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Estonian Review: 29 October - 4 November 2008
07.11.2008
ESTONIA JOINS VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
ESTONIA JOINS VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME
Visa Freedom with USA Demonstrates Mutual Trust and Desire to Create Safer and More Secure World
29 October - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves gave a formal dinner for US Secretary for Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, who arrived in Tallinn in connection with Estonia joining the United States Visa Waiver Programme as of 17 November.
In addition to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and South Korea will also join the US Visa Waiver Programme, which is intended for tourists and short-term business trips, on 17 November.
"Estonia joining the Visa Waiver Programme confirms Estonia's ability to act, along with the United States and all our partners, on behalf of increasing the security of international travel and, of course, this demonstrates our mutual trust," President Ilves said.
The Estonian head of state recalled the so-called Tallinn declaration by US President George W. Bush in November 2006 as strong support for Estonia joining the Visa Waiver Programme. Last year President Ilves met with President Bush and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in Washington, and discussions were held on the opportunity for Estonian citizens to travel to the United States without visas.
"At that time, we spoke about the Visa Waiver Programme as something in the future, but as something that was self-evidently necessary situation between two strong allies," President Ilves said. "I am glad that now-after mutual thorough consultations and the resolution of technical issues-we have arrived this far."
President Ilves acknowledged the effective co-operation in the fields of the interior and justice of the two countries as well as between diplomats that preceded Estonia joining the United States Visa Waiver Programme.
"The negotiations and the concluded agreements regarding the exchange of information necessary for the prevention of serious crime only serve one objective, which is a safer and more secure world for our people," the Estonian head of state said. President Ilves invoked a broader view of safety and security than usual and focused on the topic of cyber security. According to President Ilves, the amendment of international law and domestic legislation is important for guaranteeing cyber security, into order to make it possible to pursue cyber criminals and hold them accountable. In addition, the owners of information systems must understand their responsibility for the rational utilization of these systems, the Estonian Head of State said. One must also not forget that international steps to guarantee cyber security must not hinder the opportunity for the unrestricted use of information technology.
In Estonia, the Visa Waiver Programme will apply to Estonian citizens who must have a biometric passport for travel to the United States; an electronic application must also be filled out at least 48 hours before the trip, which will ascertain within a few minutes whether the person is welcome in the USA or not.
Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff also met with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, who stated that the USA is demonstrating great trust in the Estonian nation and its citizens with its decision. However, Foreign Minister Paet also made it clear at the meeting that Estonia thinks it is important that the USA Visa Waiver Programme be expanded to include all European Union nations.
FOREIGN NEWS
Close Co-operation Between EU and USA is Cornerstone of European Security
3 November - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the informal Gymnich meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Marseille, France.
The foreign policy leaders discussed the future of relations between the European Union and the United States of America. The foreign ministers emphasised the Middle East peace process, international security, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the EU's relations with Russia as important areas for co-operation.
In talking about relations with Russia, Foreign Minister Paet noted that the EU and USA together must find an effective way to develop a unified policy towards Russia. During the Georgia conflict we were able to speak to Russia with one voice, and we should continue to do so, said Foreign Minister Paet. Continuing close co-operation between the European Union and the USA will be important also after the presidential election in America, he noted, and added that the EU, in co-operation with the USA, must demand that Russia adhere to international rights principles.
Within the context of transatlantic relations, the situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan were also discussed. Foreign Minister Paet stated that effective EU-USA co-operation is necessary to control the security situation in Afghanistan, especially on its border with Pakistan. The stability of Afghanistan's and Pakistan's borders and the security situation there are closely tied. Because of this, the operations of those nations as well as the European Union and United States must be unified, said Foreign Minister Paet. However, the solution to the Afghanistan issue is not only military. It is also necessary to continue building up the nation and battling corruption, he added.
The EU foreign ministers also discussed international security. The Estonian foreign minister asserted that close and effective partnership between the European Union and the United States is the cornerstone of global security. In the interest of global security, we also must make multilateral co-operation more effective, such as in NATO, said Paet. The ministers noted that it is necessary to improve the UN's conflict regulation and resolution capabilities for the sake of the safety of the international community.
Georgia Must Focus on the Future
3 November - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Georgian Head of State Mikheil Saakashvili in Riga. Both heads of state were participating in the third Riga Conference on foreign and security policy.
Georgia and its friends must focus most emphatically on the future, and only on the future-this implies self-confidence, democracy and the intensification of democracy, a market economy, and the consolidation of society, President Ilves said.
The Estonian head of state affirmed support for the continuation of Georgia's NATO-directed reforms.
The consistency and decisiveness of the efforts made in this regard has been a powerful engine for the reform policies of all the countries that have aspired to accession to NATO, which does not let governments deviate from the course of democratic reforms and prevents them from running aground, President Ilves said.
Speaking about the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Estonian head of state considered it important that all the points of the 12 August and 8 September peace plans of French President Sarkozy be fulfilled.
I hope that the European Union observers, who are doing a very good job in the region, will soon also get access to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, President Ilves said.
President Ilves Congratulates Barack Obama
5 November - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves sent congratulations on behalf of himself and the people of Estonia to Barack Obama on being elected as the new president of the United States of America.
"I look forward to further strengthening our two countries' already strong bilateral relations in the challenging years ahead of us and greatly appreciate, along with all Estonians, the support you offered us during the presidential debates," President Ilves wrote.
"You can count on me and the government of Estonia to be a trustworthy partner in reinforcing relations between the European Union and the United States," he added. "As NATO allies, we look forward to your Presidency to work together to make the trans-atlantic bond even stronger."
According to President Ilves, Estonia is deeply grateful to the United States for its role in defending and furthering the cause of freedom and democracy in the world.
"I am convinced that under your leadership as president, we, Europe and the United States, can tackle and resolve the economic and security challenges of our time."
Estonian and Latvian Presidents Met in Riga
3 November - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who was attending the third Riga Conference on foreign and security policy, met with Latvian Head of State Valdis Zatlers.
Presidents Ilves and Zatlers focused on the global financial crisis and its possible impact on the economy of Europe and, more specifically, the Baltic countries. In order to cope in the current complicated situation, countries must definitely have financial reserves and a realistic budgetary policy, President Ilves stressed.
Heads of State Ilves and Zatlers considered co-operation and the exchange of information between countries to be important, and this especially between neighbours, which are inevitably affected by each other's developments.
Regardless of the challenges in the near future, we must have the wisdom to direct our gaze beyond today and see the greater goal and challenge of joining the euro zone, President Ilves said. If we accept this challenge, all subsequent decisions must be seen through this prism.
Adopting the euro has been the third important factor in defining the security of the Baltic countries after accession to NATO and the European Union, President Ilves affirmed.
Presidents Ilves and Zatlers also discussed the Russian policy of the European Union after the Russian-Georgian war.
Mediterranean Union Sets Example for European Union Co-operation with Eastern Neighbours
4 November - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the meeting of the Mediterranean Union foreign ministers that took place in Marseille, France. The foreign policy leaders talked about the future of Mediterranean Union co-operation.
To advance the Middle East peace process and accelerate co-operation in the region, the ministers approved the greater involvement of the League of Arab States in Mediterranean Union co-operation. The Arab League plays a vital role in advancing the Middle East peace process, and including the League in Mediterranean Union co-operation will strengthen partnership and help with ensuring stability, said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. According to the Estonian foreign minister, co-operation with states on the southern and eastern banks of the Mediterranean sets a good example for European Union co-operation with its neighbours to the east. Positive developments in the co-operation between the European Union and its Mediterranean partners creates a good situation for implementing a similar model with the European Union's eastern partners, especially Ukraine and Georgia, for their more rapid integration into European Union co-operation structures, said Foreign Minister Paet.
The foreign ministers agreed to establish the Mediterranean Union Secretariat in Barcelona. The European Union's partnership with the countries on the southern bank of the Mediterranean, which was established in Barcelona in 1995, was the foundation for the creation of the Mediterranean Union in the summer of this year.
The ministers also discussed the implementation of Mediterranean Union projects. At the Paris summit on 13 June 2008, it was agreed to initiate co-operation projects for reducing pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, developing sea traffic and land transport, using solar energy, protecting citizens in the case of a natural disaster, promoting higher education, and supporting small businesses.
The Mediterranean Union includes all European Union member states and countries along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
FMs of Estonia, Palestinian Authority Hope for Successful End to Peace Process
4 November - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority Riyad al-Maliki in Marseille. Topics discussed at the meeting were the situation in Palestine and the peace process. The ministers also discussed co-operation with the European Union for advancing the peace process and bilateral relations.
According to Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority Riyad al-Maliki, the European Union plays a very important role in backing the Middle East peace process. Estonian Foreign Minister Paet stated that the peace process that began in Annapolis must continue regardless of the extraordinary election taking place in Israel in February of next year. The peace process must progress and it must end with the creation of the Palestinian state, said Paet. The promises made at the Annapolis meeting must be adhered to, and moves that would jeopardise the negotiations process should be avoided, said Paet.
In addition, Foreign Minister Paet stated that the European Union Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), to which Estonia also contributes, must continue. It is surely necessary to also extend the EU Border Assistance Mission at the Rafah Crossing Point, he added.
Paet said that Estonia will help to increase the capabilities of the Palestinian security and public sectors. We consider achieving peace in the Middle East to be essential from a regional and global security standpoint, said Paet. At the end of last year, Estonia decided to support the Palestine-Israel peace process that was re-initiated at the Annapolis meeting with 12 million kroons (1 million USD) during the years 2008-2010. According to the foreign minister, this is the largest contribution Estonia has ever made for the resolution of a global conflict. We hope that this sum will help with the creation of a Palestinian state, including the creation of effective security forces, and help to hold off future armed attacks against residents, said Paet.
Paet and al-Maliki also talked about bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Paet stated that Palestine asked Estonia to share its experiences with constructing an e-state. Currently we are making preparations to help Palestine develop an e-state and e-government, Paet said.
EC Launches Public Consultation of Baltic Sea Region Strategy
3 November - The European Commission launched an online public consultation of the EU's future Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
Member states, regional and local authorities, NGOs, inter-governmental bodies, and the general public are invited to put forward their views on the strategy between now and 31 December 2008.
"To make this strategy a success, we need to work together with member states, with regions and cities, the private sector, interest groups and the public. We want as many people as possible onboard and that is why we are launching this online consultation," said Danuta Hubner, EU regional policy commissioner.
"We need your ideas, your energy, your knowledge and your expertise to help us deliver the best results, for the benefit of all," Hubner added.
The consultation seeks feedback on the four main proposed objectives of the strategy: to make the region more environmentally sustainable, to make the region more prosperous, to make the region more accessible and attractive, and to make it safe and secure.
Since the 2004 enlargement of the European Union, when Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland became members of the European Union, the Baltic has practically become an internal EU sea. The Baltic Sea Strategy is also seen as a practical channel of co-operation with Russia, the only non-EU country on the Baltic Sea.
The initiative for the Baltic Sea strategy came from the European Parliament, and one of its initiators was then member of the European Parliament, now President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves. The European Council has asked the European Commission to draw up the preliminary outline of the strategy by next June.
Conference debates on the future strategy have already begun: the first of them took place at the end of September in Stockholm, and further debates will take place in Gdansk in November, in Copenhagen and in Helsinki in December, and in Rostock in February.
When the European Commission publishes the preliminary outline of the strategy, it will also include an action plan identifying the key actors, financial instruments for implementation and a timeframe for completion.
Adoption of the strategy will be one of the priorities of the Swedish Presidency in the second half of 2009. The consultation will be open until the end of this year.
Estonia Has New Ambassador to Morocco
30 October - Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Kingdom of Morocco Mart Tarmak presented a copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister of Morocco Taïb Fassi Fihri. In accordance with Moroccan protocol norms, the king only receives ambassadors that reside in Rabat. Since Ambassador Mart Tarmak resides in Lisbon, such was his accreditation procedure for becoming the Estonian ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Morocco.
At their meeting, Estonian Ambassador Mart Tarmak and Moroccan Foreign Minister Taïb Fassi Fihri discussed relations between the two nations. Mart Tarmak stated that Estonia considers Morocco to be an essential communications partner in the Mediterranean region and is certainly interested in developing many facets of relations. We are interested in the swift progress of agreements for the protection of investments between the two nations and for the avoidance of double taxation, said Ambassador Tarmak. It is also important to develop cultural relations between Estonia and Morocco, since Estonians' interest in Arabic language and culture is growing. The Moroccan foreign minister confirmed to the Estonian ambassador that he plans to come to Estonia for a visit next year.
Ambassador Mart Tarmak has been the Estonian ambassador to Portugal since 2006. He speaks English, Lithuanian, Russian, Finnish, Spanish, Portuguese, and Latvian.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Labour Market Board and Unemployment Insurance Fund to Merge
30 October - Estonia's Social Affairs Ministry is implementing a plan for uniting the Labour Market Board and the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
According to the plan, a new agency -- labour exchange -- will emerge in spring from combining the functions of the two institutions.
The merger of the Labour Market Board and the Unemployment Insurance Fund will create a body that offers a better service to job-seekers and employers and thereby raise the effectiveness of the labour market policy, the cover letter to the bill of amendments says.
The plan is to unite the labour market institutions on 1 May 2009.
The Social Affairs Ministry voiced in the covering letter the hope that the actual cost of the move will be smaller as a part of Labour Market Board personnel will get jobs on the labour exchange.
DEFENCE NEWS
Minister of Defence Met with Afghan Colleague in Kabul
4 November - Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo met with his Afghan colleague Abdul Rahim Wardak and the US Ambassador to Afghanistan William B. Wood in Kabul.
At the meeting with Minister Wardak, the current situation in Afghanistan and possible further developments in relation to the presidential elections to take place in Afghanistan in 2009 were discussed. Minister of Defence Aaviksoo also notified Minister Wardak of the Afghan mandate of the Estonian Defence Forces being extended until the end of 2009 by the Riigikogu, and that the number of the Estonian contingent was being increased to 170 members of the Defence Forces.
According to Aaviksoo, the meeting with Afghan Minister of Defence Wardak proved that the Afghan National Security Forces have grown considerably stronger over the last year and have become capable of taking responsibility for the security situation in several regions of Afghanistan. This fully matches our expectations, regarding the bigger role of the Afghan government in ensuring the security of their people, Aaviksoo said.
Minister Wardak acknowledged Estonia for its current contribution to Afghanistan. Minister of Defence Aaviksoo also visited the Kabul Military Training Centre of the Afghan National Army.
The purpose of Minister Aaviksoo's four-day visit is to obtain an overview of the general situation in Afghanistan, the development of the Afghan National Security Forces, and the future activities of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as well as the activities of the Estonian contingent in South-Afghanistan.
Among others, Aaviksoo will also meet the Commander of the ISAF General David D. McKiernan; the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Kai Eide; the US and UK ambassadors in Afghanistan; and several officers from the ISAF Regional Command South.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Estonia Has One of Lowest Unemployment Rates in EU
31 October - In an overview of unemployment rates in European Union countries published by Eurostat, Estonia had the sixth lowest unemployment rate, ahead of Latvia and Lithuania.
The unemployment rate was the lowest in the Netherlands (2.5%), followed by Denmark (2.9%), Austria (3.2%), Cyprus (3.8%), Slovenia (4.1%), and Estonia and Luxembourg (both 4.2%). In Lithuania the unemployment figure was 4.6% and in Latvia 7.1% of the gainfully employed population.
The unemployment rate was the highest in Spain, where it is 11.9%, and in Slovakia with 10%.
Japanese High-Tech Delegation Visits Estonia
30 October - A delegation from Japanese high-tech manufacturers Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Panasonic and Hitachi paid a four-day visit to Estonia to strengthen IT co-operation with local companies.
The Japanese visited the IT company Microlink and studied a number of e-governance projects. "The rapid development and implementation of e-health projects in particular aroused great interest among them," Microlink board member Andres Parts said.
The Japanese manufacturers' trip to Estonia was part of a tour of several countries within the framework of the JEITA Mission Programme. The delegation also met with Minister of Economy and Communications Juhan Parts and MP Hannes Astok and visited the Parliament.
The visit was arranged by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) and Enterprise Estonia.
Pärnu Maintains Number of Summer Visitors
29 October - According to a survey carried out by the Pärnu city government, the south-western seaside resort received up to 271,000 visitors during the summer, which corresponds to last year's visitor numbers.
The share of foreign tourists stayed at 75% of the total like a year ago, the study showed. All told, the city was visited by around 203,000 foreign tourists during the three summer months.
Finns made up 53.7%, Swedes 3.8% and Germans 3.2%of foreign visitors. The number of Finnish and Swedish tourists has been declining from year to year, whereas the share of Latvian and German visitors has slightly grown. The majority of tourists were on holiday.
The expenditure on accommodation, food and shopping averaged 1,150 kroons (EUR 73.5) per day in the case of Estonian tourists and 1,970 kroons per day among foreign visitors.
Foreign tourists spent an average of 5.8 days and Estonians 3.9 days in Pärnu. In the summer of 2007, the corresponding figures were 5.6 and 4.3 days, respectively.
Number of Tallink Passengers Up 23 Percent in October
4 November - The Estonian AS Tallink shipping group served 648,814 passengers on all its routes, 23.2% more than in the same period last year.
In October, the biggest rise in the number of passengers was on the Estonian-Finnish route, where contraction of competition led to growth by 34.7 percent.
On the Estonian-Finnish route, Tallink served a total of 285,965 passengers, and 54,448 passengers on the Estonian-Swedish route. In Finnish-Swedish and Latvian-Swedish traffic the number of passengers was respectively 268,327 and 34,081.
In October, freight traffic between Estonia and Sweden fell by nearly 21 percent and between Estonia and Finland by 3.3 percent.
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