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Estonian Review: April 4-11, 2006 
13.04.2006
FOREIGN NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
MISC
FOREIGN NEWS
FM: Further EU Enlargement Must be Based Upon the Same Principles as Last One
Apr 6 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gül in Ankara.
Paet said that Estonia supported Turkey's aspiration to join the EU. "Turkey has made progress in carrying out reforms," he said. "At the same time, the pace of reforms must not slow down, because continuation of reforms in a consistent manner is important for the process of accession to move on," Paet said.
Foreign Minister Gül said reforms hadn't slowed down in Turkey, although one might get such an impression. "We are carrying out reforms not for the EU but first and foremost for the Turkish people, who are worth it," Gül said.
Paet expressed hope that the accession negotiations which started not long ago will proceed smoothly. He said the length of the process was determined primarily by Turkey's own actions regarding reforms as well as homework.
The Turkish foreign minister said that Europe needed a broader vision of global developments in the 21st century.
"The Turkey that will at some point join the EU will definitely not be the same Turkey that we know today," Gül said.
During Paet's meeting with the Chief Negotiator of Turkey for EU Affairs, Minister of State Ali Babacan, an overview of the current state of Turkey's accession talks was given. Babacan said the screening of chapters had proceeded smoothly.
The foreign minister reiterated Estonia's position that enlargement of the union must continue on the basis of unchanged criteria. "Further EU enlargement must be based upon the same principles as applied to the last round," said Paet.
The parties also exchanged opinions about the topic of public opinion. EU member states must better explain to their citizens the benefits arising from further EU enlargement, Paet said. Both East and West will benefit from it if Turkey with its big population size keeps on developing its democracy, because that will result in greater stability, Paet said.
As Babacan said, people's fears related to Turkey's accession to the EU are premature because accession will materialize only when both sides are ready.
Estonian and Turkish relations and economic ties were under discussion at a meeting between the president of Turkey, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and Foreign Minister Paet.
Paet and Sezer agreed that relations between the two countries remain very good although the current state of economic ties does not reflect their true potential. Estonian investments are most welcome, the Turkish side said.
During the meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also economic relations between Estonia and Turkey were talked about.
Paet and the Turkish parliament speaker Bülent Arınçi talked mainly about interparliamentary relations.
Estonia and Germany Wish to See a Strong EU
Apr 5 - Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel to discuss Europe's future and energy security issues. Ansip outlined Estonia's endeavours in joining the Eurozone.
According to Prime Minister Ansip, the European Union faces the great challenge of how to restore people's trust in the Union.
I am glad that a principal agreement has been reached on the Union budget with the European Parliament. The next great challenge is the Constitutional Treaty. Estonia wishes to belong to a strong European Union and will continue the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty in the Riigikogu this spring, said Ansip.
According to Merkel, the entry into force of the Constitutional Treaty would be a great leap toward strengthening common foreign policy, which is important to Europe and especially the smaller Member States. Germany welcomes Estonia's decision to continue the Constitutional Treaty procedure.
Chancellor Merkel stressed the increasing importance of energy issues in the European Union.
Both Estonia and Germany wish to find solutions on the European level to establishing transnational electricity system connections, ensuring the security of supply and diversifying sources of energy. The government leaders expressed their hope that discussions for the approval of CO2 trade rules beyond 2012 will begin in the near future.
Another energy issue discussed was Russia's great role in supplying fuel to Europe. Estonia and Germany share the common interest of establishing a constructive dialogue with Russia in this sphere. Both countries hope that Russia will decide to join the International Energy Charter that regulates the principles of energy trade.
Prime Minister Ansip acquainted the Chancellor of Germany with Estonia's wish to join the Eurozone. Nearly 10% economic growth and the high world market prices of fuel may become the factors governing if and when we can adopt the euro. Estonia's membership will add one state with a strong and stable economic policy to the Eurozone, said Ansip.
According to Merkel, Estonia is like a hostage to quick economic growth in this respect. The Chancellor added that this was a multi-faceted issue that certainly needs further discussion to be resolved.
Estonia Considering Possibilities to Help Belarus Students
Apr 10 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said at the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxemburg that Estonia was considering possibilities how Belarus students expelled from universities for political reasons could be given the opportunity to continue studies in Estonia.
Discussing the situation in Belarus the foreign ministers expressed serious concern about the situation in the country. The violation of human rights, demonstrators' arrest and electoral violations were condemned in the final conclusions and a visa ban was imposed on people directly associated with the violations.
Foreign Minister Paet said that the visa ban was important because it revealed the people who directly stand behind all those violations. "It is very good that the list includes Belarusian President Alexander Lukašenka who is most directly responsible for everything taking place in Belarus," Paet said. He emphasized that the Belarusian leaders would have to release people arrested at demonstrations, including one of the leaders of the opposition Alexander Kozulin.
The ministers decided that the list of those banned a visa would remain open.
Paet stressed that Estonia was in favour of a multifaceted joint strategy concerning Belarus. He said EU member states would have to find opportunities to support the civil society and democracy in Belarus and development of the idea for the establishment of a special fund.
"Estonia is now considering ways how those Belarusian students who have been expelled from Belarusian higher educational establishments for political reasons could continue their studies," Paet said.
Also the post-electoral situation in Ukraine was discussed during the meeting. Paet said that the most important aspect now is to form a stable government that would ensure development and good progress of the country and follow principles of good co-operation with the European Union.
Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in Favour of Helping Belarus Students
Apr 7 - The Estonian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee backed a statement by youth associations, the Open Estonia Foundation and the European Movement of Estonia calling on the state and universities to rapidly offer young people form Belarus scholarships and places in Estonian universities.
The statement addressed to the Estonian government, members of the parliament and rectors of Estonia's universities calls for steps to help students expelled from universities in Belarus for participation in street protests and other actions disliked by the regime of Alexander Lukašenka to continue their studies in Estonia.
Estonian Ambassador: EU Aid System Should be Made More Efficient
Apr 11 - Estonian Ambassador to the EU, Väino Reinart said at the EU development aid minister's and officials' meeting in Luxemburg that the EU system of development and humanitarian aid should be made more efficient.
The ministers emphasized that for the aid to be more efficient close co-operation was required also between the country assisted and all those giving aid, like in the case of long-term co-operation.
Reinart, representing Estonia at the meeting, said that the humanitarian aid system had been renewed during the past year, but reforms would have to continue. "The catastrophes of the past year very clearly showed where the bottlenecks and serious shortcomings were," he said, adding that it was necessary to improve co-operation throughout the period that aid was given.
"The European Union must be able to react to crises immediately in a coordinated way, for that purpose it is necessary to develop common capabilities," he said.
Reinart added that issues of humanitarian aid were gaining more importance today, as were the issues related to the co-operation with EU civil defence structures. "The United Nations should be the coordinator of humanitarian aid in the first place and we all have to assist UN in its work," he said.
Estonia has set the target of raising the level of development aid to at least 0.1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product by that time.
Estonia to Seek Membership of UN Human Rights Council in 2012
Apr 7 - Estonia has decided to present its candidature for election to the UN Human Rights Council for the period from 2012-2014.
According to the Foreign Ministry presenting Estonia's candidature for that period enables Estonia to better plan its membership and make necessary preparations.
The first elections to the newly established council that will consist of 47 members of the UN will be held at the General Assembly session on May 9 this year.
The new web-site of the Estonian Permanent Representation to the UN
Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee: EU Needs to Maintain Good Relations with Third Countries
Apr 6 - It is essential for the EU to maintain good relations with third countries, including Arabian countries, the United States, Russia and China, the head of the Estonian parliament's European Affairs Committee, Kristiina Ojuland said.
The EU should have a common strategy for relations with third countries, particularly in issues concerning energy, security, intercommunication with failed states, arms control and protection of human rights, she said during a parliamentary debate on EU future.
According to Ojuland, Estonia has always viewed the bloc's strategic relationship with the United States as important.
The EU should also use its good position in relationships with Arabian countries and regardless of the setback over the cartoon controversy also with other Islamic countries, Ojuland said.
"Increasing spread of misconceptions from the Arabian world and vice versa may in future become a serious security threat," she observed.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Estonian Parties Nominated Presidential Candidates
Apr 6 - Five Estonian parties nominated 12 names all in all as presidential candidates.
MEP Toomas Hendrik Ilves was named by the Reform Party, Pro Patria Union and the Social Democratic Party, and Rector of Tartu University Jaak Aaviksoo was on the lists of Res Publica and Social Democrats.
Reform proposed also Population Minister Paul-Eerik Rummo and the Mayor of Tartu, Laine Jänes.
The Centre Party's candidates were parliament Speaker Toomas Varek, Head of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa and Chairman of the Tartu City Council Aadu Must.
Res Publica named in addition to Aaviksoo Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ene Ergma and the Chairman of the Board of Eesti Telekom, Jaan Männik.
Pro Patria Union's two other candidates were MP Peeter Tulviste and businessman Jaan Manitski, and the Social Democratic Party put also forward MP Liina Tõnisson.
Parties engaged in a search for a joint presidential candidate decided to give the nominees a month to present their views and start narrowing the field in May.
DEFENCE NEWS
Estonian Troops to Head for Afghanistan This Month
Apr 6 - First Estonian units of an extended mission will leave for South Afghanistan in the second half of April and by mid-summer 80 servicemen will be deployed in that country.
In the second half of this month a mine clearance team and a military observation team will head to South Afghanistan where the area of responsibility of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) acting under a mandate of the UN Security Council will expand this year.
The mine clearance team consists of 14 troops and the observation and security team has six members. In the second half of June also a 34-strong infantry platoon will head for South Afghanistan.
A reconnaissance unit, support team and staff officers included, the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan will number 80 by midsummer.
Estonia plans to raise the number of troops deployed in Afghanistan to 120 by the end of this year after a second infantry platoon, company command and members of the support unit start their mission.
The units of the Estonian defence forces will serve in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan alongside British troops.
Three staff officers have been serving at the headquarters of a multinational brigade in South Afghanistan since February.
Estonian Defense Minister Jürgen Ligi and British Ambassador to Estonia Nigel Haywood signed on Tuesday, April 11, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Estonian Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Defence of UK. The MoU establishes the procedures for logistical support given to the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan.
New Long-Term Goals needed for Baltic Defence Co-operation
Apr 8 - The commanders of the Defence Forces of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said during their meeting in Bauska, Latvia that new long-term goals have to be worked out for Baltic defence co-operation.
Commanders of national defence forces Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts of Estonia, Vice Admiral Gaidis Andrejs Zeibots of Latvia and Major General Valdas Tutkus of Lithuania said co-operation must continue and new, longer-term goals have to be determined in defence co-operation among the three countries.
Charting of new goals and objectives is necessary because the situation has changed. The now existing projects in defence co-operation got their start before the Baltic States became members of the EU and NATO.
The Baltic Military Committee endorsed the new training format of the Baltic Defence College based in Tartu, Estonia, and spoke about the activity and plans for the future of the joint airspace surveillance system BALTNET, mine countermeasures squadron BALTRON and joint command and control information system BALTCCIS.
Estonia to Buy Three Sandown Class Mine-hunters
Apr 6 - The Estonian government approved a bill on a preliminary agreement with Britain for the procurement of three Sandown class mine-hunters and the terms and conditions of the procurement agreement.
The government authorized the defence minister to sign the procurement agreement provided it does not involve binding commitments exceeding 50 percent of the funds earmarked for the respective item of expenditure in any current budgetary year.
Delivery deadlines and other details of the deal will be finalized in talks in the near future.
The defence forces' development plan for 2010 outlines spending up to 800 million kroons (EUR 51.1 mln) for the replacement of naval vessels.
Warships from Nine Countries to Take Part in Victory Day Naval Parade in Estonia
Apr 5 - Twenty warships from nine countries are expected to take part in this year's Victory Day naval parade in Estonia but the number may yet increase.
Estonia's first naval parade, to be staged in the Bay of Kudema on the northern coast of the island of Saaremaa, will feature warships from nine countries.
Participating ships come from the United States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, France, Sweden, Finland, Britain and Denmark. Eleven ships arrive from foreign countries and the rest are Estonian.
In accordance with international practice also sailboats from different yachting clubs will take part in the event.
Estonia celebrates Victory Day on June 23.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Currency Rates in Kroons
(Bank of Estonia)
Estonia's Foreign Trade Turnover up by One-Fourth 2005
Apr 10 - Estonia's foreign trade turnover increased by 25 percent last year compared to 2004, including 30 percent growth in exports and 22 percent in imports, the Statistical Office reported.
The foreign trade turnover in 2005 totalled 224.4 billion Kroons (EUR 14.34 b), with export accounting for 96.8 billion and import 127.6 billion Kroons.
The trade deficit was 30.8 billion Kroons compared to 30.3 billion Kroons in 2004.
Exports increased by 22.178 billion Kroons or 29.7 percent and imports, by 22.684 billion Kroons or 21.6 percent year-on-year.
Goods were exported from Estonia to 159 countries and imported from 117 countries. The foreign trade balance was positive with 105 countries.
The share of European Union countries (EU 25) in the exports was 78 percent against 80 percent the year before.
Export to EU countries increased by 15.4 billion Kroons or 26 percent.
Registered Unemployment Figure Dropped Below 20,000 for the First Time
Apr 7 - As of April 1, there were 19,489 unemployed, 2.3 percent of the country's working-age population, registered with the Labour Market Board; the figure fell by 6 percent or 1,249 people compared to March.
Compared with April 1 last year the number of registered jobless fell by 35.7 percent, the Labour Market Board reported. Tiina Ormisson, director-general of the Labour Market Board, said the number of registered unemployed fell below 20,000 for the first time.
A total of 22,855 unemployed and 567 job-seekers looked for work through the Labour Market Board during March, while 2,518 people were registered as new jobless. This is 42 percent less than last March and 0.2 percent more than in the previous month.
MISC
Estonians Fill 110 Posts in EU Structures
Apr 5 - Employees from the ten countries that joined the European Union in 2004 fill 1,627 posts in EU institutions, among them are 110 officials from Estonia.
According to a report the administration commissioner, Siim Kallas from Estonia, published, Hungarians have so far filled the most posts assigned to the country.
Of new member state employees, 445 come from Poland, 285 from Hungary, 216 from the Czech Republic, 130 from Slovakia, 110 from Estonia, 108 from Slovenia, 57 from Malta, 125 from Latvia, 102 from Lithuania, and 49 from Cyprus, EUobserver reported.
The President's Cultural Foundation Announced a Competition for the Young Artist Prize
Apr 5 - The Young Artist Prize to the amount of 50,000 Estonian Kroons is awarded by the President's Cultural Foundation to Estonian artists up to the age of 35 years, whose artistic achievements have been widely recognized, or whose artistic work and activities have considerably helped to make Estonia and its culture known in the world.
The Young Artist Prize has been issued already five times. In previous years the award has been given to composer Tõnu Kõrvits, folk musician Krista Sildoja, writer and art critic Jan Kaus, contactor Anu Tali and theatre director and actor Jaanus Rohumaa.
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
To subscribe please contact: vmpress@vm.ee
 
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