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Estonian Review: 26 March - 1 April, 2008
04.04.2008
FOREIGN NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
CULTURE NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
Estonia Approves of Creating New Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Russia
Mar 29 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers held in Slovenia from 28-29 March. On Friday, the topic of discussion was further development of relations between the European Union and Russia.
In his turn on the floor, the foreign minister emphasised the necessity of creating a new Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Russia, and expressed hope that the EU will soon approve a mandate for negotiations on a new agreement with Russia. A new Partnership and Co-operation Agreement would create better conditions for the European Union and Russia to co-operate in their shared neighbourhood, said Paet. We would like to see Russia as a constructive partner in resolving the security issues in the region, the foreign minister stated, noting that Estonia would be glad to consider a new president assuming office in Russia as an opportunity to repair and improve relations between the European Union and Russia.
Paet reminded that even though both the European Union and Russia have vital interests when it comes to co-operation, the EU should not forget its principal values. The new agreement should be comprehensive and legally binding. We would definitely need to agree on energy-related co-operation that would be based on the ideas of a market economy, transparency, non-discrimination and being mutually beneficial, said the Estonian foreign minister.
The current European Union-Russia Partnership and Co-operation Agreement came into force in 1997 for 10 years. The parties agreed that until a new agreement comes into force, the existing agreement will be automatically extended each year on 1 December by one year. Therefore the agreement is still valid until 1 December this year.
During their meeting, the foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Tibet and called for a dialogue to be initiated between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities. According to Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, who participated in the meeting, a lasting solution to the situation in Tibet can only be achieved by peaceful measures that are in accordance with international democratic principles. A dialogue between Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama must guarantee the cultural and religious rights of the Tibetan people. It must also address vital issues like the protection of the language, culture, religion and traditions of Tibet, he added.
Foreign Minister Paet Met with Georgian Prime Minister
Mar 30 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Georgian Prime Minister Vladimer Gurgenidze, in Tallinn on a visit.
The ministers spoke about development co-operation, Georgia's opportunities regarding NATO and the European Union, and the frozen conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Gurgenidze and Paet felt that in future development co-operation, more attention should be given to small businesses and increasing business-related knowledge. Improving the quality of leadership and financial skills in small businesses would help to strengthen Georgia's economy as a whole, Paet noted. Georgia is one of Estonia's primary development co-operation partners. Priority areas of co-operation are supporting the educational sector, developing democracy as well as good administrative practices and, and supporting economic development.
Gurgenidze and Paet also talked about Georgia's NATO perspective. The Estonian foreign minister confirmed that Estonia supports the idea of giving a NATO Membership Action Plan to Georgia during the Buchrest summit. In any case, Georgia must be given a clear signal during the Bucharest summit, which will encourage the nation to continue its NATO-related endeavours, the foreign minister added.
Estonia is First to Sign Wreck Removal Convention
Mar 28 - Estonian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Dr Margus Laidre signed the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks on behalf of Estonia at the International Maritime Organisation Headquarters in London. Estonia is the first country to sign the Convention.
The Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention was adopted in May 2007 and will provide the legal basis for States to remove, or have removed, shipwrecks that may have the potential to affect adversely the safety of lives, goods and property at sea, as well as the marine environment.
According to Ambassador Laidre the Convention, once in force, can fill a gap in the existing international legal framework by providing set of international rules aimed at ensuring the effective removal of wrecks. Estonia's will to join the Convention proves that Estonia is a credible partner contributing to the IMO goals of safe navigation and marine environmental protection, he said.
The Convention is open for signature until 18 November 2008 and, thereafter, will be open for ratification, accession or acceptance. In Estonia it has to be ratified by the parliament. The Convention will enter into force twelve months following the date on which ten States have either signed it without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval or have deposited instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Secretary General of IMO.
Maasikas and Tael Discussed Priorities of France's EU Presidency in Paris
Mar 27 - Secretary General of the Estonian Foreign Ministry Matti Maasikas and Undersecretary for European Union Affairs Kaja Tael met with Secretary General of the French Foreign Ministry Gérard Errera in Paris. Topics of discussion in the meeting were bilateral relations, next week's NATO summit in Bucharest, and matters related to energy policy.
In discussing NATO expansion, Secretary General Maasikas confirmed that Estonia supports giving invitations for accession to Croatia, Macedonia and Albania during the Bucharest summit, assuming that those candidate nations continue making the necessary reforms and preparations for NATO accession. The secretary general added that the further Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia and Ukraine should be supported by giving Membership Action Plans (MAP) to both nations. Secretary General Errera asserted that France would like to continue strengthening its participation in NATO. Errera feels that co-operation between the European Union and NATO is indispensable, particularly in conflict regions.
In discussing bilateral relations, it was noted that one opportunity for intensifying relations would be to conclude representation agreements for the issuing of visas. Maasikas confirmed that Estonia is prepared to help partners with issuing visas in Minsk, Pskov, and Tbilisi. He added that Estonia plans to send a diplomat to the French Foreign Ministry for practical experience during France's EU presidency.
Matti Maasikas and Kaja Tael also met with EU adviser to the French Prime Minister Gilles Briatta and the director of the politics and security policy department of the French Foreign Ministry Gérard Araud.
Gilles Briatta gave an overview of France's priorities during their upcoming EU presidency. They primarily plan to focus on climate change and energy policy, but also security and immigration policy, as well as implementing the Lisbon Treaty.
Foreign Minister Highlights Macedonia's Favourable Tax Policy
Apr 1 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with the Macedonian Minister without Portfolio in charge of foreign investments Gligor Tashkovich, in Estonia on a visit.
The ministers discussed economic co-operation between the two nations, as well as Macedonia's economic reforms and aspirations to join NATO and the European Union. The situation in the Western Balkans was also discussed.
According to Foreign Minister Paet, relations with Macedonia are very active, which is demonstrated by the large number of reciprocal visits that take place. Last year alone, 20 visits on various levels were made between Estonia and Macedonia. In order to increase interest from Nordic and Baltic businessmen towards the Western Balkan region, a Baltic, Balkan and Nordic business forum will be held in Tallinn at the end of May. Hopefully an honorary consulate will be opened in Macedonia soon, which would give additional momentum to the development of relations between the two nations, Paet stated.
In talking about the economic environment, the Estonian foreign minister highlighted Macedonia's low flat tax. Macedonia held Estonia as an example when it carried out its economic reforms. Now Macedonia, with its 10% taxation rate, has become an example for Estonia, Paet noted. Minister Tashkovich confirmed that thanks to the results of the economic reforms, the investment environment has improved and foreign investors' interest towards Macedonia has increased.
The ministers also spoke about NATO enlargement. Foreign Minister Paet emphasised that Estonia supports the idea of offering an invitation to join to new candidate countries.
Prime Minister Ansip Met with his Czech Counterpart
Mar 26 - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met with Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek in Prague, and bilateral relations, energy and the impending NATO summit were discussed.
According to the Czech Prime Minister, the relations between the two countries are excellent. We have no problems, we only have common positions and interests, Prime Minister Ansip stated as well.
As the European Energy Forum will soon take place in Prague, the energy topic was discussed in more detail. According to the Czech Prime Minister, he understands the situation of Estonia and other Baltic States, in which the few energy connections with other Member States of the European Union have put Estonia into a special position. Both Prime Ministers shared the position that the European Union should pay more attention to supporting the energy projects of this region.
The impending NATO summit and the positions on the expansion of NATO were also discussed. Both Estonia and the Czech Republic clearly support the expansion of the Alliance and support the accession of three countries - Croatia, Albania and Macedonia, and closer cooperation of Georgia and Ukraine with NATO.
The Czech Republic will hold the Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2009. The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic will visit Estonia in May of this year.
Latvia to Issue Entry Visas for Estonia in Three Countries
Mar 31 - Latvia will as of April 1 start issuing entry visas for Estonia under a visa representation agreement in the capitals of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
"To facilitate application for a visa, a system has been devised under which one Schengen country can represent another in the issuing of visas," director general of the Foreign Ministry's consular department Lauri Bambus said. "Such opportunities were not available for Estonia prior to accession to the Schengen zone."
Estonia has a representation agreement in place also with Finland which covers Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Indonesia, Namibia, Peru, Serbia, Syria, Thailand and Tanzania. Finland is to start soon representing Estonia also in Egypt and Iran.
As of January 1 this year Hungary represents Estonia in the issuing of visas in Moldova.
Germany has agreed to represent Estonia in Angola, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Jamaica, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uganda.
Slovenia has promised to represent Estonia in Macedonia.
Estonia will be ready soon to represent Finland in the issuing of visas in Minsk and the Russian town of Pskov.
EU Council: Russia should Ratify Border Agreement with Estonia as Quickly as Possible
Mar 27 - Russian authorities should ratify the border agreement with Estonia signed in May 2005 as rapidly as possible, the EU Council said in its answer to a question from Estonian MEP Katrin Saks.
"Although border issues essentially fall within the competence of member states, the Council attaches importance to the legal certainty of those borders, as well as to stable relations between EU member states and Russia," the answer reads.
The Council therefore considers that the Russian authorities should ratify the border agreement with Estonia of May 2005 as rapidly as possible.
"Furthermore, the demarcation of all EU-Russia borders should be completed according to international standards as set out in the Road Map on Freedom, Security and Justice, adopted at the EU-Russia Moscow summit in May 2005 as an instrument for the implementation of the common spaces created in May 2003," the answer says.
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov signed the land and maritime border treaties on May 18, 2005. The Estonian parliament ratified them on June 20 that year and President Arnold Ruutel promulgated the ratification act on June 22.
Macedonia Keen to Open Embassy in Estonia
Mar 26 - Macedonia is about to turn the temporary diplomatic mission that it opened in Tallinn in January 2007 into a temporary one and intends to transform it into an embassy in the near future.
The information about turning the temporary mission into a permanent one was relayed to visiting Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip by the foreign minister of Macedonia, Antonio Milososki, on Tuesday.
So far Macedonia has been extending the activity of its diplomatic mission in Tallinn every six months.
The head of the mission, Nenad Kolev, said the Macedonian Foreign Ministry is planning to upgrade the mission into an embassy in the near future.
"I can't say if this might happen already this year because there has been no talk of specific deadlines," Kolev said, adding that the plan was to do it as soon as possible.
Macedonia views Estonia as an important partner in foreign policy, since Estonia has expressed strong and consistent support internationally for Macedonia's aspirations to become a member of the European Union and NATO. It has also extended substantial development aid to Macedonia.
"We've been offered to open our embassy in Riga or Helsinki, which would be more sensible geographically, but we don't see it as making so much sense because we have much better and closer relations with Estonia," Kolev said.
The closest Macedonian embassy to Estonia now is situated in Stockholm.
Being a small country, Macedonia has limited resources for opening its diplomatic missions abroad, said Kolev. The Foreign Ministry in Skopje is at this point mulling opening embassies in India and Mexico, aside from Estonia.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Estonia to be Covered with Digital TV by End of Summer
Mar 28 - The Estonian Ministry for Economic Affairs and Communications is planning to cover the whole Estonian territory with digital television signal by the end of summer.
Jüri Pihel, head of the transition to digital television commission attached to the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Communications, said that most of the territory of Estonia was already covered with digital television signal, but there were still small areas with no signal.
He said such areas would disappear by the end of summer.
The digital television committee launched operations at the end of last year.
Full transition to digital television will completed on the Island of Ruhnu on Monday. Immediately after the analog transmitter is switched off the air, digital television will be immediately available and can be viewed with the standard arial.
Thanks to the transition to digital television all free domestic channels can be viewed instead of earlier one ETV channel.
At present five free Estonian TV channels can be viewed in digital television. Besides, also the commercial-free Neljas program and MTV Estonia are available for viewing, out of Estonian channels.
According to a regulation of the European Union analog television must be switched off in Estonia by 2012.
Snowstorm Caused Traffic Problems all over Estonia
Mar 26 - Despite efforts by road service companies vehicular traffic is affected all over Estonia because of the massive snowstorm that hit the country overnight.
Police say that snow, vehicles with summer tires and bottlenecks caused by a large number of minor accidents made the situation difficult all over the city
The North Prefecture of the police urged motorists having summer tires on their cars to leave their cars home and use public transport if possible.
DEFENCE NEWS
Commander of NATO Squadron Visits Estonian Ministry of Defence
Mar 28 - The Rear Admiral of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), Juan Rodriguez, today paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence and met the Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Lauri Almann.
Mr. Almann provided Mr. Rodriguez with an overview of the development trends of the Estonian Navy and the participation in NATO's Response Force. For example, the mine hunter Admiral Cowan should participate in NATO's NRF-11 unit's operations during the second half of the year.
The visit to Tallinn by the NATO warships clearly demonstrates the meaning of NATO membership to ordinary people and what vessels are used to protect us, Mr. Almann said.
The Spanish and Portuguese vessels Blas de Lezo and Vasco da Gama, which arrived in Tallinn yesterday, belong to the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and are to remain in Tallinn Old City Port for their harbour phase until March 31st.
The NATO squadron, currently visiting Tallinn, is one of the four Standing NATO Maritime Group squadrons. The functions of the squadron include surveillance, embargo, search and rescue and anti-terrorism operations. The vessels also conduct escorting operations. The peacetime operations of the squadron involve training and participation in various joint exercises.
Two NATO Frigates Arrive in Estonian Capital
Mar 27 - The Spanish and Portuguese warships Blas de Lezo and Vasco da Gama with more than 400 naval personnel on board arrived in the Estonian capital Tallinn on Thursday.
The frigates that are part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) will remain in the Old City Port until Monday.
The Spanish commander of the squadron, Rear Adm. Juan Rodriguez, paid visits on Thursday to the commander of the Estonian defence forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots and Estonia's naval commander Navy Capt. Igor Schvede.
He also met with Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar and deputy speaker of the parliament Kristiina Ojuland.
The Spanish frigate, Blas de Lezo, is the flagship of the NATO squadron. The 146-meter vessel was built in 2004 and has a crew of 240.
Being one of the most state-of-the-art ships of its kind, it has been designed mainly for anti-aircraft warfare. Blas de Lezo also serves as the base for the squadron's commander and his staff.
The Portuguese frigate Vasco da Gama, built in 1989, is 115 meters long and has a crew of 180.
Both ships are armed for combat with submerged and surface vessels and carry weapons of anti-aircraft warfare.
The Spanish frigate carries a Seahawk helicopter while the Portuguese vessels has two Super Lynx helicopters among its armaments.
SNMG1, the former Standing Naval Force Atlantic, is a squadron of eight to ten destroyers and frigates. Today, the ships are usually attached to the force for up to six months on a rotating basis. In peacetime, the force exercises primarily in the Eastern Atlantic.
Aside from the ships visiting Tallinn two other frigates of the same NATO naval group -- the German frigate Rheinland-Pfalz and the US frigate Nicholas -- will visit the Lithuanian sea port Klaipeda.
Before their arrival here the squadron's ships visited Amsterdam, the Russian port of Baltiisk, Goteborg, Bergen, Kiel and Copenhagen.
CULTURE NEWS
The Biggest Exhibit of Contemporary Estonian Art ever to be Seen in France Kicks off Series of EV 90 Cultural Events
Apr 2 - An exhibit of contemporary Estonian art entitled Plaisirs de l'imagination was opened at on 2 April in the Château de Tours. It was organised in honour of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia (EV 90) by the Estonian Embassy in France in co-operation with KUMU and the city of Tours.
This exhibit is the largest collection of contemporary Estonian works ever to be seen in France. KUMU's curator of contemporary art Eha Komissarov chose the following artists to reflect the current state of Estonian art: Dénes Kalev Farkas, Johnson & Johnson, Erki Kasemets, Kiwa, Arne Maasik, Marge Monko, Karl Nagel and Tiiu Rebane, Kristina Norman, Kaido Ole, Priit Pärn, Urmo Raus, Tõnis Saadoja, Silja Saarepuu and Villu Plink, Jaanus Samma, Liina Siib, and Jasper Zoova.
The 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia is also being celebrated in Rennes, where the conductor Olari Elts is now in his second season. Thanks to his initiative, the music festival Marathon XXI will take place, and it will focus on contemporary music of Nordic countries, particularly Estonia. The ensemble NYYD, under Elts's direction, will give a concert in the Rennes Opera at 20.00 on 10 April. On 11 April at 20.00, Elts will conduct the Orchestra of Brittany (Orchestre de Bretagne), which will be presenting both Arvo Pärt's Orient and Occident and Erkki-Sven Tüür's new accordion concerto Prophecy, with soloist Mika Väyrinen.
Events in honour of the Republic of Estonia's 90th anniversary will continue at the end of April and beginning of May in Lille, where Estonian Days will be held from 26-27 April.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Analysts see Positive Developments in Estonia's Foreign Trade
Mar 27 - The narrowing of Estonia's foreign trade gap in January slightly surpassed expectations, the mainstays of export are in good health, and the trend is positive, analysts say.
"The foreign trade numbers for January suggest that the share of net export in the gross domestic product growth could increase this year. If import expanded considerably faster than export since the beginning of 2006, then the trend was reversed in the last quarter," SEB Bank's economict Ruta Eier said.
"The contraction of consumption and investment has resulted in negative import growth while export continues to be fairly strong. The 4 percent growth in total export may not appear large at first sight, but all the main pillars of export continue in good health," Eier explained.
Hansabank Markets analyst Maris Lauri said that after weak December export showed pretty solid growth in January which came up to expectations.
Growth continues to be held back by the export of mineral products and electronics, and a drop in the export of passenger cars to Latvia also makes a certain contribution.
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