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Estonian Review: 17-23 September 2008
26.09.2008
UNITED NATIONS 63rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY 22-26 SEPTEMBER 2008
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
UNITED NATIONS 63rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
22-26 SEPTEMBER 2008
Accessibility of Education and Prevention of AIDS Spread are Keys to African Development
22 September - At the roundtable on Africa's development needs that occurred within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that the greatest challenges that we must help Africa with are preventing the spread of AIDS and increasing the accessibility of a formal education. The most important investment to make for Africa's future is in education, which is the key to developing society in those African nations receiving development and humanitarian aid, asserted Foreign Minister Paet in his speech.
Paet stated that AIDS is still the primary cause of death in Africa. In the battle against AIDS, we must turn more attention to the most vulnerable groups in society in order to be the most effective in limiting the further spread of the disease in Africa, noted Paet.
Since 1994, the average annual economic growth of African nations has been around 5%, and the foreign investments made in the countries are beginning to exceed the amount of development aid given. The growth figures unfortunately exist only in theory for many Africans, who see no changes in their everyday lives. There is not a single nation that is on track with the Millennium Development Goals that the UN established in 2000, the representatives from the nations acknowledged.
Estonia plays a part in sending aid to disaster zones and regions of military conflicts in Africa through various European Union and UN programmes.
The UN formulated the Millennium Development Goals in 2000. Their goal is to fight against poverty, the lack of jobs and food and the consequences of such situations in African countries, so that these nations would no longer have to depend on international aid.
FOREIGN NEWS
Foreign Ministers of EU and Russia Discuss Georgia
23 September - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in a meeting of the European Union and Russian foreign ministers, which took place within the framework of the UN's 63rd General Assembly in New York.
The foreign ministers focused on the situation in Georgia, relations with Iran, and the Middle East peace process.
The foreign ministers of the European Union and Russia discussed preparations for the Georgia-themed conference scheduled for 15 October in Geneva, where one topic among many will be opportunities for refugees to return to Georgia. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the European Union still considers the fulfilment of the Medvedev-Sarkozy cease-fire agreement to be of the utmost importance, as is Russian forces returning to the positions they held before 7 August. In addition, the European Union does not share Russia's decision to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent, said Foreign Minister Paet.
At the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the EU foreign ministers also stressed keeping a watchful eye on Iran's nuclear programme and the importance of intervening, as well as the importance of the Middle East peace process continuing.
The EU foreign ministers will meet with USA Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday to discuss the Middle East peace process, relations with Iran, and the situation after the military actions in Georgia, among other subjects. Georgia will also be a topic in the meeting of EU foreign ministers on Wednesday.
Estonia Sending Two Observers on Mission to Georgia
20 September - Estonia is sending two civil observers to Georgia as part of the European Union observation mission. The Estonians joining the mission, which begins next week, will begin working in the Poti region of Georgia.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the European Union member states have been extremely active in recruiting for the observation mission to be sent to Georgia and realise the importance of the mission. Estonia was prepared to send nine observers with the observation mission, out of which two will go initially, noted Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. The readiness to contribute to the mission was just as great in other EU nations, so that there were far more candidates for the mission than positions to fill.
The assignment of the civil mission, which is made up of 240 observers from 22 European Union member states, is to observe the situation in the conflict regions in Georgia affected by military actions and to monitor the fulfilment of the six-point cease-fire agreement in all areas of Georgia's territory, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The mandate for the European Union observation mission has been given for 12 months, from 1 October this year to 20 September 2009. The mission will be replenished in four months, when the mission period for the observers participating in the current and initial phase of the mission ends.
Estonia Should Join USA Visa Waiver Programme in Early 2009
18 September - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet expressed hope that Estonia will join the Visa Waiver Programme of the United States at the beginning of next year at the latest.
The Estonian government approved the text of an intergovernmental agreement with the United States aimed at stepping up co-operation in combating and preventing serious crime. Concluding of the agreement is the final prerequisite for switching to visa-free travel.
Paet said at the government press conference that after the agreement is signed, which probably will happen in the next few weeks, the United States will be able to launch the necessary domestic procedures to make Estonia part of the Visa Waiver Programme.
"Hopefully the decision will step into effect during the tenure of the present administration, that is, in the first months of next year," Paet said.
Estonia is currently one of 12 European Union member states whose citizens are not allowed to enter the United States without a visa.
Paet observed that the work involved in making Estonia part of the Visa Waiver Programme accelerated following the visit by President George W. Bush to Estonia. Accession also became simpler after rules for qualification for the programme were changed.
The change involved raising the maximum percentage of visa refusals to ten percent from the previous three percent. Estonia has no problem clearing that hurdle, the minister said.
The main objective is making sure that security measures are applied, along with security co-operation with the United States, according to Paet.
Estonia and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding related to visa waivers in March this year. The same was done by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania, and Malta is planning to follow suit.
In April talks on accession to the Visa Waiver Programme started between Estonia and the United States, which effectively will end with the signing of the co-operation agreement.
Estonia's Interior Minister Jüri Pihl told reporters that the co-operation agreement between Estonia and the United States provides the framework for exchanges of information between the appropriate authorities of the two countries.
"These data are records of conviction, fingerprint data, and DNA profiles, and separate accords must be concluded for the exchange of each category of data," Pihl said.
Secretary General Maasikas Visits Singapore
19 September - Secretary General of the Estonian Foreign Ministry Matti Maasikas met with Foreign Minister of Singapore George Yong-Boon Yeo during a visit to Singapore.
Secretary General Matti Maasikas gave Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yong-Boon Yeo an overview of the European Union's positions regarding the military conflict between Russia and Georgia.
Bilateral economic relations were also discussed at the meeting. Maasikas stated that Singapore is one of the world's centrums of innovative development, and economically it is a successful and business-friendly nation. Singapore has been in the top ten among nations with investments in Estonia for many years, and is Estonia's most important trade partner in Southeast Asia, said the secretary general. Maasikas added that there are still many opportunities that have not been utilised, for example in the transit sector.
In 2007, the International Globalisation Index named Singapore the most globalised nation in the world for the fourth time in seven years.
Maasikas and Yeo also addressed reciprocal visits between the nations. Yeo stated that Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip is welcome to visit Singapore. The first deputy prime minister of Singapore is also planning on paying a visit to Estonia.
Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yong-Boon Yeo gave an overview of the activities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and noted that next year the ASEAN charter will come into effect, which holds the primary goal of strengthening the institution.
Foreign Ministry Secretary General Matti Maasikas also opened the first Estonian Honorary Consulate in Singapore. The Estonian Honorary Consul in Singapore is Narinder Sonny Kumar Aswani.
Honorary Consul Narinder Kumar Aswani was born in 1963 in Indonesia. In 1984, he graduated with a degree in business management and economics from Richmond College and got his master's degree in management from Kent University in Canterbury. From 1995-2007 he was the director general of Tolaram Baltics in Estonia. Since 2007 Sonny has worked for the Tolaram Group in Singapore, where he is also one of the owners. Sonny is the founder of the Tolaram Foundation, which aids people with little insurance or with disabilities. He has been given the Order of the White Star IV Class.
Honorary Consul Aswani speaks English, Malay, Indonesian, Sindhi, and Hindi.
Estonian Ambassador to Georgia Presents Credentials
19 September - Estonian Ambassador to Georgia Toomas Lukk presented his credentials to Georgian President Mikheil Saakašvili.
In the discussion following the credential presentation ceremony, Ambassador Toomas Lukk and President Mikheil Saakašvili confirmed the very good relations and co-operation between Estonian and Georgia. The Georgian president thanked Estonia for its support.
While talking about the situation in Georgia, the Estonian ambassador emphasised that Georgia is territorially integral, and therefore the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be condemned. Also, Russia must adhere to the six-point cease-fire agreement and pull its forces out of Georgia without delay, said Ambassador Lukk.
Other topics of discussion were Georgia's integration with international structures and the development of its relations with international organisations. The Estonian ambassador stated that Estonia supports the idea of giving a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia.
In discussing bilateral co-operation, Ambassador Toomas Lukk noted that Estonia is still prepared to share its reform experiences with Georgia by organising seminars on relevant topics, for example European Union integration, for Georgian officials.
Estonian Ambassador to Georgia Toomas Lukk was born in 1962 and graduated from the geography department at Tartu University. Lukk has worked at the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Beginning in 1993 he worked for the political department of the Foreign Ministry, as well as in Estonia's representation in New York. From August 2002 to September 2006, Toomas Lukk was Estonia's ambassador to Latvia, and following that he became the director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia office at the Foreign Ministry.
Ambassador Toomas Lukk is fluent in English and Russian and conversationally fluent in Latvian and Finnish.
Estonia and Vietnam Interested in Developing Economic and Trade Relations
23 September - The first political consultations between Estonia and Vietnam took place in Hanoi from 22-23 September. The Estonian delegation was led by Foreign Ministry Secretary General Matti Maasikas.
At the consultations, the parties discussed opportunities for intensifying relations, which could include reciprocal high-level visits and co-operation opportunities in the economic sector. Estonia named its first ambassador to Vietnam this past summer. Ambassador Andres Unga resides in Peking.
They also discussed opportunities to strengthen the agreement base between Estonia and Vietnam. Foreign Ministry Secretary General Maasikas stated that we need to conclude an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and an economic co-operation agreement.
Within the political consultations, Matti Maasikas also had a meeting with Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Hu Hao. They discussed tourism ties between Estonia and Vietnam and co-operation opportunities with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The European Union and Vietnam began negotiations for concluding a partnership and co-operation agreement in June of this year. The European Union would like to sign a free trade agreement with the Southeast Asian association ASEAN. Vietnam, which is the co-ordinating nation for co-operation, is therefore playing a very important role.
Each party gave an overview of its nation's economic developments, and it was noted that Estonia and Vietnam are interested in developing economic and trade relations with each other. We need to schedule visits for business delegations, said Secretary General Matti Maasikas.
Another important topic was the advancement of tourism and cultural ties. Maasikas stated that visa freedom for Estonians going to Vietnam would help a lot in developing tourism. Vietnam is becoming an attractive vacation destination for Estonians, and visa freedom to Vietnam would be helpful to bilateral tourism relations, said Secretary General Matti Maasikas. Estonia's accession to the Schengen visa space reduced the amount of bothersome additional procedures needed to apply for double visas for travelling to Europe.
DEFENCE NEWS
Remarkable Unity Characterised NATO Defence Meeting
19 September - According to Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo, a meeting of NATO defence ministers in London, which was convened to discuss NATO reformation and the aftermath of events in Georgia, was characterised by remarkable unity in all the matters discussed.
The main issues discussed at the meeting were the tasks facing NATO in light of the recent conflict in Georgia, matters related to collective defence, the development of capabilities required for the participation in operations, and the future of the NATO Response Force (NRF).
According to Aaviksoo, remarkable unity could be felt at the meeting on many issues related to NATO reformation and the aftermath of events in Georgia. "The steps for NATO reformation, devised at the meeting, will considerably increase both NATO's collective defence capability and the ability to contribute to international operations," Aaviksoo said.
"For the past 60 years, NATO has been an important security and stability guarantee for its allies and will continue to keep this position in the future, both for its allies and all partners that share the common values of the alliance, the minister of defence added.
Estonian Ambassador to NATO Jüri Luik, Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Policy Sven Sakkov, Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Planning Lieutenant Commander Lauri Tumm, and the director of the NATO and ESDP department of the Ministry of Defence Eerik Marmei also participated in the meeting alongside the minister of defence.
The next meeting of the NATO defence ministers will take place from 9-10 October in Budapest.
Estonia's Infantry Brigade to Take Part in Staff Exercise in Germany
18 September - Officers serving at the staff headquarters of the 1st Estonian Infantry Brigade will take part in the Crystal Eagle 2008 exercise to be held in Germany.
Personnel from the headquarters of Multinational Corps Northeast, soldiers from the 1st Estonian Brigade, 37th German Brigade, 1st Latvian Brigade and 7th Polish Brigade, as well as representatives of different national forces commands and other NATO corps, are going to meet at the Army War-fighting Simulation Centre in Wildflecken, Germany to exercise the planning, preparing, executing, commanding and assessing of peace support operations.
Altogether about 1,200 soldiers from 15 NATO countries will be involved. There will be 59 military personnel from Estonia participating.
"This is the largest ever exercise that our brigade headquarters are taking part in," commander of the Estonian brigade Col. Artur Tiganik said. He stressed that the units would be taking part in the exercise not only with their peacetime lineups but with wartime positions filled too.
"The exercise is very important for us, since it offers us the opportunity to exercise the operation of the brigade staff in an environment involving the presence of higher international headquarters, our own units, and the brigade's extended lineup," Tiganik said.
The exercise was organised by Multinational Corps Northeast.
A new information and command system will be tested during the exercise, and the Multinational Corps Northeast will share the experiences it gained on the ISAF mission in Afghanistan last year.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Tallinn Airport to be Renamed after Lennart Meri
19 September - At the festive opening of the extension of Tallinn Airport, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip announced the renaming of the airport after President Lennart Meri.
Prime Minister Ansip said that the decision to rename the airport was made out of respect for Lennart Meri and his work. Welcome to Lennart Meri Airport in Tallinn! said the head of government at the end of his speech.
According to Andrus Ansip, the main work of former President Lennart Meri lay in helping to bring the Republic of Estonia back onto the world map. In his speech, Ansip recalled that Lennart Meri assumed the position of president during the era of full reorganisation of the old way of thinking. President Meri called on us to not accept the Soviet mentality, service culture or infrastructure dating back to 1980. But this is only history now. History that today's reality is born from, said Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. According to the head of the government, today's reality is also that Estonia has joined the Schengen visa area, which has changed movement and operation within the airport.
At the estimate of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, a lot has changed in the airport, and he was sure that Lennart Meri would like that.
Officially, Tallinn Airport will be named after Lennart Meri on 29 March 2009, on the 80th anniversary of the birth of the president.
Cornerstone Laid for Estonia's Victory Monument
20 September - The cornerstone for Estonia's Victory Monument was laid in the presence of the parliament speaker and the minister of defence on a hillside overlooking Vabaduse (Freedom) Square in Tallinn.
Taking part in the function were Speaker Ene Ergma, Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo, Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar, and leaders of political parties, who dropped the emblems of their parties into the cylinder that was lowered into concrete.
In her speech, Ergma recalled the history of the efforts made to start up the monument project and the controversy over its design.
"I believe that today we no longer can leave the matter unfinished in the quest for absolute beauty. There is no reason for us to deliberate whether the artists, the engineers or the government got the upper hand. I'm glad that we're laying the cornerstone of the monument to victory in the War of Independence, to the monument that symbolises the most important victory in Estonia's history," Ergma said.
Minister of Defence Aaviksoo said that freedom came to the Estonian state because its people wished it.
"A heavy price has been paid for freedom. The memory of all those who paid that price must find a place in the Victory Monument," he said.
"The cornerstone's been laid now. Let us gather again at Harjumägi Hill to inaugurate the monument, to redeem our debt of honour and come to the end of the path that has extended over a period of 87 years," the minister said.
A little less than 2.6 million kroons (EUR 166,000) has been donated by more than 11,000 people and organisations. The Freedom Monument Foundation will continue collecting money until the monument has been completed. Money from the donations fund will be handed over as different stages of the project are finished.
The minister of defence said last week that the monument will cost 99.3 million kroons to build. The Defence Ministry has taken 50 million kroons from its own budget while the government has given 49.31 million kroons from its contingency reserve.
The ceremony on Saturday was followed by a concert featuring the defence forces orchestra and singer Karl Madis at the nearby Harjumägi open-air stage.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Government to Submit Balanced Budget to Parliament this Week
22 September - The government cabinet came to an agreement on the balanced budget, which is planned to be passed to the Parliament later this week. The total volume of the state budget expenditure is EEK 98.8 billion.
The balance was struck mainly by economising costs. The government has decided not to pursue tax increases, which had been under consideration. Next year, the overall tax burden will be at the level of that of 2008.
It has been agreed that the ministries will submit amended draft budgets to the Ministry of Finance by tomorrow, as well as related draft regulative amendments. The Ministry of Finance will put together the final budget by Wednesday evening. According to the plan, on Thursday at 8:00 the government will approve the draft budget, and at 10:00 the government will submit the state budget to the Parliament.
SPORTS NEWS
Quadruple Sculls Team Wins Gold at European Championships
20 September - The Estonian quadruple sculls team that included Beijing Olympic silver medalists Jüri Jaanson and Tõnu Endrekson won gold at the 2008 European Championships in Marathon, Greece. The other members of the winning team are Andrei Jamsa and Allar Raja.
The Estonians led throughout the race and finished two seconds ahead of the German quadruple team. Ukraine was third, the Czech Republic fourth, Russia fifth and Croatia last in the finals.
At the Beijing Olympics, Jaanson and Endrekson took silver in double sculls. Jamsa finished 17th in singles and Raja was one of the Estonian men's quadruples team, alongside Igor Kuzmin, Vladimir Latin and Kaspar Taimsoo, that finished in ninth place.
The Estonian tandem Vladimir Latin and Kaspar Taimsoo shortly afterwards took a surprise silver in men's doubles in Marathon. They led the race until 500 meters before finish, when the French team overtook them. Ukrainians finished third, Poland in fourth place, Croatia in fifth place and Italy in sixth.
Expected deterioration in the weather meant that semi-finals began early at the European Championships in Marathon, Greece. It also meant that the finals were brought forward to start soon after the semi-finals, with no races to take place on Sunday.
Competitors faced a difficult tail wind and rough water, which played well for good technical rowers, the website of the championships said.
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