|
|
 |
Estonian Review 21 - 27 January 2009
30.01.2009
CZECH REPUBLIC NEW EU PRESIDENCY
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
CZECH REPUBLIC NEW EU PRESIDENCY
Paet: Diversified Suppliers Only Way to Guarantee Energy Security for EU
26 January - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the council of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels. The new Czech EU presidency presented the priority topics and goals for its term. The primary topic of discussion was energy security.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the recent gas quarrel between Ukraine and Russia demonstrated that we cannot delay in further developing the external aspect of the European Union's energy policy. We must find alternative energy sources and suppliers, said Foreign Minister Paet. The Estonian foreign minister asserted that we must start implementing the European Union Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan, which was unveiled by the European Commission last November.
We need to quickly work out a well-functioning internal market with sufficient connections and the appropriate infrastructures, he added. We should give preference to projects that do away with the isolated energy markets in Europe and allow us to implement solidarity among member states, increasing competition for the already successful markets at the same time, Paet specified. Foreign Minister Paet expressed that, from the standpoint of energy security, it is very important to move forward as quickly as possible to create Baltic energy connections as well as north-south connections with Central and South-eastern Europe, and also to connect to the energy networks of countries along the North Sea.
While discussing the European Union's relations with Ukraine and Russia, the EU foreign policy leaders agreed that the gas quarrel between the two countries, which was entirely unacceptable, clearly showed that the European Union is in dire need of a unified integrated energy market. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that all agreements addressing gas supply and transport should be transparent and based upon the principles of the WTO and the Energy Charter.
The European Union foreign ministers agreed that both Ukraine and Russia are strategic partners with whom the EU needs to continue developing relations and intensifying co-operation, although the large-scale supply and transport interruptions marred the trustworthiness of both partners in the eyes of the European Union. We must continue to support Ukraine's European integration and continue negotiations for the association agreement and the visa dialogue, acknowledged Foreign Minister Paet.
The most important foreign policy topics for the Czech Republic's presidency are the further development of the European Neighbourhood Policy's Eastern Partnership, transatlantic co-operation, and advancing the Western Balkans' integration with the EU. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that it is essential to formulate concrete policies and strategies for the European Commission's Eastern Partnership conception that could be approved during the spring council. This would ensure even better opportunities for the target countries to grow closer to the EU and have the Union's support.
FOREIGN NEWS
President Ilves Receives Prestigious Polish Business Award, Meets with President
23 January - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves travelled to Poland to receive the 2008 grand prize from the Polish Business Club Association in Warsaw. The presentation of the Polish Business Club Oscar is recognition of President Ilves's work in promoting an integrated Europe, supporting the enlargement of the European Union, promoting democracy, and expanding friendly and diverse co-operation between Poland and Estonia, as well as the other Baltic countries.
According to Ryszard Konwerski, the President of the Polish Business Club Association, President Ilves's interest in and support for the Polish state and people has been a source of hope in the Polish business world for further development of friendship between our nations and an ever increasing growth of economic co-operation and for creating, in Poland, solutions fostering the integration process.
The prize is presented to recognise people whose activities in the international arena support Poland's objectives for European integration and the achievement and maintenance of equality among democratic countries. In the past, this award has been presented to Javier Solana, Margaret Thatcher, Valdas Adamkus, Pat Cox and Lech Wałęsa.
In the course of his visit, President Ilves also met with Polish President Lech Kaczyński. The two spoke about the global financial and economic crisis.
According the Estonian head of state, the countries that will recover faster and more easily from the crisis are the ones with governments that demonstrate sufficient decisiveness and judgment to make unpopular decisions in the name of the future; decisions directed at reducing government spending and strengthening enterprise.
Encouraging entrepreneurship in difficult times is one of the most complicated, and yet most important challenges, President Ilves said. Successful enterprise means jobs, a reduction of taxes, as well as a sense of security for people and the country.
Presidents Ilves and Kaczyński agree that it is important that Europe dare to speak honestly about its history.
This means that we should speak freely about 1939 and the division of spheres of influence between Stalin's Soviet Union and Hitler's Germany, which robbed many countries of their independence; this means that we should speak about all the crimes that were committed, without differentiating between the regimes that committed them, President Ilves said.
At the meeting, ideas were exchanged on the topic of the European Commission's Eastern Partnership initiative, which they saw as an opportunity for political and economic convergence between the European Union and the Community's eastern neighbours.
Estonian and Russian Foreign Ministries Agree to Regular Political Consultations
23 January - During the political consultations that took place between the Estonian and Russian foreign ministries in Tallinn, the primary focus was on practical co-operation in bilateral relations.
Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry Marten Kokk and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Vladimir Titov led the consultations, and the delegations discussed bilateral relations and regional co-operation as well as current topics in European Union and world politics.
While talking about agreements between Estonia and Russia, Estonia brought to light the need for concluding a new pension insurance agreement. The social security agreement that exists between Estonia and Russia will expire in 2011 and needs updating. We agreed that our experts will work on preparations for a new agreement in the near future, said Foreign Ministry Secretary General Marten Kokk.
One central topic was economic relations and projects between the two countries. Both parties agreed that things should progress with concrete steps. In order to enliven economic activity, one idea was to revive the work of the transportation commission that deals with all the logistics and infrastructure issues between the countries.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the occurrence of bilateral consultations is a good sign of a constructive relationship between the nations. Finding concrete solutions and concluding mutually useful agreements between Estonia and Russia is in the best interest of both nations' citizens. One good example is the Agreement on Co-operation and Mutual Assistance for the Prevention and Management of Emergencies, which both sides are prepared to sign, said Paet.
Paet stated that preparations for many other agreements will continue. For example, the delegations discussed a diplomatic real estate agreement, an Agreement on Co-operation in Aeronautical Search and Rescue, an agreement addressing the status of military and civilian burial places, a co-operation agreement between the Russian Anti-Monopoly Authority and the Estonian Competition Agency, and a cross-border co-operation agreement, he added.
The delegations also agreed to continue holding regular Estonia-Russia political consultations.
The meeting of the delegations was followed by a dinner between Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Vladimir Titov.
Estonia Supports European Union Neighbours through Neighbourhood Investment Facility Trust Fund
27 January - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet signed the Agreement Constituting the Implementation Rules of the Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF) Trust Fund in Brussels. The fund supports the European Union's neighbour and partner countries. Estonia will make a contribution of 15 million kroons (1 million EUR) in three parts over three years. The money is being allocated from the Foreign Ministry's budget for development and humanitarian aid.
The main goal of the trust fund is to help achieve the strategic goals of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that by donating funding, Estonia hopes to help strengthen the connectivity of infrastructures of the European Union and neighbouring countries in the transport and energy sectors, and also to help resolve common environmental problems and generally support the activities of our neighbours.
The Neighbourhood Investment Facility unites the loans given by European public monetary authorities with the financial support from the European Community and contributions made by member states, since the sums are more effective when they are all joined together and it is possible to fund large-scale activities, ensuring that EU development co-operation will have greater visibility in our partner states, Paet added.
The parties to the agreement are the European Union member states that contribute to the fund, the European Commission, and the fund manager, the European Investment Bank. Other EU member states that contribute to the trust fund are Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden.
The European Commission approved a declaration on strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy on 4 December 2006 and a declaration on a strong Neighbourhood Policy on 5 December 2007, which proposed that an investment facility be created that would primarily support infrastructure costs in neighbouring and partner states.
Estonian President and Lithuanian PM: It Is Important to Stimulate Enterprise at This Time
27 January - The financial and economic crisis that has struck Estonia and Lithuania does not allow us to just wait for events to transpire, but requires fast, intelligent and purposeful action from all governments, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said at his meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.
Estonia is planning vigorous steps to limit possible budgetary deficits and to be prepared to adopt the euro in 2011. This means painful cuts in larger budgetary items, President Ilves said. According to the Estonian head of state, the best possibility for small open states like the Baltic countries to enliven their economies is to continue to provide advantageous environments for enterprise, which support the rapid adoption of the euro and render the public sector more effective, while also maintaining a stable tax environment and the vitality of the export sector.
Therefore, it is very important to focus on government stimulus for enterprise, especially export-related enterprise, the Estonian head of state stressed. In the broader sense, one of our most important challenges is to restore confidence in the Baltic countries.
President Ilves and Prime Minister Kubilius also spoke about economic relations between Estonia and Lithuania and felt that closer co-operation was essential. Lithuania is one of the most important destination countries for Estonian investments, with 28% of all investment being made there. Last fall the volume of Estonian investments totalled 20.7 billion EEK. At the same time, the total volume of Lithuanian direct investments in Estonia was 2.4 billion EEK.
At the meeting, local energy security was also discussed. The Estonian head of state encouraged Latvia and Lithuania to make a decision on another important project-the location of the electrical connection leading to Sweden.
In order to guarantee the energy security of the Baltic region, it is critically important to establish the missing connections, although along with the connections, the creation of a common energy market covering the Baltic and Nordic countries must also occur, President Ilves emphasised. Our objective must be a common Baltic and Nordic energy market by 2013.
Speaking about Lithuania's new nuclear power, President Ilves said that Estonia continues to be interested in participating in the project, but added, Unfortunately, the latest contacts between the partners have not been very productive and we wish to see the rapid development of the project.
Paet: Gaza Truce is Extremely Fragile
26 January - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in a meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union as well as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Palestine in Brussels. They discussed the aftermath of the Gaza crisis.
The foreign ministers agreed that the creation of a Palestinian state next to Israel remains the primary goal of the peace process. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the truce in Gaza is extremely fragile, and therefore the peace process should be revived as quickly as possible. The European Union has expressed support for achieving a lasting peace. The EU also supports Egypt in organising negotiations for the parties involved in the conflict, said Paet. The goal should be to create a unified Palestinian government, he added.
Paet also stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a great problem. The European Union is prepared to provide help. It is also essential to open the Gaza border points and take steps towards ending illegal arms trade, he said.
The European Union foreign ministers expressed support for the Arab Peace Initiative. Resolving humanitarian problems is definitely the priority right now, though it should go hand in hand with the political process for achieving a lasting peace, asserted the EU foreign ministers. Paet said that the deaths of civilians and the destruction of UN buildings in attacks are unacceptable.
Estonia has helped alleviate the humanitarian situation in the Gaza sector by donating 1 million kroons to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Italy Ready to Welcome Estonia to Euro Zone
23 January - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Harri Tiido and political director of the Foreign Ministry Clyde Kull met with Italian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Alfredo Mantica, who was in Estonia on a visit.
Topics discussed at the meetings were European Union enlargement, matters related to the Mediterranean Union, and co-operation in international organisations. They also addressed energy policy and Italy's presidency of the G8.
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Italian Secretary of State for Political Affairs Alfredo Mantica discussed the effects of the financial crisis. Secretary of State Mantica expressed support for Estonia joining the Euro zone. While speaking about energy security, Secretary of State Mantica stated that 30% of the gas used in Italy originates from Russia.
While talking about relations between the two nations, the ministers agreed that business seminars should be organised to enliven economic relations. The first mission involving Estonian businessmen and economic officials in Italy took place in 2001. In 2005 a business seminar took place in Tallinn that was attended by nearly 70 Italian entrepreneurs.
Foreign Minister Paet stated that high-level visits would also help to enliven bilateral relations. We are expecting Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini to visit Estonia in the middle of March, Paet noted. We would also like to improve the agreement base. Hopefully Estonia and Italy will be able to sign a co-operation agreement for combating crime, terrorism and illegal narcotics trade in the near future, added the foreign minister.
The parties also talked about their nations' planned candidacies for UN subsidiary organs and discussed opportunities for supporting one another's candidacies. Estonia would like to run to be in the UN Human Rights Council from 2012-2015 and an elected member of the UN Security Council from 2020-2021, stated Foreign Minister Paet.
The foreign ministers discussed the matter of European Union enlargement. It is essential to continue with the enlargement process in accordance with the measures agreed upon in 2006, said Paet. We support the reform processes of Turkey and Croatia and the advancement of accession negotiations, Paet added.
Estonia Supports Visa Freedom for Serbia with European Union
27 January - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his Serbian colleague Vuc Jeremić in Brussels. At the meeting, Foreign Minister Paet clearly expressed support for Serbia's integration with the EU as well as for its visa freedom perspective.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that Estonia recognises Serbia's steps towards European Union accession and completely supports Serbian reforms. The Serbian side has already begun to implement the Stabilisation and Association Agreement concluded with the European Union, without waiting for the ratification process to be completed in all EU member states. Serbia has also expressed is readiness to co-operate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and accepted the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo, Paet added.
Paet declared that Estonia supports the visa freedom perspective for Serbia as well as other Western Balkan nations. Serbia's progress on the road map to visa freedom is worthy of recognition, and hopefully Serbia will soon fulfil all the requirements to gain visa freedom with the EU, said Paet.
While talking about Estonia-Serbia bilateral relations, the Estonian foreign minister stated that Estonia must begin negotiations to prepare an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, because the interest of Estonian businessmen towards Serbia has grown.
Paet invited Jeremić to visit Estonia, and the two agreed that political consultations between the two countries would be held this year.
Estonian Ambassador to Norway Presents his Credentials
22 January - Estonian Ambassador to Norway Arti Hilpus presented his credentials to King of Norway Harald V.
In the conversation following the credential-presenting ceremony, King Harald V and Ambassador Arti Hilpus primarily discussed bilateral relations, both declaring that relations are very good as always. Ambassador Hilpus expressed his satisfaction over how well Nordic-Baltic co-operation functions. It is a flexible and practical co-operation network, within the framework of which representatives from Estonia and Norway meet frequently, said Hilpus. The ambassador also noted that Estonia and Norway should try to intensify direct contacts.
Harald V recalled the state visit he once made to Estonia with fond words and inquired about recent developments in Estonia. He was also interested to hear about Estonia's experiences thus far as a European Union and NATO member state. Estonia's membership in the European Union and NATO has increased Estonia's feeling of security, and has in a short amount of time become a very natural thing for Estonians, said Ambassador Hilpus. He also acknowledged that Estonia and Norway's bond as NATO members offers good opportunities for further co-operation between the two countries.
Ambassador Arti Hilpus resides in Oslo. Hilpus has also been named the Estonian ambassador to Iceland.
Ambassador Arti Hilpus was born in Elva in 1972, graduated from the history department of Tartu University and completed the international course at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. From 1995-1996, Arti Hilpus worked as an advisor at the State Chancellery, after which he served as the director of the human resources department of the Foreign Ministry. From 1999-2000 and 2005-2006, Hilpus was the director of the division for European Union joint foreign and security policy at the Foreign Ministry. Hilpus worked in the Estonian Embassy in Berlin from 2001-2004. Before going to Norway, Hilpus last held the position of the director of the security policy division in the first political department.
Estonia Established Diplomatic Ties with Samoa
23 January - The permanent representative of the Republic of Estonia to the UN Ambassador Tiina Intelmann and Ambassador of the Independent State of Samoa Ali'ioaiga Feturi Elisaia signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the two nations in New York.
During the discussion that followed the signing ceremony, topics included opportunities for developing relations between the two nations. Estonians are very interested in different places all over the world - Samoa could become a destination for Estonian tourists, said Tiina Intelmann as an example for developing economic relations.
The ambassadors also discussed the European Union's co-operation with nations in the Pacific Ocean, as well as the political situation in that region. They addressed current topics on the UN's agenda, including development funding and the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Samoa is located in the Pacific Ocean and is made up of two large islands, Upola and Savai, which constitute 99% of the nation's area, as well as many smaller islands. The population of Samoa is 217 000 and its area is 2 944 km2. Estonians, as well as holders of any other valid passport, may visit Samoa for up to 30 days without a visa.
DOMESTIC NEWS
President Ilves: The Estonian Language is the Cement of Being Estonian
22 January - The Estonian language has been the skill, the substantial part of our being, that has helped us survive. Despite all the difficulties and setbacks, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said at the language forum organised yesterday by the Estonian Language Council and the University of Tartu in Tallinn. For some cultures it is their religion, for others their territory, and yet others their values and ideals, the president said. The cement of Estonians' collectiveness and of being Estonian is the Estonian language.
The head of state expressed hope that the current Year of Innovation will also be expanded to include our language. If we examine our last 17 years of freedom, I would like to ask-where are our language innovations? President Ilves asked.
The principle that naturalist Charles Darwin formulated 150 years ago is also valid for language-longevity is only guaranteed by adaptability. The Estonian language is long-lived, therefore it has been able to adapt, the head of state noted. Johannes Voldemar Veski and Johannes Aavik made significant and positive contributions to the adaptability of the Estonian language.
During the new period of independence, new words have not been brought into our vocabulary in a volume or with a success comparable to Aavik. Only the word lõim immediately comes to mind and even this was a derivative of an older word, President Ilves said.
If the Estonian language does not include precise and necessary concepts, we will inevitably be left out of many important discussions. And this means that we will be poorer, the Head of State said, adding, I believe that the protection of the language, its preservation and development, can only be successful if we purposefully and continually deal with the updating of the language.
Naturally, our conservative attitude is based on reasons from our language's history. Yes, we must protect our language. But at the same time, we must also develop it if we want Estonian to survive as a language of culture and science, President Ilves declared.
Third of Potential Parents Say Benefit Influences Plans for Children
21 January - The parental benefit paid by the state to a parent staying away from work for 1.5 years after childbirth has influenced the plans of about one third of people of child-rearing age in Estonia regarding having a child, it appears from a recent survey.
Of the respondents, 9.9% said the parental benefit has influenced their plans to a substantial degree and 26.3% said it has influenced them to some degree.
For 63.2% of respondents there was no effect whatsoever and 0.6% were unable to say.
The so-called parental pay equals the parent's wage or salary before the birth of the child. A ceiling on the payments is applied, which at the time of the survey in last October was 25 209 kroons (EUR 1 611) a month.
When asked about the ceiling, 13% of respondents said it could be higher and 63% that it could be lower. One-tenth saw the limit as appropriate. The ceiling this year stands at 30 729 kroons.
It also appears from the survey that residents of Estonia mostly view a family with two children as a norm and also wish to have two children themselves.
The desired number of children has declined somewhat over the past decade, with residents now seeing 2.59 on average as the optimal number of children in a family, compared with 2.64 children in a similar survey in 1999.
The respondents themselves had on the average 1.1 children, whereas people interviewed in the 1999 poll had on average 1.02 children.
The survey commissioned by the office of the population minister was carried out by the Centre for Social Analysis by interviewing 801 people of ages 20-40 across Estonia last October.
DEFENCE NEWS
National Defence Teacher Training Courses Begin in Tallinn University
26 January - The National Defence teacher training course, which is designed for current and future teachers of national defence and is supported by the Ministry of Defence, began in Tallinn University.
Those who successfully pass the training course are entitled to teach national defence in schools and they will also attain 16 credit points. In all, 44 people have registered for the courses. The programme includes lectures on Estonian military history, today's crises and armed conflicts, the organisation of national defence in Estonia and the functions of the Defence Forces, service and discipline in the Defence Forces, shooting, topography, first aid and pedagogy. The training course consists of lectures delivered at Tallinn University and field camp practice with the Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion. The professors are mainly Defence Forces and Defence League officers. According to Mr Hellar Lill, director of the personnel department of the Ministry of Defence and the curator of national defence studies, the courses are designed to offer the participants both interesting knowledge and an intellectual challenge. We're also looking for active contributions from the participants in developing a new national defence studies syllabus, said Mr Lill, who himself teaches national defence in Jüri Gymnasium.
Tallinn University, in co-operation with the Ministry of Defence, has organised similar courses, with intervals, since the 1997/1998 academic year. All graduates of the Estonian National Defence Colleges also receive the qualification of national defence teacher.
The Ministry of Defence supports schools that deliver national defence lessons with training materials and field excursions and camps. The Ministry of Defence also organises in-service training for national defence teachers, as well as seminars aimed at increasing the popularity of the subject for school principals.
In May 2008, Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo and Minister of Education Tõnis Lukas laid down a national defence action plan for 2008 until 2013. This year the Ministry of Education, working with the Ministry of Education and Research, intends to develop new national defence curricula; the plans also include the publishing of a new and updated national defence textbook in 2010.
In this academic year, national defence is being taught in approximately 100 schools all over Estonia.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Selver Opens Third Store in Latvia
22 January - The supermarket chain Selver, part of the listed Estonian retailer Tallinna Kaubamaja, opened its third store in Latvia in the East Latvian town of Kuldiga. The store employs 33 people.
The two-storey shopping center in Kuldiga has an area of 2 677 square meters, of which 1 442 square meters is at Selver's disposal, the company said.
Among other lessees are a pet and a flower shop, a drugstore and a shop of children's goods. Customers have the use of a car park with 49 spaces.
Selver opened stores in the Latvian towns of Ogre and Rezekne late last year and plans to expand to Daugavpils, Salaspils and Aizkraukle this year.
The consolidated sales of Selver totaled 4.3 billion kroons (EUR 274.8 mln) in 2008. The chain has at present 35 stores in Estonia and Latvia, in which 28.9 million purchases were made last year.
SPORTS NEWS
Kowalczyk Wins Ladies' 10-km Classical Race in Otepää
24 January - Justyna Kowalczyk won the first event of the FIS World Cup Otepää competitons, ladies' 10 km classical.
Kowalczyk (Poland) won the race with 26:25.6, with Finns Aino-Kaisa Saarinen and Virpi Kuitunen losing respectively 26.2 seconds and 46.6 seconds to the winner.
None of the four Estonian women skiers made it into the top thirty group. Kaija Udras finished 42nd, Tatjana Mannima 47th, Laura Rohtla 50th and Liis Kalda 51st.
Bauer Wins Mens' 15-km Classical Race in Otepää
24 January - Lukas Bauer from the Czech Republic won the Otepää round, men's 15 km classical, with Estonia's Jaak Mae finishing ninth.
Bauer, who won the Otepää 15 km race for the second year running, covered the distance in 35:43.6. Johan Olsson from Sweden finished second, 1.5 seconds behind the winner, and Vincent Vittoz from France third, 9.3 seconds later than Bauer.
Jaak Mae was the best Estonian, finishing ninth, with a time 25.5 seconds slower than the winner.
Andrus Veerpalu was 33rd (1:34.4 slower than the winner) with Aivar Rehemaa and Kaspar Kokk 0.2 seconds later immediately after him, both finishing 1:34.6 later than Bauer.
PDF 321 KB
 
|
|
