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Estonian Review: 12-21 December, 2007
21.12.2007
LISBON TREATY
SCHENGEN ENLARGEMENT
FOREIGN NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
LISBON TREATY
European Union Reform Treaty was Signed
December 13 - The leaders of the European Union festively signed the European Union Reform Treaty, which is amending the founding treaties of the Union.
From the Estonian side, the Treaty was signed by Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Urmas Paet. It is an important step in the development of the European Union, Ansip said. Agreement on this Treaty allows us to conclude disputes over the procedural rules of the European Union and concentrate on solving real problems such as economic competitiveness, energy, climatic change, international crime, he added
Ansip expressed hope that the fate of the Treaty of Lisbon will be better than that of the Constitutional Treaty. We have worked on the amendments to the Treaty for six years now as of the summoning of the European Convention via several Intergovernmental Conferences and reflection periods, said the Prime Minister. It is time to finish this process now, ratify the Treaty and move on to solving topical issues.
According to Ansip, the decision-making process in the European Union will become easier and faster due to the new Treaty. The list of the fields in which decisions are made by a qualified majority instead of unanimously will be extended. These changes are particularly visible in the fields of justice and home affairs.
This means that no country can keep on preventing progress indefinitely, Ansip commented.
The Treaty of Lisbon will also improve the operation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. The position of the High Representative for the Union in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy joining two current positions will be established.
With the Treaty, the single text similar to the Constitutional Treaty has been abandoned; instead, it amends existing treaties on which the Union is founded - the treaty on the European Union and the treaty establishing the European Community.
SCHENGEN ENLARGEMENT
Estonia Became a Member of the Schengen Visa Space
Dec 21 - The land and maritime borders of nine countries - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia opened on 21 December as they acceded to the Schengen visa space.
The events to mark the Schengen enlargement took place at Port of Tallinn's D-Terminal with the presence of Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and other representatives of the Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic governments.
The president of the European Commission Manuel Barroso and a delegation of EU and Schengen countries also took part in the event marking the enlargement of the Schengen legal space.
The presidency of the EU and the European Commission celebrated accession of new countries to the Schengen space on December 21 and 22 in four points of Europe where border controls will disappear.
FOREIGN NEWS
President Ilves Met with the President of the European Commission, Manuel Barroso
Dec 20 - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with President of the European Commission Manuel Barroso, who visited Tallinn to take part of Schengen enlargement celebrations.
The president of the European Commission said that he appreciates the progressiveness of European Union newcomers.
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves in turn told Barroso that Estonia is one of the most pro-Europe countries of the EU on whom the bloc can count. According to the results of a survey released on Wednesday, 84 percent of Estonian citizens are for the country's membership in the EU.
Ilves stressed his delight over the signing of the Lisbon treaty when the future of the EU came under discussion. "Now it is in the interest of all of us for the ratification process to go smoothly," he said.
Speaking about the EU's common foreign policy, Barroso and Ilves agreed that the union's ability to speak with one voice will make it stronger.
The two also talked about the EU's enlargement and neighbourhood policy. As Ilves sees it, the bloc should measure its neighbours with different yardsticks because those countries' reforms to date and future aspirations also differ, and also the ways to motivate candidate countries and countries with a prospect of membership to do more homework are different.
"And those countries that have accomplished more should see that the European Union will meet them halfway in accordance with their efforts," he underlined.
The head of state spoke at some length about the Baltic Sea, which has practically become an internal sea of the EU and should for that reason also be covered by the bloc's internal policy.
"On the one hand, our interest is to boost the growth of competitiveness of the Baltic Sea region and thereby the whole European Union by increasing cooperation among the countries on the Baltic rim. On the other, a chief aim is to pay more attention to the environmental problems stemming from the sensitive nature of the sea," Ilves said.
Foreign Minister Paet Meets French Colleague
Dec 18 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris.
Relations between Estonia and France, the European Neighbourhood Policy, updating security strategies, the Treaty of Lisbon, and EU-NATO relations were discussed.
In talking about the Treaty of Lisbon, both sides agreed that it is an important step in the development of the European Union, and that the ratification of the treaty should begin as soon as possible. We hope that all the member states will ratify the treaty within the next year, so that it can come into effect in 2009, said Paet. According to the foreign ministers, both Estonia and France plan to finish ratifying the treaty in the spring.
Paet and Kouchner both consider it essential to continue the development of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The Neighbourhood Policy should treat eastern and southern nations equally, but within its framework, relating to each country on an individual basis should also be possible, said Paet. The French foreign minister gave an overview of cooperation with Mediterranean nations and of future plans.
When speaking about European security strategy, the ministers noted that it is important to consider cooperation opportunities with NATO when updating the strategy. Urmas Paet and Bernard Kouchner also discussed matters related to NATO enlargement. We sincerely hope that during the next NATO summit in Bucharest, we can extend invitations to join NATO to the candidate nations that are prepared to accede, said Paet.
Foreign Ministers Paet and Kouchner both acknowledged that political and cultural relations between Estonia and France are very good, but that there is certainly room to expand cooperation at the grassroots level. More visits, as well as consultations between the foreign ministries, would give an opportunity to refresh ties, said Paet. The Estonian foreign minister added that Estonian culture days will be taking place in France in 2010, which will once again be a good opportunity to intensify ties.
Foreign Minister Paet invited his French colleague to come visit Estonia.
Estonia Planning to Take Part in EU Mission in Kosovo
Dec 14 - Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said Estonia was planning to contribute to the European Union's (EU) mission in Kosovo.
"Above all it means the dispatch of experts. Mainly police experts, but also experts for the construction of civilian structures," Ansip said after the European Council meeting in Brussels.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said Estonia was planning to make an offer within its means for the Kosovo mission.
EU heads of government at the European Council in Brussels admitted that the process of talks held over the status of Kosovo had been exhausted and decided to set up an EU civilian mission for the reconstruction of Kosovo. The presumable size of the mission should be about two thousand.
Estonia has already started looking for and picking suitable people for the mission. The potential Estonian mission also depends on the nature of the EU civilian mission, its composition and the needs.
Ansip underlined that the decision to take part in the civilian mission certainly did not mean increasing the country's military mission in Kosovo. Estonia has about 35 servicemen in the composition of KFOR, the NATO-lead international security forces -- staff officers at the KFOR headquarters in Pristina, men serving in a Danish battalion and an additional unit about the size of a platoon.
Estonia Supports Palestinian Peace Process with Nearly 11 Million Kroons
Dec 17 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, participating in the Conference of Donors for the Palestinian State in Paris, confirmed that Estonia will donate nearly 11 million kroons (1 million USD) in 2008-2010 to support the Palestine-Israel peace process.
According to the foreign minister, this is the largest contribution Estonia has ever made to global conflict resolution. We hope this will help in the formation of a Palestinian state, including the creation of effective security forces, and also help to prevent further attacks on Israeli residents, said Paet. Tensions in the Middle-East have directly or indirectly caused new global problems to develop, such as international terrorism, he added.
Paet also met with the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad al-Maliki in Paris.
At the meeting, the situation in the Palestinian Authority including the Gaza Strip and the initiation of peace talks were discussed. The ministers also discussed cooperating with neighbouring nations to move the peace process forward, as well as bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Paet expressed his pleasure over the fact that politicians in Palestine and Israel found an opportunity to resume the peace process within the framework agreed upon in Annapolis. We feel that achieving peace in the Middle East is essential in view of both regional and global security, said Paet.
Paet: Kosovo and Serbia have a Clear European Perspective
Dec 14 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the European Council. In the external relations session, issues related to the future status of Kosovo were discussed.
In the conclusions of the Council, it is noted that the negotiating process on Kosovo's future status has been exhausted, and it is deeply regretted that the two parties were unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
According to Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, the current situation in Kosovo is unsustainable, and a solution must be found. Clarity on the issue of Kosovo's status will increase the stability of the entire region, Paet emphasized.
The Estonian foreign minister confirmed that the European Union is prepared to take on the leading role in implementing a settlement defining Kosovo's future status. We are ready to send our mission to Kosovo and help build up the community there, said Paet. At the same time, Kosovo should make its next steps in compliance with the European Union, he added.
The European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union. Both Kosovo and Serbia have a clear European perspective, the Estonian foreign minister emphasized.
Foreign Minister Paet feels that Kosovo must work towards creating a democratic, multi-ethnic community, where ethnic minorities are protected.
The foreign minister also noted that resolving the pending status of Kosovo does not set any precedent. Each individual situation is unique, and there is no such thing as one solution that would suit them all, said Paet.
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip Attended the Summit of the European Union
Dec 14 - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip attended the European Council, which focused on three wider circles of topics - legal and internal issues, economic, social and environmental affairs, and foreign relations.
The creation of the so-called reflection group or discussion panel developed into a separate topic of discussion. Based on the proposal of the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, a nine-member panel was created, whose goal is to analyse the future of Europe in the longer perspective and make suggestions for the role of the European Union in the years 2020-2030.
The former Prime Minister of Spain Felipe Gonzales was elected as the chairman of the reflection group, and Vaira-Vike Freiberg, former President of Latvia, and Jorma Ollila, chairman of the supervisory board of the Finnish telecommunication company Nokia were elected as vice chairmen.
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip regarded it as important that the mandate of the discussion panel is clearly defined.
For us, the mandate of the discussion panel is balanced in all aspects, said Ansip. The panel will handle very specific topics such as the competitiveness of the economy, sustainable development, global security, migration, energy and climatic changes, the battle with international crime and terrorism. I am also glad that the reflection group will start paying particular attention to how to reach citizens better and handle their expectations and needs.
Under legal and internal affairs, the European Council Conclusions handle, among others, the topic of combating cyber crime that is very important for Estonia.
It was Estonia's wish that the European Council would recognise the need to form a common policy on cyber security and combating cyber crime in the European Union, said Ansip. We are glad that this proposal for an amendment was taken into account.
Ansip: Finland has Greatly Contributed to the Estonian Success Story
Dec 12 - In his speech at the University of Turku, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip stressed that good relations with Finland have greatly contributed to the Estonian success story.
According to Ansip, joining the Schengen area will create opportunities for the free movement of people, which will hopefully bring about closer relations in the field of economy and culture as well. As an example of great cooperation in the field of culture, the Prime Minister mentioned the year 2011, when Turku and Tallinn will share the title of the European Capital of Culture.
According to the Prime Minister, in economic cooperation between the countries the development of the products that brought success to the region must be prioritised. For example, in the future, cross-border e-services could be provided in the region. The future well-being of Estonia and other Nordic Countries is mainly based on flexibility and innovation, Ansip stressed.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of education in achieving success. Knowledge-based products and services can be created on the basis of good education and professional skills, he said. Ansip also called for even closer cooperation between Estonia and Finland in institutions of higher education and research.
Estonia, Finland to Exchange DNA Profiles
Dec 14 - The national police chiefs of Estonia and Finland signed a cooperation memorandum under which the two countries will exchange DNA profiles in order to better combat crime.
"After the agreement has been signed, Estonia and Finland will start exchanges of non-personally identifiable DNA profiles. The aim of the pilot project is to help solve unsolved crimes," Estonia's National Police Commissioner Raivo Aeg said.
On Finland's behalf, deputy national police chief Kari Rantama signed the memorandum.
Under the project, DNA samples obtained on crime scenes that cannot be linked to any person in the database of the country where the crime was committed would also be checked against DNA profiles in the other country's database.
Data can be viewed by the other party only in the form of a coded DNA profile and no personal data on any individual will be sent out of the country, Estonian police say.
In the event of a match in DNA, the norms of international legal assistance will be observed in all further procedures.
EU interior ministers agreed in June that EU member states would exchange data from their national DNA and fingerprint databases with one another.
The Estonian DNA register has the DNA profiles of more than 15,000 individuals as well as 5,000 samples of crime scene DNA that haven't been linked to any person as of yet.
Prime Minister Ansip Met with Kálmán Mizsei, EU Special Representative for the Republic of Moldova
Dec 17 - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met with the EU Special Representative for the Republic of Moldova at Stenbock House.
At the meeting, thoughts were exchanged on possibilities to help Moldova in its aspirations towards the European Union.
In his conversation with the Special Representative, Ansip said that Moldova is a priority country for Estonia in the EU Neighbourhood Policy and bilateral development cooperation. He stated that Estonia is, by all means, ready to support Moldova and share its experience in passing reforms.
At the same time, the Prime Minister regards it as very important that Moldova continue with its reforms as well.
Moldova needs to carry out many preparation projects and continue making rearrangements, Ansip said. We are ardent supporters of the expansion of the European Union, but we cannot make a concession in expansion criteria.
Kálmán Mizsei, EU Special Representative for the Republic of Moldova, highly appreciated Estonia's support to Moldova. According to Mizsei, the Estonian government has clearly understood the problems of Moldova.
Estonia and the other Baltic States are reliable partners for Moldova, and it is a great advantage, he said. Your focus on supporting the democratisation process and rearrangements in Moldova is highly appreciated. The Estonian experience in reforms helps a lot.
Estonia Enters into Diplomatic Relations with Equatorial Guinea
Dec 18 - Estonian Ambassador to the UN Tiina Intelmann and Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the UN Lino Sima Ekua Avomo initiated diplomatic relations between the two nations in New York.
Following the signing of the diplomatic relations communiqué, the Estonian and Equatorial Guinean ambassadors discussed opportunities for intensifying relations between the two nations.
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa along the Gulf of Guinea. It is bordered by Cameroon on the north and Gabon on the south and east. The total area of the nation is 28,051 km², and it has a population of 551,201 people. The capital of Equatorial Guinea is Malabo, and the official languages are Spanish and French.
President Ilves received the credentials of the Israeli Ambassador
Dec 13 - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves received Israeli Ambassador Avi Granot who presented his credentials to the Head of State.
Israel is a significant strategic partner for Estonia in the Middle East, President Ilves said at the meeting and added that the mutually good relations are confirmed by many high-level visits. For instance, the current Israeli President, Shimon Peres, visited Estonia last spring.
Ambassador Granot provided an overview of the situation in the Middle East and confirmed that Israel wishes to intensify dialogue with the European Union member states on a political level, as well as develop cooperation in economics and science.
President Ilves praised the capable and competent Estonian Jewish community, saying that the local Jewish community is not very large, but they have a significant place in our economic, scientific and cultural life. As a country, Estonia has been a good and secure home for Jews and Estonia's Jewish community has always been a good and collaborative partner to the Estonian state, said the President. A representative of the Jewish community also participates in the President of the Republic's National Minorities Roundtable.
At the meeting, the enlivening of Estonian and Israeli economic relations was discussed at length, and both parties saw great potential in this area. In May 2006, an Israeli economic seminar took place in Estonia, and in September 2007 an Israeli business delegation visited Estonia. In 2006, the turnover of trade with Israel totalled 158.2 million kroons.
Estonia plans to open an embassy in Israel during the 2008-2009 year, and preparations for this are already underway.
DEFENCE NEWS
Estonian Soldiers to Stay in Kosovo for Another Year
Dec 19 - Estonian lawmakers passed a bill extending the participation of defence forces personnel in the Kosovo mission.
The decision mandates the deployment of up to 40 troops with the NATO-led KFOR force from January until Dec. 31, 2008.
Estonian defence forces have been participating in the Kosovo mission since 1999, when a military police platoon started operations there. The last ESTPATROL unit ended service in the breakaway Serbian province in December 2006.
In addition, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have contributed a BALTSQN unit since March 2003 by six-month rotation unit to a Danish battalion. The last such Estonian unit returned from Kosovo in August 2006.
There are at present 31 Estonian military personnel in Kosovo. The 26-strong reconnaissance platoon ESTRIF formed mostly of members of the Kaitseliit (Defence League) voluntary corps continues service in the ranks of the Danish battalion based at Mitrovica in the north of the province, and a staff officer and nurse are stationed at Camp Olaf Rye near Mitrovica. Two staff officers and a non-commissioned staff officer are serving at the mission headquarters in Pristina.
Estonia intends to keep more or less the same number of defence forces personnel in Kosovo, but due to a structural change, the unit may become an infantry platoon instead of reconnaissance, which may slightly increase the contingent, the Defence Ministry said.
The budget for the Kosovo missions in 2008 is 29.6 million kroons (EUR 1.89 mln), which comes from the Defence Ministry's budget.
Parliament Approved Estonia's Participation in EU Battle Group
Dec 19 - The parliament endorsed the participation of Estonian defence forces personnel in the Nordic Battle Group of the European Union.
The decision, which allows up to 55 troops to be used, if necessary, in possible operations of the battle group, collected 81 votes in the 101-member chamber. The mandate runs from January until the end of 2008.
The final decision on whether and where the force is to be deployed is made by consensus in the European Council. After such a decision is made, the defence minister will, in agreement with the foreign minister, order the contingent to start participation in the international operation, and immediately inform the president, parliamentary board and chairman of the National Defence Committee of the order.
By a unanimous decision of the EU council, the battle group can be used in military operations to maintain or restore peace and security, or some other military operation in keeping with the traditions and principles of international law.
The battle group will be on 15-day standby from next Jan. 1 to June 30. The EU will simultaneously have on standby a battle group under Spanish command in which France and Germany also participate.
The Nordic Battle Group is made up of units from the lead country of the force, Sweden, as well as from Norway, Finland, Ireland and Estonia. The force consists of a battalion-size tactical group together with combat support and combat service support units with a total of more than 2,500 soldiers.
Defence Minister Attended Meeting of Contributors to Afghanistan
Dec 13 - Estonian Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo took part in a meeting of defence and foreign ministers in Edinburgh, Scotland, of countries contributing to Southern Afghanistan.
Besides Estonia, the two-day meeting was attended by defence or foreign ministers of the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Romania, Denmark and the Netherlands, the Defence Ministry said.
Recent developments in Southern Afghanistan, cooperation between the countries, further plans of action and issues connected with assisting the local authorities were discussed.
The NATO-controlled international security assistance forces (ISAF) do not have enough troops and means to organize successful counter operations. ISAF is short three infantry battalions, 3,000 instructors for the training of Afghan police and armed forces, as well as about 20 transport and assault helicopters.
Estonia Gave 4 Million Kroons in Defence-Related Development Aid
Dec 20 - The Estonian Defence Ministry gave four million kroons (EUR 255,600) this year through defence-related development aid programs in support of Afghanistan, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and Geneva-based security policy centres.
Systematic contribution to defence-related development aid has an important place in Estonia's security and defence policy as well as a message, Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo said.
"In supporting the reconstruction of Afghanistan and other such projects, for instance, a deeper message and values are embedded, namely a sense of unity and indivisibility of security," the minister added.
The biggest share of the funds, 1.25 million kroons, went to NATO's Afghanistan humanitarian relief fund, which finances the construction of local hospitals, bridges, roads, power stations and other such installations.
A key project was contribution to the alliance's Partnership for Peace program aimed at destroying ground-to-air missiles in Georgia.
Estonia also gave Moldova almost 470,000 kroons for the destruction of environmentally hazardous pesticides and toxic chemicals, and Ukraine received over 800,000 kroons for a retiring military retraining program.
The Geneva-based Centre for Security Policy and Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces received almost 470,000 kroons each.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Prime Minister: The Funding of Research and Development Activities to Increase Considerably
Dec 18 - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip gave an overview of the status of Estonian research and development activities in front of the Riigikogu.
The Prime Minister noted that the increase in the competitiveness of Estonia is directly dependent on the success of research and development activities and innovation policy.
In 2008, the government will invest BEEK 1.98 in research and development activities. The aim is to increase the proportion of total expenses on research and development activities to 2% of gross domestic product by the year 2011, of which one half would be made up by investments from the private sector, Ansip said.
The total volume of the development plan Knowledge-Based Estonia 2007-2013 is almost BEEK 25.
Supported within the framework of this plan are direct investments into development activities, introduction of new technologies, cooperation between research institutions and companies, as well as an increase in innovation-awareness and innovatory spirit in general.
According to the Prime Minister, in the Estonian context, the fields in which we have scientific potential and where international development perspectives can be seen are being focused on in Estonia. Biotechnology, ICT and the development of energy technology are priorities.
In the development of top science, the next generation of scientists cannot be ignored, the Prime Minister stressed.
This is why in 2008, the government will increase the basic cost of a students place in higher education by 30%, which will sharply increase state financing of higher education, said Ansip.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Estonia to Ease Employment of Foreign Labour
Dec 13 - The Estonian government approved a bill to simplify the employment of foreign labour.
The draft law adjusts the rules of working in Estonia both for a short time and on a long-term residence permit, the governmental press service said.
One of the conditions for the registration of short-term employment of a foreigner is going to be that he or she be paid the average gross monthly salary of the sector. The bill lists positions to which the requirement does not apply.
For work on a long-term residence permit, the state obligates the employer to pay a foreigner wages at least equalling the national annual average pay multiplied by a coefficient of 1.24. The bill also expands a list of foreigners who are not required to have a work permit for employment in this country. The bill raises the immigration quota from the present 0.05 percent to 0.1 percent of Estonia's permanent population.
Estonian State Budget Revenues Exceed Spending by EUR 498 mln
Dec 13 - Revenues of Estonia's state budget in the first 11 months of this year totaled 74.1 billion kroons (EUR 4.73 mln) which is 90.2 percent of the target set in the main and supplementary budgets for 2007, data by the Finance Ministry show.
Revenues exceeded outlays by 7.8 billion kroons. Compared with the same period last year, revenue intake grew by 20.6 percent. By the end of November 2006 budget receipts stood at 61.5 billion kroons and the difference between revenues and outlays was 7.2 billion kroons.
Estonian Air's Passenger Numbers Grow 21 Percent in November
Dec 17 - Estonian Air carried 58,286 passengers during November, of them 52,826 on regular flights.
The number of passengers on regular flights increased by 19.2 percent year on year while on chartered flights the rate of increase was 44.6 percent. The overall number of passengers grew 21.2 percent year on year.
"The increase in the number of passengers in November was positively influenced by the opening of new routes, expanded availability of lower ticket fares, and focused sales and marketing support in the Estonian market," said Andrus Aljas, acting president and CEO of Estonian Air.
The most popular destinations in November were Oslo, Kiev, Milan and Moscow, with the number of passengers to these destinations growing by 19 percent, 22 percent, 48 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
Amended Packaging Law to Boost Recycling in Estonia
Dec 13 - Estonian lawmakers adopted an amendment to the Packaging Act designed to increase the recycling and reuse of packaging starting next year.
The law up until now prescribed recycling half of packaging waste. Under the amended law, 60 percent of packaging waste is to be recycled in the future. In absolute figures this means an increase of about 10,000 tons in recycled materials annually. Starting from 2010, 70 percent of packaging waste has to be recycled.
One of the reasons for increasing the amount of recycling is that producer responsibility organizations have coped fairly well with the current recycling obligation and are already collecting and reusing packaging at the required level.
For consumers, the amendment means above all better opportunities to dispose of packaging waste. As in order to comply with the higher recycling and reuse norms, more recycling containers need to be installed.
The amendment involves additional expenses to the tune of about 15 million kroons (EUR 0.96 mln) for packaging entrepreneurs.
Finns Considering Establishment of Biodiesel Plant in Estonia
Dec 12 - Leaders of the Finnish energy company Vapo discussed with the Estonian government the possibility of establishing a biodiesel plant in Estonia at a cost of more than 4.5 billion kroons (EUR 287.5 mln).
Besides Estonia, Vapo is also eyeing Finland and Sweden as locations for the new plant. The company's biofuel projects manager Mikko Kara said that Estonia's chances of housing the facility are just as good as Finland's or Sweden's.
"We're at present charting possible locations out of which we'll pick three or four by next summer. Estonia is strongly included in our studies," Kara said. The final decision on the location of the plant should be made in 2009.
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