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Estonian Review: May 24 - June 6, 2006
09.06.2006
FOREIGN NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
IN SHORT
MAIN GUIDELINES OF ESTONIA'S FOREIGN POLICY
Jun 6 - Address by FM Urmas Paet to the Riigikogu on behalf of the Government of Estonia
"When pondering the connections between foreign policy and national security, as well as the inter-layering of these two concepts, never forget, that a small nation cannot remain whole, if it is not held together by its own language and culture, its sense of home, and the knowledge of its own history. These concepts, classically treated as soft values, are, when need be, harder than rock, and stronger than iron. Hidden in them, we can always find the seed that ensures our survival."
Entire speech available at Foreign Ministry's web-site
FOREIGN NEWS
FM and his Serbian Counterpart Discussed Situation in Western Balkans
May 25 - The Foreign Minister of Serbia Vuk Draškovic paid an official visit to Estonia just a few days before the Montenegrin independence referendum.
Vuk Draškovic and his Estonian counterpart, Urmas Paet, talked about the situation in western Balkans, Kosovo in particular and developments in Montenegro following the independence referendum. Paet said after the meeting that Estonia is ready to recognize Montenegro's independence and noted that he is glad that the separation of Serbia and Montenegro has proceeded peacefully.
President Arnold Rüütel said at a meeting with the foreign minister of Serbia that he supports Serbia's bid to join the European Union. Rüütel told Vuk Draškovic Estonia backs Serbia's integration into both NATO and the EU. "Europe where both the Baltic and the Balkan countries have been able to realize their ambitions and make themselves heard can be held up as a model for the whole world," the president said.
Vuk Draškovic is the first foreign minister of Serbia to visit Estonia. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 2001.
FM: EU Should not Look for Artificial Borders for Europe
May 29 - Chairman of the European Parliament Josep Borrell Fontes met with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet during his visit to Estonia. Speaking about enlargement of the European Union Paet stressed that the EU should not waste energy on looking for artificial borders for Europe.
"Above all it is important to share common values and secure positive developments. It is also necessary to keep promises once given," Paet said. The minister said that it was also necessary to see that positive aspects of the EU enlargement were spoken about. "Also the last enlargement of the European Union has had a positive effect on both the new and the old member countries," Paet said. The president of the European Parliament agreed with foreign minister that the last enlargements had been successful in economic terms. Both Borell and Paet found that the fate of the EU Constitutional Treaty should be decided before the next Europarliament elections in 2009. Speaking about the common European currency, Borrell said that although countries using the euro were not very positive concerning fast enlargement of the euro group, he was certain that Estonia would soon switch to the euro. From the economic point of view Estonia is like the Ireland of Eastern Europe," he said. President Arnold Rüütel and Borrell dwelt at length on the process of democratization of the neighbouring countries of the bloc and the Estonian President underlined that it was important to help countries on the road to eurointegration to bring their legal space in accordance with European values.
Estonian and Belgian PMs: Ratification of Constitutional Treaty Must Continue
May 30 - At the meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip discussed issues concerning the future of Europe, which will be one of the main topics at the European Council next week.
The Prime Ministers expressed a common position that the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty must continue and the states who have not ratified the Treaty yet should express their opinion. The Belgian Prime Minister said that EU had to move forward together with all the member states. Such a failure should not, however, exclude consideration of different future scenarios. Belgian PM expressed belief that Estonia definitely belongs to the member states supporting the further integration of Europe. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said that the goal of the discussion about the future of the EU should be moving forward with as many countries as possible. Estonia supports a strong Europe that is not split into two or more groups moving at a different pace.
The enlargement of the euro zone was also discussed at the meeting. The Prime Minister introduced Guy Verhofstadt to Estonia's preparations for the adoption of the euro. According to the Belgian Prime Minister, the euro zone is not a closed club. Yet the application of the rules governing accession to the euro area must be unambiguous and clear.
EU FMs Want Ratification of Constitutional Treaty to Continue
May 29 - Foreign Ministers of the European Union at their unofficial Gymnich meeting in Klosterneuburg in Austria found that ratification of the Constitutional Treaty must continue in member countries.
The Foreign Ministers found that the period of reflection agreed on at the European Council last June permitted wide discussion of the issue in member countries and should be continued.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said the problems that had surfaced in the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty must not obstruct further development of the EU.
He said that in this situation more attention should be paid to more effective functioning of the European Union and development of different spheres in the framework of effective basic agreements.
Paet said a positive example of this was launching of police and legal cooperation in penal issues in order to work for more effective cooperation, as the present decision-making system prevents the achievement of results.
Leaders of the European Union's foreign policy found that enlargement of the union must continue and the union must meet the promises it had already given. They found that a situation where candidate countries were ready to accede to the union but the union itself is not able to receive them should be avoided.
"The European Union's reception capacity should not become an abstract pretext to slow down or stop enlargement," Paet said.
"The signal that the door of the European Union remains open for the candidate countries is very important for them. We therefore support the principle that further enlargement of the European Union must rely on the same principles and be guided by the same criteria that acted as guidelines in the last enlargement," Paet said.
He said that various fears were mentioned also before the last enlargement, but they proved to be ungrounded, as could be seen from the recent European Commission's study that the last EU enlargement was a success not only in political but also in economic terms.
PM Met with Presidents of the Bundesrat and Bundestag
May 31 - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met with the President of the German Federal Council (Bundesrat) Peter Harry Carstensen and the President of the Federal Diet (Bundestag) Norbert Lammert.
At the meeting, both parties confirmed that the relations between Estonia and Germany were excellent and if something had to be improved, then the economic contacts to be established by business people could be closer than before.
In the course of the field training programme organised by the Bundestag, many of our young people have had an opportunity to attend lectures at Berlin universities and work for the offices of the Bundestag deputies, said the Prime Minister as he highlighted a good example of mutual cooperation. Peter Carstensen, who is also the governor of Schleswig-Holstein, expressed the opinion that the Baltic Sea region would continue to be an area producing the highest economic growth in Europe. According to Carstensen, all countries have to further intensify cooperation to this end.
President Participated in the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS
Jun 2 - President Arnold Rüütel delivered in New York a speech at the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, met with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Executive Director of UNAIDS Peter Piot.
President Rüütel asserted that he considers the current high-level meeting and commitment to finding a common solution to this problem a significant message to the world. We realise that no country can win this fight alone, it takes international solidarity to be successful. Estonia as a member of the European Union collaborates with various countries and will accede to all upcoming international joint efforts to prevent HIV, Rüütel said.
Meeting with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, President Rüütel underlined that Estonia is constantly increasing its contribution to different activities of the UN, among other things to raising awareness about the necessity for HIV prevention work and, for example, contributing also to humanitarian aid or development programs.
The UN Secretary-General thanked Estonia for participating in the work of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, and also for Estonia's commitment to allocate a certain fixed percentage of its GDP for development aid. Kofi Annan also noted that the participation of the President of Estonia in the High-Level meeting on HIV/AIDS gives a significant signal to the world that Estonia takes that epidemic very seriously and will be a good example for other EU countries.
President Rüütel confirmed that Estonia, within the framework of the EU neighbourhood Policy, has taken an obligation to give development aid to the countries of the Caucasus region, Moldova and Ukraine. The President raised the issue of the indigenous people of Russia and added that to a great extent they lack an opportunity for self-realisation and getting education in their mother tongue.
FM: Estonia is of High Opinion about Ukraine's Progress in Carrying out Reforms
Jun 2 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said in Kiev he hopes that the new Ukrainian government will continue integration into the European Union and NATO.
The government should secure stable development of the state, Paet said at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Boris Tarasyuk. He also voiced the hope the new government will actively carry on the political and economic reforms announced by President Victor Yushchenko.
Tarasyuk said he was convinced the new coalition government would continue efforts for Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO. In his words, the government is likely to be formed on June 7 when Ukraine's new parliament convenes.
Speaking about Ukraine's integration into the EU, Paet noted that after the new government takes office consultations over the objectives and content of a new, improved visa facilitation agreement could begin.
He said Estonia backs the position that a visa facilitation agreement with Ukraine should be concluded on at least as favorable terms as that with Russia, basing on Ukraine's bid for closer cooperation with the 25-nation bloc.
As regards the situation in Transnistria on Ukraine's border with Moldova, the ministers agreed that the EU border mission has done a good job till now.
"Estonia wishes to see peaceful solution of the Transnistria conflict based on the principle of Moldova's territorial integrity," Paet said.
Estonia has at present two border guards serving on the mission and according to the foreign minister ways to increase mission personnel are being sought.
The ministers further talked about Ukraine's Euroatlantic integration. Paet said Estonia has a high opinion of the country's progress in carrying out reforms.
Paet and his opposite number expressed delight at the state of Estonian-Ukrainian relations. According to Tarasyuk, a draft agreement on economic and trade cooperation currently in preparation will get Ukraine's approval for Estonia to be able to start procedures for its harmonization with EU member states.
First Estonian Honorary Consulate Opened in Ukraine
Jun 3 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet opened the first ever Estonian Honorary Consulate in Ukraine, situated in the city of Simferopol in the Crimea. Crimea was chosen because it has the largest emigre Estonian community of different regions of Ukraine. Of the 4,000 or so people of ethnic Estonian background living in Ukraine, about 1,000 live in Crimea. Crimea is also one of the main tourist regions of Ukraine, visited by an increasing number of Estonians, said Paet. The first Estonian honorary consul in Ukraine is Igor Sergeyev, whose consular region is the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Born in 1957 and trained as an engineer, Sergeyev is the director of a group of companies doing business in satellite and cable communications technology. In the future Estonia hopes to introduce Honorary Consulates also in the Ukrainian cities of Odessa and Lviv.
Contacts of the HC: http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_568/7560.html
Estonia to Fund Studies of Expelled Belarusian Students
May 25 - The Estonian government allocated 601,000 kroons (EUR 38,400) from its reserve fund to provide a state scholarship to students expelled from Belarusian universities for political reasons.
The scholarship will enable up to 10 students to continue their studies at Estonian universities from the autumn semester.
The money will cover the cost of a place at a university, a monthly allowance big enough to live on, travel expenses to Belarus and back twice a year, health insurance and the expense of obtaining a residence permit.
Students seeking a scholarship can send their applications to the Estonian consulate in Minsk that will forward them to Estonia. A commission will be set up to pick successful candidates.
Statement by Estonian Foreign Ministry
The Estonian Foreign Ministry welcomes the readiness of the United States to join Great Britain, France and Germany at the talks with Iran aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the situation.
The mutual co-operation between the United States and the European Union in that process is of priority importance.
The US decision has been a strong impetus, which has already brought about the first positive developments, as a result of which the package offered to Iran was endorsed yesterday. We expect Teheran to abandon the hasty adoption of positions and not to miss the real opportunity to find a diplomatic solution. The Foreign Ministry encourages Iran to make the right choices in its further activities.
Estonian MPs Encouraged Romania to Continue with Reforms
May 25 - A delegation of the Estonian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee during its visit to Romania encouraged Bucharest to carry on reforms necessary for joining the European Union.
Romania should first of all continue reforms needed to develop the state and the society, the members of the parliament said at meetings with legislators and representatives of the executive arm. Romanian officials in turn confirmed readiness for integration into Europe.
The Chairman of the Committee Enn Eesmaa noted that western Balkans play an important role in securing European stability, and stressed the necessity of forging closer ties between countries and parliaments. He invited members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to visit Estonia.
The Head of the Romanian Committee thanked Estonia for ratifying Romania's and Bulgaria's EU accession agreements and voiced hope that Romania will become a full member of the
25-nation bloc on Jan. 1, 2007.
Estonia Wants to Join Forces with Russia against Human Trafficking
Jun 2 - Estonia wishes to expand cooperation to combat human trafficking and join forces with Russia toward this end.
"Human trafficking is a crime that does not recognize national borders and which countries need to team up to combat," Estonian Ambassador to Russia Marina Kaljurand said at a roundtable meeting in Moscow dedicated to the prevention of human trafficking. "Estonia has excellent cooperation ties with the Baltic states and Nordic countries, now the cooperation should be expanded to include Russia and more broadly the Baltic Sea region."
The conference held at the Estonian embassy in Moscow was attended by Estonian and Russian experts who discussed the prevention and discovery of human trafficking and assistance to victims.
Among participants were representatives of the Estonian Foreign, Justice and Social Affairs ministries, Police Board and nongovernmental organizations. From the Russian side, representatives of the human rights ombudsman, Moscow city government, State Duma lower house, Foreign and Interior ministries, Academy of Science and NGOs were present.
Experts from the Estonian Justice Ministry presented the Baltic state's action plan to combat human trafficking for the 2006-09 period and officials from the Foreign Ministry spoke about the activity of a Baltic-Nordic anti-human trafficking work group.
The group started work in 2003 and its essential achievement is that the topic has been on the political agenda in all countries of the region.
The roundtable was organized jointly by the Estonian Foreign and Justice ministries and the embassy in conjunction with Russia's nonprofit association Angel Coalition. Earlier similar conferences have taken place in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, the Foreign Ministry said.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
PM: Next Year's Budget Will be a Budget for Safe and Secure Estonia
May 31 - At its extraordinary session, the Government approved the state budget strategy for the years 2007-2009 in the amount of 335 billion Estonian kroons.
The state budget strategy approved today will serve as the basis for Estonia's budget for 2007, which will focus, above all, on improving safety and ensuring security, said Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. According to Ansip, people must be able to feel safe in Estonia. We cannot allow for the disintegration of the police force because of low wages, or provide rescuers with supplies that are not adequate in emergencies, said the Prime Minister. Over the next four years, 100 million kroons will be allocated for increasing the salaries of police officers. This will affect about 4500 police officers. In addition, 126.6 million kroons will be allocated to the Police Board for renewing its vehicle fleet. The Rescue Board will receive 68 new rescue vehicles at a total cost of 66.5 million kroons over the next four years; and a total of 333.5 million kroons have been planned for salary increases and additional supplies. According to the Prime Minister, there is also an important emphasis on increasing Estonia's defensive capabilities. Guaranteeing security is of primary importance: that is why the financing of the national defence will increase by 28 percent next year. Over the course of the next four years national defence will receive nearly 10 billion kroons, said Andrus Ansip. The Prime Minister also considered it important to invest in the development of a strong network of foreign representations. Safety and national security also mean a strong and well-functioning network of foreign representations. If, for example, in China, the Estonian embassy is currently located in a hotel room, it cannot make a very respectable and convincing impression. The improvement of the situation of the embassies located in Beijing, Budapest and London is already planned to begin with this year's supplementary budget. The next year will see the renovation of the representation building in Copenhagen and assignment of staff to the Tbilisi and Sofia embassies.
The national budget strategy is a document in which the Government of the Republic presents the principles it applies in budgetary policy, the main goals of its activities, as well as an analysis of the economic situation and its development outlook, including estimated government revenue. The national budget strategy total for 2007-2010 is 335 billion kroons, of which foreign resources account for nearly 49 billion kroons.
Estonian Foreign Trade Grew by 32 pct on Year in March
May 26 - Estonia's foreign trade turnover was 23.8 billion kroons (EUR 1.52 b) in March according to preliminary information, 32 percent higher than in the same period last year.
Export accounted for 10.3 billion kroons or 43 percent of the total foreign trade figure and import 13.5 billion kroons or 57 percent, the Statistical Office said.
The export of goods increased by 33 percent compared with March 2005 and by 17 percent compared with February 2006.
The import of goods increased by 32 percent against March 2005 and by 18 percent against February 2006.
Estonian Average Wages up Nearly 16 pct in Q1
May 26 - The Estonian Statistical Office said that the average gross wages in the country climbed by 15.7 percent to 8,591 kroons (EUR 549) in Q1 this year in what was the biggest rise in the past eight years.
The average hourly pay of full and part time workers, however, was 13.8 percent higher from that in Q1 2005.
In Q1 this year the average gross monthly wages increased the most in fishery, by 62.2 percent, and the least in power engineering, gas and mains water supply (by 4.4 percent).
The average monthly wages in January were 8,382 kroons, in February 8,291 kroons and in March 9,083 kroons, the Statistical Office said.
IN SHORT
Estonia Rotated Peacekeepers in Balkans
Jun 05 - The advance teams of fresh rotations of the Estonian peacekeeping units serving in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina flew to the mission area, with the rest of the personnel to follow on June 12. Both the ESTGUARD unit formed on the basis of the Kaitseliit (Defence League) volunteer corps, which is serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the military police unit ESTPATROL deployed in Kosovo will be replaced this month.
Infantrymen of Estonia's ESTCOY-2 arrived in Afghanistan
May 26 - Personnel of ESTCOY-2, an infantry company of the Estonian defense forces, arrived in their mission area in southern Afghanistan. The 37 personnel of ESTCOY-2 will be serving under the 3rd battalion command of the paratrooper regiment of the 16th British airborne brigade, being part of the British combat group.
Estonia Helped Raise Awareness of NATO in Russia's Pskov
May 24 - A conference devoted to the possibilities of military cooperation in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, arranged jointly by Estonia, Latvia and the Moscow-based NATO information bureau, took place in Pskov, north-western Russia. The Pskov event was one in a series of seminars in different Russian cities during May 11-26, titled NATO Rally 2006 and threw light on the work of the NATO-Russia Council and discussed the relationship between the alliance and Russia. Speakers at the Pskov conference included security and military experts, representatives of NGOs, politicians and public servants. A cultural program on the fringes of the conference featured Estonian and Lithuanian military bands, a photo exhibition and other interesting events.
Estonia to Step up Military Cooperation with Hungary
May 25 - The Commander of Estonian Defence Forces, Vice Adm. Tarmo Kõuts, was on an official visit to Hungary to map out plans for closer cooperation with the Hungarian forces.
Kõuts met with Defense Minister Ferenc Juhasz and his opposite number, Gen. Andras Havril and visited special units based near the city of Szolnok in central Hungary.
The focus of the visit was on exchanging the experience of Estonian and Hungarian troops' participation in international operations, policing of the airspace of the Baltic states, and bilateral cooperation within the framework of NATO.
US Report Acknowledged Estonia's Efforts against Copyright piracy
May 26 - The annual report on the protection of intellectual property published by the United States government positively views Estonia's work in ensuring the protection of intellectual property. In the 2006 Special 301 Report, which is how the report is called, Estonia has been left out of all the lists showing shortcomings in the protection of intellectual property in different countries. This fact acknowledges the work done by Estonia and shows the ability of the Estonian state to deal with issues related to protecting intellectual property, spokespeople for the Estonian Tax and Customs Board said.
Estonia Supported Victims of Indonesian Earthquake with 500,000 Kroons
May 28 - The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to allocate 500,000 kroons of humanitarian aid to help eliminate the consequences of Indonesian earthquake and provide relief to victims. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet signed a directive, pursuant to which the sum is to be allocated from the Foreign Ministry's means earmarked for development and humanitarian aid.
Main Prizes of Foreign Ministry's Spring Quiz Went to Norway, Russia
Jun 05 - The winners of the ninth biannual quiz of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, who will be treated by the ministry to free plane tickets to Estonia and back along with a five-day, five-star reception in the country, come from Norway and Russia. Entries from Trine Berntsen of Norway and Anna Chelikanova from Russia were drawn as winners by Foreign Minister Urmas Paet from among respondents who had answered correctly to all the 12 questions asked in the online quiz. In all, 1,660 people from 67 countries took part in the Spring Quiz, with the largest number of entries coming from the United States, France, Poland, Russia and Canada. Entries were also submitted from Guatemala, Peru, Nigeria, Kenya, Chile, New Zealand, Colombia, Venezuela and Costa Rica. Correct answers were sent by 1,018 respondents in the English-language quiz and by 360 respondents in the Russian-language quiz. The Foreign Ministry has conducted spring and winter quizes for visitors to its website and the websites of Estonia's embassies for four years already. Each of the main prizes includes two airline tickets to Estonia and back with accommodations and free dinners at restaurants for five consecutive days from June 5 to August 31, 2006. The winners will spend two nights at the Hotel The Three Sisters in Tallinn and two nights at the Ammende Villa in Estonia's summer capital, Pärnu.
Estonia Ranked High in Global Press Freedom Survey
May 24 - Estonia ranked highest of East European countries in a global press freedom survey for the second consecutive year.
The annual survey of the New York-based Freedom House evaluated freedom of the press in 194 countries. The study rated the press free in 73 countries, partly free in 54 countries and not free in 67 countries. Estonia, scoring 16, was together with the Bahamas, Germany, Monaco, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States in shared 17th place. Last year's survey put Estonia with a score of 17 in shared 24th place with Barbados, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Latvia and the United States. Estonia is the highest-ranking East European country and new European Union member state in the survey.
PM's Visit to France Postponed
May 25 - Estonian PM Andrus Ansip's working visit to France was postponed due to the domestic policy situation in France.
Refugee Registration Centre to Open in Tallinn
May 25 - Estonian Interior Minister and the Head of the Citizenship and Migration Board opened a centre for the registration of asylum-seekers in Tallinn. The purpose of the centre is to accept applications from asylum-seekers, process them and make decisions. From now on all proceedings of the asylum process can be carried out in one and the same place with the help of modern technology. The board now has at its disposal also interviewing rooms meeting today's requirements.
Conventions of Estonia's Res Publica, Pro Patria Union Sealed Merger
Jun 05 - Conventions of the Res Publica and Pro Patria Union parties which were held in the southwest Estonian city of Pärnu endorsed the merger of the two opposition parties. At the Res Publica convention, 512 party members voted in favour of the merger, one was against and one abstained. Also gathering in Parnu, a convention of Pro Patria Union endorsed the creation of the Union of Pro Patria Union and Res Publica, which is how the party will be initially called. The merger was approved with 354 votes for, 13 against and three abstentions.
Estonia to Collect Information on Air Passengers
Jun 5 - As of this September, airlines flying to Estonia must send a list of their passengers to the Estonian border guard even before takeoff, so the authorities would be informed about the arrival of unwanted people in good time. According to an amendment drawn up by the Interior Ministry airlines must send the list of passengers to the country of destination immediately after the registration to the flight is closed. In Estonia the information will be received by the border guard that will check the list before the arrival of the aircraft. At present the people arriving in the country are only checked at the passport control. The reason for the amendment is international terrorism. In the future, it will help check passengers even after the abolition of passport control within the Schengen visa zone.
Survey - Number of Internet Users in Estonia up by 65,000
Jun 6 - Of Estonian residents aged 6-74, some 60 percent or 713,000 use the Internet, which is nearly 65,000 people more than last spring, a survey by TNS Emor showed. The increase in Internet penetration has been fostered by the spread of home Internet. Some 224,000 households or 39 percent are hooked up into the Internet and the number of families having the possibility to log onto the web from home is growing steadily. If earlier the use of Internet by older people was something rare then over the past year the situation has changed significantly.
Survey - Support among non-Estonians for the EU Grew in May
Jun 1 - According to TNS Emor's recent survey, the support of Estonian citizens for Estonia's membership in the European Union remains quite stable for the fourth consecutive month, between 67-79%. In May the indicator was 69%. Compared to the previous months of this year, the number of steady supporters for the European Union has grown - by gender, age and income. A particularly notable increase in growth has occurred among non-Estonians: while Estonia's membership in the European Union was supported by 66% of them in April, then in May by 79%. The respective figure among Estonians was 67% in May. The support for the introduction of the euro in Estonia has also remained stable for the last four months: both in April and May it was supported by 41% of Estonians, 49% were opposed.
GOV Endorsed Estonian-Latvian Anti-Crime Agreement
Jun 1 - The Estonian government endorsed an agreement with Latvia on cross border cooperation in crime-fighting.
The aim of the agreement is to strengthen cooperation between Estonia and Latvia in the fight against crime and to help implement the Schengen treaty of 1995 as well as the Schengen convention of 1990 on the gradual abolition of control on member countries' borders.
The agreement on crossborder cooperation between the countries is signed in order to preclude dangers that could arise as a result of the scrapping of controls.
EESTI RINGVAADE is compiled from local news services, including BNS, and is issued by the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Eesti Ringvaade is also available through the Internet at http://www.vm.ee
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