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Estonian Review: 17 December 2008 - 6 January 2009
09.01.2009
GREETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC ON THE EVE OF 2009
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
GREETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC ON THE EVE OF 2009
Dear citizens,
As we stand at the threshold of the New Year together, I ask you to take a quick look at the path we have walked separately and together. I invite you to take a look at this path, where it leads and where we might slip.
The words of the poet Artur Alliksaar might offer us some support:
there are no times lived without a purpose/
we may not understand the purpose just yet.
The facts of the year that's coming to its end are pleasantly clear - more people were born and fewer people died in Estonia than in many earlier years. We were more careful on the roads; we were wiser in how we lived our lives. This means that 2008 was a good year for our people. We have to wish the same from the New Year.
We felt each other's supporting shoulders on many occasions: when we worked together, when we sang together, when we celebrated the victories of our sportsmen and -women.
We cannot measure the joy of being together and the will to meet each other in money or percentages of growth. You either have it or you don't. We do. Estonia is therefore a happy and healthy society. This is our real power and we are the only ones who can give it up or give it away.
But we will not give it up and we will not give it away. Our will to be together is proven by the community and voluntary activities that have become parts of our everyday lives.
We celebrated the 90th birthday of our state together and expressed our gratitude to those who established and looked after our state. They had no doubts 90 years ago and we have no doubts today that Estonia has the strength and wisdom it needs to cope with its everyday problems, including those that may emerge in the future.
Because we admit to ourselves that we are stepping into the New Year with hesitation rather than confidence. The times that lie ahead make many of us anxious and insecure.
Our economic indicators show that the next year may be one of the most complicated for Estonia in this century. We are still on the way to the bottom of the valley of economic crisis.
How deep the valley is and how far the way up is - I do not know. Nobody knows.
The concerns of the Estonia of our dreams - the successful and hard-working Estonia - have thrown many of us into despair and self-pity.
We cannot create a better future for ourselves if we give up and waste our time on looking for culprits inside and outside Estonia. 2009 is also the year of innovation: the year of new ideas, creative thinking and doing things differently. We are the only ones who can decide how to go further.
We all know that a new rise will come in Estonia if we manage to keep our strength of mind and our faith in these two main things: our state and our own skills. The next year will be another test for Estonia. It will show us what we are worth; how clever and foresighted we are; whether our spirit will stand the pressure of hard times.
Yes, we can stand the pressure. We do not want anyone to have any doubts about this.
My dear compatriots,
It has been a good tradition to wish for something at the start of the new year. We know that these wishes come true if we believe in them and work for their achievement. Our tomorrow is for us to create. We will not see it in a crystal ball; it will not fall into our laps.
As the head of state and a citizen, I have three wishes for each of us this New Year's Eve.
First of all, let us not allow economic difficulties to shake our common belief in the foundations of the state of Estonia - democracy, the primacy of laws and freedom. Once we start doubting these beliefs, our independence will come under threat.
No difficulty justifies looking for alternative paths to honest government, honest business and citizen's honesty. What we should do is rid ourselves from excessive vanity, greed, lust for power, envy and other sins.
As free people, we have to stand up against the flood of aggressive vulgarity and pseudo-choices. Instead of trying to trod each other down and harbouring poisonous thoughts, we need understanding, thinking and helping each other more than anything else in the new year.
Secondly, I wish along with all of you that in the next year, our government would feel its responsibility to act as a team that is able to make decisions and, if necessary, sacrifice its partisan interests in the name of the future of Estonia. Only by justifying difficult decisions, trusting the people and talking honestly can the government hope that people will appreciate its choices.
Today is not the time for bringing each other down or clinging tightly to promises made in the past. We all have to adjust our plans today and postpone our dreams and promises until the times have changed. The government and the state have to do the same. The reserves collected in better times will allow Estonia to survive the economic turmoil better than those who simply spent.
And thirdly: look around you - see your family, your friends, your colleagues; everyone who is with you at the moment. And with me, tell each other, one another: we will do it, we will manage. Just as we have always managed.
I hope we will all be in good health, have lots of love for the people in our lives and that all our biggest wishes will come true. This will turn these difficult times into nothing more than a chapter in the history book of Estonia.
Happy New Year, dear Estonia!
FOREIGN NEWS
Estonia Calls on Russia to Support OSCE Mission in Georgia
23 December - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet expressed regret over Russia's opposition to extending the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) mission in Georgia. Because of Russia's resistance, the OSCE was unable to find a common position regarding the extension of the mission's mandate.
In a statement made on behalf of the EU on 22 December, the European Union presidency France expressed regret over the blocking of the OSCE's Georgia mission and praised the efforts of the OSCE presidency Finland to reach a consensus regarding the mission mandate. Finland aimed to continue the mission and offered many possible solutions. Foreign Minister Paet stated that the discontinuation of the mission due to Russia's resistance will undermine the reputation of the organisation known as the cornerstone of European security, as well as its ability to act. The ending of the OSCE mission will increase instability in the region, he added.
Foreign Minister Paet said that Russia's opposition to the extension of the OSCE Georgia mission's mandate is incomprehensible. Although Russia has repeatedly made accusations of human rights violations in Georgian conflict areas, it does not wish to allow OSCE monitors to continue resolving the situation, emphasised Foreign Minister Paet.
Estonia is calling upon Russia to support the very important activities of the OSCE mission for achieving stability in the region. The OSCE still has much to do in Georgia, especially regarding the situations in the separatist regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia, stressed the Estonian foreign minister.
EU Foreign Ministers: Israel-Palestine Conflict Cannot be Solved by Military Means
31 December - At the extraordinary informal meeting of the European Union foreign minister that took place in Paris, the foreign policy leaders called upon Hamas and Israel to cease military activity immediately and allow humanitarian aid access to Gaza. The ministers also recognised the mediation work done by Egypt and the Arab League for resolving the newly escalated conflict.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the European Union foreign ministers emphasised that the Israel-Palestine conflict cannot be resolved with military means. "The solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine must be based upon the Annapolis process and the creation of a Palestinian state that can peacefully co-exist with Israel," said the Estonian foreign minister. "Therefore it is extremely necessary for a truce to come into effect and the peace process to be resumed," he added.
In Paris, the European Union foreign ministers noted that the European Union, as the main donor of development aid in Palestine, is prepared to send quick humanitarian aid to Gaza in co-operation with the UN and third sector aid organisations.
"It is crucial to prevent the further loss of civilian lives and for humanitarian aid to have access to the Gaza region," stressed the Estonian foreign minister. "The end of military violence must also mean the opening of border points, the distribution of food and medical aid to the Gaza region, and the evacuation of injured residents. The European Union is prepared to help with the re-opening of the Rafah border crossing in co-operation with Egypt, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority," Paet added.
Estonia Donates Million Kroons to Alleviate Aftermath of War in Gaza
2 January - The Estonian Foreign Ministry decided to donate 1 million kroons through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for alleviating the humanitarian situation in the Gaza sector.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is extremely dire and the access of humanitarian aid to those in need must be improved. "Therefore Estonia is also doing its part to better the situation of those who have suffered in the war," said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet.
Various reports state that since 27 December, 380 people have perished and 1 600 have been injured in the military violence, and the UN estimates that 25% of those killed were civilians. Air raids have done significant damage to the area's delicate infrastructure and destroyed Palestine's ability to offer public services.
The Commissioner-General of the UNRWA, Karen AbuZayd, stated that this is the most severe crisis in the region in the last eight years. On 31 December the UNRWA called upon the international community to help gather 34,421,100 dollars to help the citizens of Gaza. The UNRWA's goal is to give effective humanitarian aid to alleviate the effects of the ongoing military operations in Gaza. The UNRWA's 34 millions dollar aid plea will cover hygienic necessities, food, cash, building materials, and fuel for the next four months. Due to the winter season, it is necessary to provide shelter for the people.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a humanitarian aid organisation that since 1949 has provided emergency aid to more than 4.6 million refugees in Gaza, the Jordan River shores, Lebanon, and Syria. The UNRWA focuses on offering shelter, providing families with cash to purchase necessities, giving food aid to suffering families, and providing fuel for municipal governments. The UNRWA is the UN's greatest operation in the Middle East and most of its workers are refugees themselves.
Estonian Parliament Backs NATO Entry of Albania, Croatia
17 December - Estonian lawmakers approved the protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty under which Albania and Croatia will become members of NATO.
The ratification act was passed with 59 votes in favor and two abstentions.
NATO members agreed on the accession of Albania and Croatia to the alliance at a summit in Bucharest in early April of 2008 and the protocols were signed in Brussels on July 9.
After all members of the alliance have completed their domestic endorsement procedures, the NATO secretary general will hand Albania and Croatia official invitations for membership.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said in parliament that the enlargement of NATO has been a high foreign policy priority to Estonia. He recalled that Albania started work with a Membership Action Plan in 1999 like Estonia and has thus participated in the process of preparation for membership for over nine years. During that time the country has made significant progress in implementing both political and defence and security reforms.
Croatia's integration into the alliance began a little later, after the country's situation changed in the first years of this century, and it received the road map to membership in 2002. "During this relatively short time Croatia has shown itself to be a very capable reformer," Paet said.
It is not unimportant that both countries have already contributed to NATO operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan, Paet observed. "We are certain that the NATO accession of Croatia and Albania will reinforce democracy and stability in the Balkans region of Europe and it will also be a stimulus to other Western Balkan countries to follow the same path in the near future," the minister added.
Parliaments of nine NATO countries beside Estonia have endorsed the accession of Croatia and Albania to date.
Paet: Co-operation and Mutual Understanding Between European Union and Arab Nations Necessary
19 December - Increasing reciprocal trust and the Middle East peace process were the main topics at the meeting of the foreign ministers of European Union and Arab nations in Vienna.
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said in his speech that relations between European Union and Arab countries must be deepened first and foremost in the areas of culture, technology, energy, and environmental protection. The creation of the Mediterranean Union increases the accountability of each nation and makes relations more concrete and visible than they were before, said Paet.
Paet stated that it is necessary to better understand each other's culture and traditions. Misinformation and preconceptions can lead to racism and xenophobia. Shattering stereotypes is very important for the future development of relations, he added. Paet believes that co-operation between the EU and the Arab League in election monitoring and crisis prevention is also essential. Naturally, we also value intercultural dialogue, the development of which is helped by the Anna Lindh Foundation, he said.
At the conference, which focused on dialogue between Europe and the Arab world, the foreign ministers also agreed that it is important to take advantage of the willingness of countries to make agreements in an effort to resolve the Middle East conflict.
Foreign Minister Discusses Fight Against Piracy with Yemeni, Saudi Arabian Colleagues
19 December - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Yemen Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Qirbi and State Minister for External Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nizar Obeid Madan in Vienna.
At his meeting with the foreign minister of Yemen, the two discussed establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. We agreed to establish diplomatic ties in the near future, said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. Following that, a non-residing ambassador of Yemen to Estonia can be named, he added.
They also discussed the battle against piracy in Aden harbour near Yemen, as well as the situation in Somalia. Foreign Minister of Yemen Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Qirbi stated that international peacekeeping forces would be needed to strengthen the fight against piracy and improve the situation in Somalia. He noted that the European Union could also play a large role. Foreign Minister Paet said that the European Union started a military operation for combating piracy off the coast of Somalia two weeks ago. The entire international community needs to co-operate in order for a lasting result to be achieved, Paet emphasised.
At his meeting with the state minister for external affairs of Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Paet proposed that the countries name reciprocal honorary consuls. Paet also extended an invitation for the Saudi Arabian minister to visit Estonia.
The Estonian foreign minister stated that Saudi Arabia is a key nation in ensuring stability in the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East. Saudi Arabia's role in the Middle East peace process is extremely important, Paet asserted. Foreign Minister Paet also said that Saudi Arabia is one of the most significant donor nations for development aid in the world. Estonia is interested in Saudi Arabia's activities contributing to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq, he added.
Paet stated that Estonia would like to create an agreement base with Saudi Arabia and develop contacts in both the political and economic realms. He made a proposal for a Saudi Arabian business delegation to visit Estonia.
Estonia Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Libya
18 December - Estonia's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Tiina Intelmann and Libya's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Giadalla A. Ettalhi signed a joint communiqué in New York. The document establishes diplomatic relations between the Republic of Estonia and the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Great Jamahiriya.
During the discussion that took place after the signing ceremony, the ambassadors acknowledged that relations between the nations must be developed and discussed possibilities for intensifying contacts between Estonia and Libya. Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, Estonia's Permanent Representative to the UN, expressed satisfaction over the establishment of diplomatic relations. We hope that now, after the diplomatic ties have been created, bilateral relations will begin to develop as well, said Intelmann.
The Middle East and Africa were also briefly discussed in relation to Libya's membership in the UN Security Council.
Libya was the last country in Northern Africa with which Estonia had not established diplomatic ties.
Libya is a nation in Northern Africa on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern end of the Sahara. The total area of the nation is 1,759,540 km² and the population is 5,499,100. The capital of Libya is Tripoli.
Ambassador Laidre Gives Decoration to Guitarist Robert Fripp
17 December - Estonian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Margus Laidre gave the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana 4th Class to well-known British musician Robert Fripp.
The high national honour given out by the President of the Republic prior to Independence Day was bestowed upon British guitarist and composer Fripp for musical thinking that broadened the cultural borders of the world and for advancing Estonia-England cultural ties.
Robert Fripp has performed with his solo project Kirikumaastikud/Churchscapes within the framework of Jazzkaar in many Estonian churches. The artist stated that the concerts he gave in Estonia were some of the high points of his almost 40-year professional career. The concerts in Estonia were extraordinary, because the public really knew how to listen, Fripp noted.
Ambassador Laidre has described Fripp's works as a phenomenon that is, unfortunately, seen less and less in today's world-a musician weathered by life's storms who dares to expose his psyche regardless of the risk of being punished by superficial commercial culture. Fripp's music is for thinking people, people free of preconceptions and ready for something totally new. This is emotional music about living, being and beyond, which brings us from the material world back to more lasting values, commented Laidre.
Robert Fripp is primarily known as a member and founder of the once progressive rock group King Crimson, but he has also worked with, among others, Brian Eno, David Sylviani, The Orb, Thomas Feldmann, and The Future Sound of London. The popular music magazine Rolling Stone named Fripp one of the 100 best guitarists of all time.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Proportion of Population Opposed to Euro is Lowest in Three Years
18 December - According to a survey organised by TNS Emor, half of the population of Estonia support the adoption of the euro; the number of opponents has dropped below 40%. According to the survey, 50% of the Estonian population aged 15-74 support the adoption of the single currency euro. Compared with the previous survey period, the three percent increase in the number of supporters is small, but the decrease in the number of opponents is worth noting. The proportion of the opponents to the adoption of the euro - 39 per cent of the population - is the lowest in the past three years. The level of support does not differ across socio-demographic groups.
The support of Estonia's membership in the European Union remains at a stable high level: it is supported by 82% of the voting age population of Estonia. The support has been more or less on the same level since May 2007.
From 9-11 December, an Omnibus method survey was conducted by TNS Emor telephone, involving 500 residents of Estonia aged 15-74. 395 of these were voting-age citizens of the Republic of Estonia.
The survey was ordered by the State Chancellery.
Estonian Government Grants Citizenship for Special Merit to Three Persons
18 December - The government ruled today to grant Estonian citizenship for special merit to three persons.
The persons will be athlete Tatjana Kivimägi, president of the Estonian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry Igor Burlakov, and Fjodor Kvits, managing director of BLRT Marketex, a holding of the industrial concern BLRT Grupp.
Kivimägi is a talented high jumper showing top-level results, and her example and experience would be essential to the development of track-and-field sports in Estonia. She is married to coach Mihhail Kivimägi, an Estonian national, and the couple wish to bind their future to this country and promote the development of athletics here.
Burlakov, who heads the Estonian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 2001, has actively developed cultural ties between the two countries and promoted media and information technology projects. The Russian-speaking website www.veneportaal.ee was launched under his guidance and he set up the Discovering Estonia foundation, which has published Russian translations of Estonian authors' works.
Kvits, as the head of a large enterprise, has dedicated his whole career to fostering the development of industry in Estonia.
By law, the government may grant citizenship for achievements of special merit in the areas of science, culture, sports or some other area to a maximum of 10 persons annually.
Over 111,000 WiFi Covered Areas Registered in Estonia
31 December - There are currently 111,169 WiFi wireless Internet covered areas registered in Estonia, with public WiFi areas numbering 1,174, data by the Internet portal wardriving.wifi.ee show.
WiFi.ee editor Veljo Haamer said the number of WiFi areas meant for public use will increase if more cafes offering their visitors a public Internet network appear.
Tallinn has the most WiFi areas cleared as public by the portal -- 637. The eastern Tartumaa region leads among counties with 291 areas.
Estonia ranks among the top three European Union countries and Tallinn is among the world's top ten cities in terms of access to WiFi, Haamer added.
The first public WiFi area was opened in Estonia in May 2001. WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) is the only standard of wireless data communication that has been integrated into the Linux, Windows and Apple operating systems.
Estonian President Lights Hannukah Candle
21 December - Visiting the Estonian Jewish community in Tallinn, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves lit a candle on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Hannukah.
The president met with representatives of the Jewish community and children and parents at the Jewish school and visited the recently opened Jewish Museum.
Lighting the Hanukkah candle emphasises defeat of darkness by light and symbolises allegiance, liberty and courage to remain true to one's god and one's religion even under oppression.
Ilves said the Hanukkah holiday was a holiday of victory.
"By faith in liberty it is possible to defeat even the most monstrous dictatorship. You known it very well from the history of your people, and all Estonians know it too. Even when our desire for freedom is hidden in our hearts, the last foot of ground that still belonged to us and that we never gave up helped us go into a counteroffensive and defeat cruelty," the president said.
DEFENCE NEWS
President Sends New Year's Greetings to Troops Serving Abroad
31 December - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves sent his New Year's greetings to the Estonian Defense Forces personnel serving on international missions, wishing them a happy turn of the year and also soldier's luck in the new year.
"Service has taken you far from your loved ones at this turn of the year, thousands of kilometers from home. At the same time you can be sure our thoughts are with you, and we understand how necessary your service is. It is necessary for Estonia and for Estonia's allies," the president said.
"Your task is to make the restless world more peaceful, safer, better," he said.
Addressing specifically the Estonian soldiers serving in Afghanistan, Ilves said he felt pride over their commitment, resolve, courage and team spirit.
According to figures, 199 members of the Estonian defense forces are serving on missions abroad at this point, almost three quarters of them in Afghanistan.
Troops deployed in Afghanistan number 147 and troops deployed on the NATO-led mission in Kosovo 31.
Estonia also has 11 military personnel serving at the regional air space control center in Lithuania, four on the NATO training mission in Iraq, two on the UN-led mission in the Middle East, one on the observer mission in Georgia and one at CENTCOM in the United States.
Government Approves Participation of EOD Team in NATO Response Force
18 December - Today, the Government approved a draft resolution allowing for the Estonian Defence Forces to contribute up to 15 explosive ordnance disposal specialists to the NATO Response Force during the first half of 2009. The resolution has now been sent to the Riigikogu for the appropriate proceedings.
The task of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team would be to render conventional ammunition and explosives harmless. Seeing that medics and security specialists would also form a part of the team, the unit will have the capability for independent action in areas of operation that are characterised by a low risk level. The mine EOD specialists of the Estonian Defence Forces have previously taken part in a successful international peace support operation in Afghanistan, where they cleared thousands of mines.
The NATO Response Force Unit - NRF-12 - will be in 5 to 30-day readiness during the first half of 2009. As the NRF could also be activated at the end of the readiness period of NRF-12, the mandate granted by the Riigikogu would, according to the draft resolution, be extended until 31 December 2009. The Estonian EOD team would be subordinate to the command of the NRF-12 army unit during the readiness period, while being located in Estonia in 5-day readiness.
The NATO Response Force (NRF) is an important instrument for the urgent launching of NATO's collective self-defence operations. Ensuring the NRF's most effective capability directly serves Estonia's national interests.
As provided by the North-Atlantic Treaty, the NRF can be used both for conducting collective self-defence operations and in military operations conducted for maintaining or restoring peace and security, as well as in any other military operations conducted in accordance with the generally recognised customs and principals of international law.
The North-Atlantic Council shall unanimously adopt all decisions regarding the deployment of the NRF; that is, the NRF can only be deployed with Estonia's consent.
Previously, Estonia participated in the ranks of the NRF in 2005-2006 with the Command and Support Ship Admiral Pitka, an EOD team during the second half of 2007, a military police platoon during the first half of 2007, and the Admiral Cowan mine hunter during the second half of 2008. During the second half of 2009, Estonia plans to participate in the NRF with the Sakala mine hunter; Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will prepare a joint infantry battalion for NRF-14 by 2010.
Estpla-17 Returns from Iraq
20 December - The Estonian 34-strong light infantry platoon Estpla-17 returned to Estonia, but the new platoon, Estpla-18, will remain waiting at home for the time being although it is ready to be dispatched to Iraq as soon as necessary.
Welcoming home the soldiers of Estpla-17 Col Neeme Vali, chief of staff of the Defence Forces, said that it was not clear when and whether Estpla-18 would go to Iraq and what would become of the mission in the future.
Maj. Peeter Tali, head of the information department at the Defence Forces headquarters, said that Estpla-18 was waiting for orders to leave for Iraq, but the orders had not come as there was no agreement on the status of foreign troops.
"We have the parliament mandate but there is no agreement on the status of forces. As a result, the mission has received no orders to leave for the mission area. As there are no orders, there is no sense keeping the soldiers in the barracks at Christmas and they are on holiday and with their families. The equipment has been packed and after receiving the orders Estpla-18 will be ready to leave for Iraq," Tali said.
Col. Vali decorated two Estpla-17 soldiers with the Defence Forces Service Badge, three solders with the Defence Forces Special Service Cross and eight with the Defence Forces Exemplary Service Cross.
During its nearly six months of service, Estpla-17 carried out more than 70 patrol and search operations, some together with units of the Iraqi army and police. The unit confiscated firearms and bomb-making components.
At a ceremony in the Taji military base last weekend the battalion command of the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the US International Baghdad Division gave soldiers of the Estonian infantry platoon the right to wear golden cavalry spurs in recognition of their exemplary and dedicated service.
The 34-strong light infantry platoon was prepared to carry out foot and motorised patrols and searches, escort convoys and guard sites. Commander of Estpla-17 is Lt. Raud Kadaste.
The Iraqi parliament voted down a bill that would have permitted British, Estonian and other countries' troops to remain in the country also before the end of the war.
The bill laid down departure of the troops by the end of July and the parliament rejected it for the reason that it was drawn up in the form of an act, not of an agreement like the pact signed between the United States and Iraq.
On Wednesday the Estonian parliament decided to extend the Estonian Defence Forces mission by the end of next year, in case of an Iraq request or United Nations mandate. Estonia expects a response from Iraq in the first half of January.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
New Year Begins with Rise for Estonian Stocks
2 January - Even though share prices moved both ways on the Tallinn stock exchange during the three trading days of the outgoing week, the new year started with a rise after all.
The OMX Tallinn index firmed 3.57 percent, ending at 284.94 points, and the three-day turnover from a total of 637 transactions was 24.1 million kroons.
"Due to the turn-of-the-year holidays, it was a short week and trading was quieter as expected. Like on major stock exchanges, investors on the local bourse were in a more positive mood and prices began the year with upward movement," stated Kristjan Tolmats, trader for Marfin Pank Eesti. "There's no point in guessing what will happen next. Things that could affect the direction may and may not occur."
Gaming operator Olympic put on 10.39% in the outgoing week, finishing at 8.29 kroons or 0.53 euro a share. Shipping group Tallink climbed 8.12% to 6.26 kroons or 0.4 euro. Garment company Baltika surged 9.49% to 17.99 kroons or 1.15 euros.
Real estate company Trigon Property was the top gainer, closing 29% higher, and Starman, the telecommunications operator, was the biggest decliner, coming down 9.3%.
Web Portal Delfi Expects 5-15 Percent Growth in Ad Turnover Next Year
30 December - The internet portal Delfi expects advertising income to continue growing at a rate of up to 15% next year.
"We hope to see growth of 5-15% in comparison with this year," board member and sales and marketing manager of AS Delfi Allan Sombri said.
"Internet advertising in general will definitely grow, but the growth rate will no longer be 30% and above but more like around 10-15%. On the whole it's one of the most difficult years to predict, the situation is rather unstable," Sombri said. "Individual months can for sure be very different."
According to Sombri, Delfi increased its market share in the last few months at the expense of online editions of newspapers and was in a better shape in fall than in spring. "There's a lot of movement of advertising between different media channels, above all ads are flowing from the printed media to internet," Sombri said.
The management structure of Delfi's Baltic portals will change next year. The owner of the company, the media holding Ekspress Grupp, last week announced the relocation of the management to Riga.
Delfi CEO Andrus Raudsalu told BNS the management will continue work in the same composition.
The company has already been registered in Latvia and the final technical proceedings are expected to be completed by February, he said.
Delfi Latvia, Delfi Lithuania and Delfi Ukraine were until now owned by Delfi Eesti, a company belonging to Ekspress Grupp. Now SIA Delfi Holding, a new company 100 percent owned by Ekspress Grupp, is being established. The company will acquire all regional Delfi subsidiaries and will also become the holder of all trademarks and licenses.
Tallink's Passenger Numbers Climb by 18 Percent in December
6 January - The Estonian shipping company Tallink Grupp carried 627,055 passengers last December, nearly 18% more than in December 2007.
The company informed the stock exchange that the number of passengers and market share increased on all the main services.
In the last month of 2008 a total of 274,881 passengers travelled in Estonian-Finnish traffic, 19% more than the year before. Between Finland and Sweden the number of passengers grew by 15.4% to 242,596 persons in December.
The number of passengers in Estonian-Swedish traffic was 72,431, up 20%, and in Latvian-Swedish traffic 31,476 passengers, up 37.2%.
At the same time the number of those travelling between Finland and Germany fell by nearly 31% to 5,671.
In the last month of 2008 Tallink carried 59,458 cars, 27.7% more than in the same month last year. Of this 38,993 were carried between Estonia and Finland, nearly half more than the year before.
The number of freight units carried fell by 28% on year in December to 17,670 units, Tallink said. Freight carriage only increased on the Latvian-Swedish route.
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