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Estonian Review: 16-22 April, 2008
25.04.2008
FOREIGN NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
President Ilves Met with the U.S. Secretary of State
Apr 20 - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is on a working visit to the United States, met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, with whom he discussed the results of the NATO Summit in Bucharest and the progress of the military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as developments in Georgia and Russia and issues related to energy and cyber security.
President Ilves and Secretary Rice stated that the results of the NATO Summit can be considered generally positive, whereas the Estonian head of state expressed his satisfaction that Ukraine and Georgia were given definite prospects for accession.
Estonia considers Georgia an advisory friend, President Ilves noted. Our role is to share our reform experiences on the path to democracy and I am happy to recognise the advances that Georgia has made to date.
Speaking of the mission in Iraq, President Ilves stressed the need for continuing bilateral co-operation in military operations. A significantly more serious debate can be expected in our parliament as well as in society as a whole this time in respect to the extension of Estonia's mission in Iraq, therefore, we are waiting for a clear vision from the United States regarding the future of Estonian participation in Iraq, President Ilves said.
Speaking about the operation in Afghanistan, Secretary Rice thanked Estonia for its distinguished contribution. President Ilves stressed that NATO cannot be the loser in Afghanistan, and therefore he felt that the unity expressed at the Bucharest Summit regarding the issue of Afghanistan was important. Both the Secretary of State and the President recognised the need to apply more extensive civil measures in Afghanistan.
Estonia is working actively to make sure that Afghanistan remains a central foreign policy issue for the European Union, President Ilves added.
A short discussion was held on the developments in Russia. Secretary Rice expressed hope that the upcoming power change will be accompanied by positive developments in domestic policy. According to President Ilves, the relations between Russia and the European Union must be based on the common interests of all 27 member states and not send signals about fissures in the Community's positions.
In respect to the topic of energy security raised at the meeting, both sides stated that this is a common concern for the United States and the European Union, and therefore must be an inseparable part of strategic energy co-operation.
The Estonian head of state also provided Secretary Rice with an overview of the current status of the development of the NATO cyber security centre, and thanked the United States for its active participation. President Ilves stressed that cross-border cyber attacks and cyber-terrorism are a harsh reality, and combating them will require a strong and uniform legislative base for NATO and the European Union. Within the framework of the Estonian head of state's visit to Washington, D.C., meetings with Deputy Secretary of Defence Dan Fried and U.S. Vice President Richard B. Cheney were on the agenda as well. President Ilves also attended a formal reception organized by the U.S.-Baltic Foundation.
Foreign Ministry Expresses Concern over Increasing Tensions in Georgia
Apr 22 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet feels the recent steps taken by Russia to increase tensions in Georgia are reprehensible.
The shooting down of an unmanned Georgian plane on Georgian territory, attempts to intensify the desire of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to secede, and the refusal to obey the Commonwealth of Independent States' economic blockade against Abkhazia are all behaviours that the international community cannot accept, said the foreign minister.
Paet added that Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Russia should stop its aggressive behaviour and abolish the regulation regarding the creation of official contacts with the de facto powers in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia is a member of many international organisations and groups, for example the UN Secretary General's Group of Friends of Georgia. However, this means that Russia should be helping to resolve this situation, not placing more of a strain on it, said Paet.
The foreign minister said that in this situation, Georgia must not be left alone, and that these infractions of international norms must be confronted. The international community, including the European Union, has given its judgement of the situation.
Paet also emphasised that both parties must refrain from exacerbating the situation. Both Russia and Georgia must find ways to peacefully resolve the current situation. According to the foreign minister, Georgia's president has proposed a new Abkhazia peace plan, and this is a good chance to begin a dialogue that is practical and will lead to a solution.
USBF Recognised President Ilves for Promoting Relations Between the Baltic Countries and the United States
Apr 21 - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is in the United States on a working visit, accepted the Baltic Statesmanship Award from the U.S.-Baltic Foundation.
The Baltic countries are no longer transition societies; they are not new democracies, President Ilves said upon accepting the award. We are sooner restored democracies.
According to the Estonian head of state, it is not surprising that an organisation like the USBF was founded in the United States. The United States was one of the countries that did not recognise the occupation and annexation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Throughout the Cold War, your non-recognition policy maintained hope for Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians that you had not forgotten us, President Ilves said.
If we examine the transatlantic ties of the United States and Europe more broadly, it is clear that the three Baltic countries are among the most dedicated allies in NATO, the Estonian head of state noted. According to the president, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may have small populations, but proportionally they contribute more than many of the largest nations.
Why do we do this? Because the rule of law and consideration for human rights, as well as the freedom of speech and expression, are very important values for us, President Ilves concluded.
USBF is a non-profit organisation that deals with the promotion and development of relations between the United States and the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Foreign Minister Paet Signed Memorandum of Co-operation in Argentina
Apr 17 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, who has travelled from Brazil to Argentina on a visit, met with Argentinean Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana. The two signed a memorandum of co-operation that gives a new and more concrete basis for enlivening bilateral relations and supporting further development.
Foreign Minister Paet emphasised that Estonia is interested in intensifying political, economic and cultural ties with Argentina. In this constantly expanding world, we need to find common interests, and have intense co-operation even with those nations that are geographically far away from us. There are so many untapped possibilities here, said Paet.
The foreign ministers agreed that relations between the two nations are very good, though economic and trade relations need to be developed further. The ministers acknowledged that more active co-operation is needed between the chambers of commerce and business associations. There also needs to be more information exchanged and tighter contacts between businessmen.
Another topic at the meeting was the opportunity to create a prisoner transfer agreement, which both ministers deemed necessary. There are currently 5 Estonian citizens in Argentinean prisons, and the existence of such an agreement would allow them to carry out their sentences in their homeland.
The Argentinean foreign minister expressed a profound interest in Estonia's information technology experiences. Foreign Minister Paet introduced the functioning of Estonia's e-government, as well as the e-tax system and internet elections. Argentina is one of Latin America's information technology leaders, and we are pleased to know that they are so interested in our e-government and internet elections, said the foreign minister.
In a meeting with Argentinean Vice President and chairman of the Senate Julio Cobose and members of the Argentinean Parliament, topics of discussion were bilateral relations and opportunities to develop them, as well as advancing co-operation between the two parliaments.
The Meeting Between President Ilves and the U.S. Vice President Focused on Developments in Georgia and Energy Security in the World
Apr 20 - The main topics discussed at the meeting between President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and U.S. Vice President Richard B. Cheney were energy security and developments in Georgia, while developments in Afghanistan and the mission in Iraq were also discussed.
According to President Ilves, it is important to support the aspirations of countries, that have chosen the path to democracy, and to promote freedom and a market economy. Estonia has undertaken the objective of sharing its reform experiences with Georgia, which has made great strides in carrying out social and economic reforms.
President Ilves and Vice President Cheney believe that the directive of the Russian president to increase the Russian government's direct contacts with the separatist regimes in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is counterproductive and absolutely unacceptable, and it should be rescinded. President Ilves also acknowledged the Georgian government's calm reaction to Russia's provocations.
At the meeting, the issue of energy security was also discussed at length. For Estonia, as well as the European Union more broadly, co-operation with the United States in the field of energy security is very important. Security must be an indivisible part of strategic energy co-operation, the Estonian head of state stressed at the meeting, and this primarily through the diversification of supply sources.
In order to increase the security of Europe's energy supply, we must create energy connections that are independent of the current large current suppliers, President Ilves noted.
He believes that the greater participation of Europe and the United States in Caspian and Central Asian energy projects is very important for the stable and sustainable development of the region.
Speaking about the mission in Iraq, President Ilves stressed the need to continue bilateral cooperation in military operations.
Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry Matti Maasikas to Work for European Commission Next Year
Apr 22 - Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry Matti Maasikas will join the cabinet of European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn on 1 January 2009.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that it is extremely important for Estonian diplomats to work in positions of such great responsibility. Matti Maasikas is an experienced diplomat with a wide range of knowledge. We are pleased that his professionalism will be utilised in an area as important as the European Commission's enlargement policy, said the foreign minister. He added that Maasikas's employment at the Foreign Ministry will be suspended during his time at the Commission, and that the Ministry certainly awaits his return.
Matti Maasikas was born in 1967. He graduated from Tartu University with a degree in history and studied at the University of Helsinki as well as Bonn University. He has also worked in Germany's Bundestag. Maasikas speaks Finnish, English, French, German, and Russian. He has been the secretary general of the Foreign Ministry since 2005. Prior to that, he was the Estonian ambassador to Finland.
Estonian Citizens can Travel to Colombia Visa-free
Apr 22 - Estonian citizens will be able to travel to Colombia without a visa starting from 1 May this year.
A unilateral decision to this effect was adopted by the Colombian government at the end of March, spokespeople for the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.
Estonians will be allowed to enter Colombia without a visa for the purpose of short-term travel or business.
Several other Central American and Caribbean island nations have already scrapped the visa requirement for Estonians. The countries of South America that have done so include Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Thanks to EU treaties, 30 countries of the EU and the European Economic Area do not require an entry visa from Estonian citizens.
In addition, 58 countries from across the globe are allowing visa-free entry to Estonian nationals.
Estonia Issuing Finnish Visas in Pskov, Minsk
Apr 22 - Under an agreement on representation, Estonia will start issuing Finnish visas to local residents at its representations in the Russian regional capital Pskov and in Minsk, the capital of Belarus.
Starting from last month, Finland represents Estonia in the issuing of visas in ten countries, namely Indonesia, Namibia, Peru, the Philippines, Serbia, Syria, Thailand, Tanzania, Tunesia and the United Arab Emirates.
As of 1 January this year, Hungary represents Estonia in the issuing of Estonian visas in Moldova. Germany has agreed to represent Estonia in Angola, Banlgadesh, Bolivia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Jamaica, Madagascar, Oman, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda.
Slovenia has promised to represent Estonia in Montenegro and Latvia in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Russian-speakers See Teaching of Curricular Subjects in Estonian as Necessary - Survey
Apr 16 - Most Russian-speaking residents see the switch to teaching some curricular subjects in Estonian in Russian-language high schools as having a positive effect.
As the survey found, more than 80 percent of Russian-speakers believe that as a result of the teaching of different subjects in Estonian the students' command of the Estonian language will improve and they will have wider opportunities to continue their studies.
The transition to teaching select subjects in Estonian in Russian-language high schools in Estonia started last fall, when teaching of Estonian literature in Estonian started in all 10th grade classes.
In the 2008/2009 academic year all high schools will continue teaching Estonian literature in Estonian and must add civic studies or music or both. Forty-one schools across Estonia are planning to add more subjects to the list.
There are 63 high schools in Estonia where the language of tuition is Russian.
DEFENCE NEWS
Ansip: It's Important for Small Countries to Take Part in Foreign Missions
Apr 21 - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip spoke up in defence of Estonia's participation in military missions abroad, calling it Estonia's moral duty to the West.
"It's very important for a small country to take part in foreign missions. By doing it, we show our commitment to the principle of collective defence," Ansip said in his speech to participants in the 18th senior courses in national defence.
The prime minister pointed out that in the period since it regained independence, Estonia has received a lot of help from its Western partners.
"Now that Estonia is ready to give security assistance itself it is our moral duty to do it," he said.
The prime minister also said that the government must fulfil its international commitments, which in the making of a negative supplementary budget means that defence spending has to be kept at 1.8 percent of GDP this year.
"A small country has little else to offer save for trust, and the promises that one has given must be fulfilled," he said.
Recalling discussions on foreign missions that took place during the NATO summit in Bucharest, the head of government stressed that Estonia fully supports improving military-civilian co-operation in mission areas.
"It is not possible to achieve a breakthrough in Afghanistan by military means alone, and it's not what we have been trying to do," he said. Ansip added that alliance members have also invested in the building up of the country's civilian structures and that the share of these investments must grow.
Since 1999 the Ministry of Defence has been holding senior courses in national defence for leaders of organisations in the public, private and NGO sectors with the purpose of offering them a complete picture of different aspects of security and defence policy.
Government Approves Participation of Estonian Mine Hunter in NATO Response Forces
Apr 17 - The government approved and sent a draft resolution for the Riigikogu to conduct the proceedings for the contribution of the Estonian mine hunter Admiral Cowan to the ranks of the NATO Response Forces during the second half of this year.
According to the provisions of the International Military Co-operation Act, the use of units of the Defence Forces may be granted for the performance of the international obligations of the Republic of Estonia with the consent of the Riigikogu. A simple majority vote in parliament is required for the adoption of the draft decision, which was submitted by the government to the Riigikogu to conduct the proceedings.
According to the draft decision, Admiral Cowan, with a crew of up to 45 defence force members, would be used in the ranks of the NATO Response Forces (NRF) from 1 July 2008 until 30 June 2009, according to requirements.
According to the minister of defence, Mr. Jaak Aaviksoo, the NATO Response Forces represent an important instrument for the rapid launching of NATO's collective defence operations, should it be necessary.
"Therefore, assuring the best possible capability of NRF is serving Estonia's national interests. Also, the participation of Admiral Cowan in the ranks of NRF-11 would improve the preparedness of the vessel's crew and, in fact, the professionalism of the Estonian Navy in general, Mr. Aaviksoo said.
Admiral Cowan is the first of the three Sandown class mine hunters that were bought from Great Britain in 2006. For more information on the vessel see: http://www.mil.ee/?menu=merevagi&sisu=cowan
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Estonian Air Sees Passenger Numbers Grow 16 Percent in March
Apr 17 - Estonian Air carried 63,946 passengers in March, 16.3 percent more than in the same month last year.
In the first quarter, a total of 163,230 passengers used the services of the national carrier, which is 17 percent more than in the first three months of 2007, the company said.
The number of passengers on Estonian Air's regular flights increased by 13 percent on year to 53,778. Passenger flows of the Tallinn airport grew by 9.9 percent at the same time.
The carrier made 1,067 flights in March, 327 flights more than in March 2007.
Estonian Air is owned by the Estonian state, SAS Group and the investment bank Cresco.
Car Safety Equipment Maker Norma Posts 15 Percent Profit Growth on Year
Apr 21 - The Q1 profit of the Estonian car safety equipment maker AS Norma grew by 15 percent to 30.5 million kroons (EUR 1.95 mln) in Q1 against the same period last year according to non-audited figures.
Norma informed the stock exchange that the company's net sales turnover totalled 330.8 million kroons in Q1, 17 percent more than the year before. Sales to Russian and Ukrainian clients increased by 69 percent, while sales to other countries fell by 7.1 percent.
Export accounted for 99.2 percent of Norma's sales, with Sweden and Russian the main sale partners.
The total assets of the group added up to 1.1 billion kroons as of the end of the quarter, with the equity standing at 938 million kroons. The group employed 964 people at the end of the quarter.
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