republic of Estonia or for the development and consolidation of Estonia's national defence structures. This award was bestowed on the former Minister of Defence Ülo Uluots post mortem.
In 2004, the highest decoration of the Ministry of Defence was bestowed on President Lennart Meri, Siim Kallas, Mart Laar, Jüri Luik, and Margus Kolga for their tireless contributions in ensuring Estonia's integration into NATO. In 2005, this award was bestowed on Brigadier General Märt Tiru and in 2007 to the former Minister of Defence Jürgen Ligi.Additional information on MOD decorations can be found at: http://www.kmin.ee/?op=body&id=542
Aaviksoo Met with US Secretary of Defence
19 February - Delegations led by Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo and his US colleague Robert Gates met in Krakow to discuss the future of bilateral military co-operation.
According to Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo, the five and a half year co-operation between Estonia and the USA in Iraq was exceptionally useful for both security policy and for purely military reasons. Therefore, Estonia is looking for continued, close bilateral co-operation with the USA in future military operations, Minister Aaviksoo said.
According to the minister of defence, different alternatives for continued military co-operation with the Americans are currently being researched. Considering the fact that Afghanistan is one of the most important operations for both NATO and the new US administration, it's quite likely that military co-operation between Estonia and USA will begin in Afghanistan, Aaviksoo said.
The formation of an Embedded Training Team with the Americans was highlighted by Defence Minister Aaviksoo as one of the possible military co-operation outputs. "The functions of the Training Team would involve taking the security forces in Afghanistan to a level where they could, in a long-term perspective, take over ensuring the security in Afghanistan, Aaviksoo explained.
US Secretary of Defence Gates thanked Estonia for its willingness to continue in Iraq and considered refocusing military capacities from Iraq to Afghanistan to be the correct approach. Secretary Gates also expressed his support for the continuation of the air policing mission of the Baltic states.
Minister of Defence Aaviksoo participated in an informal meeting of NATO defence ministers in Krakow. The future of the NATO Response Force (NRF), the planned structural reforms of NATO and ongoing international operations will be the main topics for discussion at the meeting.
The Commander of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant-General Ants Laaneots, the Estonian Ambassador to NATO Jüri Luik, and the Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Policy Sven Sakkov will accompany the minister of defence to the meeting.
1st Infantry Brigade to Be Affiliated with Danish Division
20 February - Within the framework of the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Krakow, Estonian Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo and Minister of Defence of Denmark Søren Gade signed a Letter of Intent that affiliates the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Defence Forces with the Danish Division.
The affiliation of the Estonian Infantry Brigade with the Danish Division would contribute to creating a closer link with higher units, organising training in line with NATO standards, and issuing guidelines for the development of the brigade's staff and units. Also, Estonian staff officers would gain operative planning experiences within the units, higher than a brigade, which would otherwise be quite difficult to achieve for Estonia.
Affiliation of the brigade with the Danish Division would not mean, however, that the Brigade would be transferred under Denmark's line of command; instead, this would be an affiliation for training purposes, resulting in full co-operational capability of the staffs and units of the two countries concerned, and also providing them with the capacity for launching joint operations.
The staff of the Danish Division will also form a command element of the NATO Response Forces unit NRF-14 in 2010. The joint infantry battalion of the Baltic states is also forming a part of the troops.
A Danish advisory team is operating in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania within the framework of the Brigades Project of the Baltic states, where in Estonia it is involved in the training of the staff and staff company of the 1st Infantry Brigade. The Lithuanian Iron Wolf infantry brigade is currently affiliated with the Danish Division.
The 1st Infantry Brigade represents the main manoeuvre unit of the Estonian Defence Forces, and it includes the majority of the units trained in the course of the compulsory military service period. The Scouts Battalion, consisting of professional Defence Forces members, also forms a part of this brigade.
The Danish Division (Danske Division) is a component of the Danish armed forces, and it is one of the four divisions that comprise the Northeast Corps.
Mine-hunter Ugandi Arrived in Estonia on Independence Day
23 February (BNS) - The new mine-hunter of the Estonian Navy landed at the Naval Port in Tallinn for the first time Tuesday at about 4 p.m.
The Estonian flag was raised on the earlier British Royal Navy ship of Bridgeport on 22 January in Scotland.
"The Ugandi will increase the versatility of the mine hunting capability of the Estonian navy," said Commander Ivo Värk, chief of staff of the Estonian Navy. "Contrary to the two other Sandown Class mine hunters, the Ugandi has a side-scan sonar that makes it possible to map the sea floor and analyse objects on it."
Värk added that the navy was planning to use the data collected by the Ugandi already this fall when several countries' mine hunting ships will once again arrive in Estonian waters in the framework of the Operation Open Spirit in order to clear sea lanes of mines laid there during the world wars.
The Ugandi was built in 1992 of non-magnetic composite plastic and is equipped with an up-to-date Seafox mine destruction system. Contrary to the two first ships, the Ugandi is provided with a Klein 5000 series side-scan sonar and a 23 mm cannon. The ship is 52.5 meters long and has a crew of 25.
"After the period away from home it is a warm feeling to see the skyline of Tallinn instead of the silhouette of the Forth railway bridge, commander of the ship First Lieutenant Marek Mardo said.
The Ugandi is the last of the three Sandown Class mine hunters acquired for the Estonian Navy from Great Britain. The first Sandown Class ship, EML Admiral Cowan, was handed over to Estonia in April 2007 and the second ship, Sakala, last January.
Under a contract signed with Great Britain in September 2006 Estonia bought a total of three Sandown Class mine hunters. The total cost of the three vessels was 800 million kroons (EUR 51.1 million), including repair and maintenance work of the ship and training of the crew in Great Britain. Sandown Class mine-hunters use Seafox type underwater robots for finding and destroying mines.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Estonian Ports Handle 3 Million Tonnes of Goods in January
18 February (BNS) - Statistics Estonia said that 3.04 million tonnes of goods were loaded and unloaded at Estonian ports in January.
The figure is 0.4% higher than in December and 2% higher than in January 2008.
Compared with December, the loading of ships increased by 74 800 tons while unloading contracted by 62 600 tons.
Compared with last January 15 200 tons more goods were loaded and 45 000 tons more goods were unloaded last month.
SPORTS NEWS
President Ilves Congratulated Andrus Veerpalu on Victory at Nordic World Championships
20 February - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves today phoned Andrus Veerpalu, who won a gold medal in the men's 15-kilometer classical race at the Nordic World Championships in Liberec, and congratulated him on the world title.
Veerpalu came in first by 6.3 seconds.
Your victory is a stunning and positive inspiration in today's complicated situation, President Ilves said. The world title is the best possible gift for the country on the occasion of the 91st anniversary of the Republic. I congratulate you and your team on behalf of the Estonian people.
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