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Estonian Review: January 22 - February 5, 2006 
08.02.2006
TOP NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
CULTURAL NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
TOP NEWS
The Holocaust Day was commemorated in Estonia
Jan 26 - Estonia commemorated the Holocaust Day. Candles were lit, and wreaths were laid on the site of a former Nazi concentration camp at Klooga. The event was attended by the speaker of the Estonian parliament Ene Ergma, the ambassadors of Austria, Israel, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic, deputy to the ambassador of the United States, archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Andres Põder, representatives of the Jewish community and several NGOs.
Estonian government issued a statement. "During the Second World War, the Nazi regime systematically eliminated on the occupied Estonian territory both Estonian Jews, and those, that had been brought here from elsewhere," the statement read. "There is no justification for the participation of anyone in these shameful and morally condemnable acts. Even if they have not directly shed the blood of anyone, they are nevertheless morally responsible. Knowing the past teaches tolerance and helps to achieve that the crimes of the last century will never be repeated," the statement said.
The Ministry of Education and Science called on all Estonian schools to explain to students the tragic events of the last century. Holocaust Memorial Day was marked in Estonia's schools for the first time in 2003, after the government of then Prime Minister Siim Kallas had decided in favor of adopting the date in 2002.
Estonia and Sweden continue co-operation in assisting Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova
Feb 1 - Foreign Minister Paet met his Swedish colleague Laila Freivalds in Tallinn to discuss further co-operation. The ministers touched topics such us Swedish experience in Western Balkans, and in Near East, Swedish labour market, Palestine after elections, conflict over cartoon, published in Danish newspaper and it's consequences, enlargement of EU and Northern Dimension.
Estonia and Sweden have already worked together on development co-operation projects in Georgia, Ukraine and Armenia. Sweden has allocated grants for five Ukrainian students who are studying at the Estonian School of Diplomacy.
According to ministers Moldova would be the next target country. Swedish foreign minister mentioned three possible areas of co-operation with Moldova - public administration reform, information technology and environment.
EU needs to have common view on it's energy politics. EU will be more secured, if not depended on one energy provider, only. There has to be variety of sources for political reasons, as well.
Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds offered Estonia the possibility to use facilities of Swedish embassies, if there is a need to send an Estonian diplomat to country, where Estonia hasn't its own accommodation. "We'll discuss it, and definitely we'll go on with the topic," the Estonian minister said. He said Estonia already has similar experience of cooperation with Finland. Last August an Estonian consular official started working on the premises of the Finnish embassy in the Indian capital New Delhi.
FOREIGN NEWS
FM: Estonia would like to observe presidential elections in Belarus
Jan 30 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participating at the meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union in Brussels, stressed Estonia's will to participate, as an observer country, on the presidential elections in Belarus. This event will be essential for this country, speaking on it's orientation to West, or East. It is most important to guarantee democratic standards on this process. All the candidates must have equal opportunities to became elected, and free access to media.
FM: Palestine must give up violence and recognize the Israeli state
Jan 30 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated at the meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union in Brussels.
At the external relations council the situation in the Middle East, Iran, Western-Balkans and Afghanistan were under discussion
Speaking about the recent elections in Palestine the foreign ministers stated that the successful elections are a significant step towards democracy. The ministers urged the parties to renounce violence and asked the Palestine government to guarantee security in Gaza and West Bank. Political forces that belong to the new government of Palestine must clearly and unambiguously renounce violence, and recognize the state of Israel," stressed Estonian Foreign Minister. Democracy and violence do not fit together, and both Israel and Palestine need perseverance to settle their problems, the minister added.
The ministerial meeting voiced serious concern over Iran's recent steps and the hope that a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can be found. Estonian Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia considers it important for the EU and the United States to cooperate in this. "This would also help to bring in other key players in this field such as Russia, India and China. In cooperation with them we'll be able to send a clear and resolute message to Iran," he said.
Discussing the situation in western Balkans, the ministers expressed regret over the death of Kosovo's leader Ibrahim Rugova and urged all the parties involved to work actively together to ensure Kosovo's efficient participation in talks over the status of the province. They also stressed the necessity of Serbia and Montenegro's and Bosnia and Herzegovina's close cooperation with the international criminal court.
The foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Iraq, relations with Latin American countries, and the results of a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization in Hong Kong in mid-December.
Estonia expresses support to Denmark
Feb 1 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet after the European Union Foreign Ministers' meeting told the journalists that the conflict of the Muslim World and Denmark is not merely a Danish problem. Such things can hit us all and have long-lasting consequences on the relations between Europe and the Muslim World, Paet said. As we have entered the European Union and want the Union's foreign policy to be common in the direction of Russia, then it is not possible for us not to support our partners in other matters, Paet added.
Colombia is considering visa-freedom with Estonia
Feb 2 - Colombia, is pondering the introduction of similar travel regulations with Estonia, visiting Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco said in Tallinn. Colombia is working on the topic of introducing visa-free travel with Estonia and clarity may be achieved in a couple of months' time, she told reporters.
Until now cooperation between Estonia and Colombia has been limited to the United Nations and other international organizations and formats, but after accession to the European Union several topics have become important for Estonia that the country hasn't been in contact with before.
While the fight against narcotics is a common interest of Estonia and Colombia, there are other points too where the interests of the two countries meet, Paet said.
Colombia has been successful in stepping up the struggle against drug cartels, but for this the country needs help from both the European Union and the United States, Barco said. She said Colombia was interested in developing relations with Estonia, including in the fields of IT and economy.
Meeting with Estonian President Arnold Rüütel, the Colombian foreign minister gave an overview of the latest developments, but also of the problems that her country has to face when fighting against drug trafficking and illegal armed groups.
Barco admitted that though certain progress has been achieved, the country still faces many challenges and therefore good relations with the EU member states and their assistance is very important to Colombia.
According to the president, Estonia is ready to share its experience with Colombia in the fields of reform and building a civil society. Estonia is an active participant in EU and NATO endeavours and is ready to facilitate the development of Colombia within the framework of the cooperation between the EU and the Andean Community, Rüütel said.
Barco is the first foreign minister of a South American country to visit Estonia. Of Latin American countries, the foreign minister of Costa Rica was in Estonia in 1997.
Estonian, Finnish foreign ministers say Northern Dimension necessary in future too
Feb 3 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, and his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja in a joint newspaper article, published in both countries, urged to maintain and strengthen the Northern Dimension, that had become part of the EU's foreign policy in 1999.
Ministers recalled, that Northern Dimension refers to cooperation between the EU and North - Western Russia in the purpose of stability in the whole of North - Eastern Europe.
The main sub-sections of the Northern Dimension action plan are economy, human capital, including health and social welfare issues, environment and nuclear safety, cross-border and regional cooperation, and legal and interior affairs.
The Northern Dimension has found expression in two so-called partnerships: the environment partnership in 2001 and the public health and social welfare partnership in 2003.
Right now the value of projects under the environment partnership is about 1.2 billion euros. If projects that are in the planning stages are added, the total value comes to about two billion euros.
Last fall the first project of the environment partnership was finished with the completion of the St. Petersburg water treatment station. The first projects related to nuclear waste have already been launched. With the projects related to public health and welfare the parties seek to coordinate their activities in the struggle against dangerous infectious diseases and so-called lifestyle diseases, as well as to lower risks arising from social problems.
Within the framework of the Barents Sea cooperation, a HIV/AIDS program has been launched in North - Western Russia and the program will be now extended to the Baltic States. As next, basic level health care and the situation of health care in prisons will be tackled. The areas of the third, planned partnership could be transport and logistics, Tuomioja and Paet said.
Projects in that partnership could deal with the modernization of border checkpoints, simplification of logistics chains and customs procedures and increasing the safety of shipments.
The Estonian and Finnish ministers said that while doubts have been expressed about the future of the Northern Dimension, the ministerial conference at the end of last year gave its firm support for continuation of the program.
Tuomioja and Paet said the most important decision of conference was that the Northern Dimension would become a common policy of the EU and Russia, Norway and Iceland. Previously the latter three countries were partners outside the EU inner circle.
The ministers said that specifically Russia has criticized its being an object of the Northern Dimension rather than subject. "The major part of the projects are carried out precisely in Russia," they said. "Involving Russia, as an actual party (to Northern Dimension), creates better conditions, for projects of the Northern Dimension." Estonia and Finland could be the leading countries in this field of work with Russian Federation.
Ambassador repeats Estonian president's invitation for Putin to visit Estonia
Feb 3 - Presenting her credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Estonian Ambassador Marina Kaljurand repeated the Estonian president's invitation for the Russian leader to visit Estonia.
Kaljurand conveyed to Putin respects from Estonian President Arnold Rüütel and reiterated the invitation made by the Estonian president last year that the president of Russia visit Estonia, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.
Kaljurand said in her remarks at the meeting that relations between Estonia and Russia should be good neighbourly, mutually beneficial and of respect for each other, and that political contacts were important for this.
The Russian president said that events that have become history should not hinder the development of Russian-Estonian relations.
"We are convinced that events which have become part of history cannot and must not serve as a pretext for mutual claims or hold back progress in cooperation between our states and peoples," the Russian president said.
Putin said Russia was seeking an active dialogue and good-neighbourly relations with Estonia.
"We hope that our relations will be based on mutual respect, territorial integrity, observance of the fundamental human rights and freedoms, taking account of each other's legitimate interests," the Russian president said.
Ambassador of India presented his Letters of Credential
Jan 31 - Ambassador of the Republic of India Pradeep Singh presented his Letters of Credential to President Rüütel.
According to president Rüütel, Estonia wishes to intensify its relationship with India. "We are interested in the development of economic relations. We see great potential in our cooperation in the field of information and communication technology, bio- and gene technology and in pharmaceutics, as both countries are strong in those fields," Rüütel said.
President Rüütel also said that the Action Plan for EU-India Strategic Partnership is an excellent foundation on which to build mutual relations in the future.
Ambassador of India stated that both Estonia and India enjoy a strong economic growth and therefore we should intensify our bilateral economic and trade relationship to realize the potential of our two countries.
Ambassador of Switzerland presented his Letters of Credential
Jan 31 - Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation Josef Bucher presented his Letters of Credential to president Rüütel.
According to president Rüütel Switzerland has been a significant defence cooperation partner for Estonia. Estonia, as a NATO member, is interested in continuing security related cooperation with Switzerland. Although Estonian-Swiss economic relations are progressively developing, they could be more active, and expressed hope, that the EU membership of Estonia would encourage Swiss entrepreneurs to invest more in Estonia.
Swiss Ambassador noted that the visible prosperity achieved in Estonia is not only a success story for Estonia alone - it is a symbol, and an encouragement for other small countries to take control of their destiny and make the best out of it.
Estonian govt endorses plan to fight human traffic
Jan 26 - The Estonian government on approved a development plan to fight against human trafficking in the years 2006-2009, which sets out the main strategic goals and the ways, how to achieve them. In accordance with the development plan, Estonia will seek to consistently chart problems related to human trafficking in order to have comprehensive and reliable information about the scope and forms of human trafficking.
The government will also inform the public about the nature of human trafficking, and the threats, involved in it. On the same way government helps to develop the skills of the specialists, who are handling this problem.
The goal is to curb human trafficking by means such as stronger border controls, control of the intermediation of labour and by effectively reacting to crimes related to human trafficking.
Estonian govt set 2006 immigration quota
Feb 2 - The Estonian government endorsed the country's immigration quota for this year at 675. Under the Aliens Act the yearly immigration quota must not be higher than 0.05 percent of Estonia's permanent population, spokespeople for the government have said.
The quota does not apply to citizens of the European Union as Estonia is a member of the EU and there is a principle of the free movement of citizens in the bloc. Besides, the immigration quota does not apply to Estonians living abroad and citizens of Iceland, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States. It does not apply to spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and dependants of Estonian citizens and of aliens residing in Estonia under a residence permit.
Estonian rescue officials train their Armenian colleagues
Feb 1 - Three employees of the Estonian Rescue Board are in Armenia to hold a series of seminars on crisis communication and prevention. Leading officers are conducting the seminars in Yerevan, the Armenian capital.
The seminars deal with public relations, crisis communication and prevention on the basis of Estonian experience. Participants will also have to resolve various situations and perform tasks in work group exercises. The seminars are held within the framework of a bilateral project of development cooperation.
DEFENCE NEWS
New Military Attaché Appointed To Moscow
Feb 2 - At the latest in the beginning of March, Lieutenant - Colonel Urmas Pau begins his duty in Moscow, as the military attaché.
Urmas Pau was born in July the 2., 1951. Since 2005 he was appointed to Department of International Cooperation at the General Staff of Estonian Defence Forces, in 2004 - 2005 he was active at the Commanding Centre of Joint Operations of General Staff. Previously he had served as Staff Commander of Single - Guard Battalion, and Commander of Single - Signal Battalion.
The exercise of Estonian troops finished in Britain
Feb 2 - Estonian platoon of 45 people took part in exercise Herrick Eagle, held in Britain. The goal of exercise was to prepare them for mission in Afghanistan, where they will operate in Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan, with British troops. British partners gave high evaluation to armoured vehicles Pasi, of Finnish origin, which covered during training over one thousand kilometres.
Estonians will stay in Afghanistan for another two years. 150 men will cooperate with British brothers - in - arms in the future. Estonia is involved in Afghanistan since March 2003.
Estonian soldiers in Iraq get anti - explosive equipment developed ion their own country
Feb 2 - Estonian military personnel, serving in Iraq, are combating against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with their own counter-IED program, developed in Estonian universities in cooperation with military, a US report said. An article titled "Small Nation Helps Build Democracy in Iraq, Afghanistan," published on a web page of the US Department of Defence, reflects on the service of Estonian personnel in Iraq. "The project is working and it is a successful project," said a representative of the Ministry of Defence.
DOMESTIC NEWS
President wants pollution-preventing sea surveillance system for Estonia
Feb 1 - President Arnold Rüütel, who examined the situation with oil pollution on the North - Western coast of Estonia, called it important, that Estonia obtain surveillance capabilities allowing prevention of pollution.
Estonia needs a maritime surveillance system capable of quickly detecting pollution and the source of pollution, along with equipment, allowing rapid fight against pollution.
The president said he would discuss with the prime minister whether extra funding could be found to obtain such equipment. "Definitely this is the place to remind the Baltic Sea has been declared a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. Ship traffic in the Baltic Sea is constantly advancing, therefore Estonia must apply necessary measures to protect the sea."
Rüütel thanked the volunteers, who had come to help. The origin of the oil spill remains unclear.
The Presidential Roundtable on National Minorities discussed the national curriculum
Jan 24 - The Presidential Roundtable on National Minorities convened at Kadriorg Palace to discuss preparations for transition of Russian-language secondary schools to Estonian language in 2007, in accordance with the new national curriculum.
The discussion focused primarily on the general part of the curriculum for schools of general education. The members of the Roundtable on National Minorities concluded, that curriculum of Estonian schools should be unified regardless of the language of instruction, and have to take into account the society's multiculturalism and the two sides of integration.
Estonian lawmakers pass amendments on benefits for presidential spouse
Jan 26 - The Estonian parliament unanimously adopted amendments to the law on the office-related benefits of the president, which significantly expand the benefits awarded to the president's spouse.
According to the amendments, the president's spouse has the right during the president's term in office to hire a secretary at the office's expense, use an automobile with driver, and have travel-related and other grounded expenses compensated by the state. The spouse will be paid a monthly sum toward representation expenses in the amount of 30 percent of the president's official salary.
ECONOMIC NEWS
European Commission gives high marks to Estonia's, and Slovenia's budget policy
Feb 1 - Estonia and Slovenia hope to be the first new EU members to adopt the euro next year, are managing their public finances better than many existing members, the EU's executive arm recognizes.
In its convergence report the European Commission took Estonia as a model for older members and said that Slovenia could be more ambitious.
Making itself familiar with accounting records, Commission stated: "With a budget on balance, the lowest debt in the EU and low age-related expenditure risks, Estonia can be hailed as an example of good fiscal policy."
Estonian PM: Accession to Euro not connected with country's wealth
Feb 1 - The country's readiness to switch to the euro, said Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, does not depend on the country's relative wealth, but flexibility of its economy and observation of an economic policy supporting the fixed exchange rate.
"Estonia's splendid economic development over the past 14 years in
the currency board framework confirms this conviction. In the last decade Estonia has been among European countries whose wealth has increased the fastest," Ansip said in comment on an opinion story in The Financial Times, which said that Estonia and Lithuania are too poor to adopt the euro. In the monetary union the requirements to the economy are the same as they are in case of the currency board, the Prime Minister said. "So we could say that Estonia is even better prepared to accession to the euro zone, than countries implementing independent fiscal policy and having the habit of actively using the exchange rate lever in their economic policy."
Currency Rates in Kroons
February 05, 2006
British pound - GBP - 23.012
Canadian dollar - CAD - 11.307
Swiss franc - CHF - 10.059
Danish krone - DKK - 2.096
Japanese yen - JPY - 0.109
Latvian lat - LVL - 22.482
Lithuanian lit - LTL - 4.531
Norwegian krone - NOK - 1.950
Russian rouble - RUB - 0.459
Swedish krona - SEK - 1.683
US dollar - USD - 12.963
Euro - EUR - 15.647
CULTURAL NEWS
Massimo Martini Design Award 2006 to Pavel Sidorenko product design student of the Estonian Academy of Arts
Jan 26 - From 19-24 January 2006, in Milan the MACEF Home Show took place, in which framework the Massimo Martini Design Award was presented.
First prize in Design Award, 4000 euros was given to Pavel Sidorenko, the 3rd year product design student of the Estonian Academy of Arts for a totally unique solution to a wall-clock, in which the elastic form of the clock in the course of time is in constant transformation. Small balls set in slow motion inside the changing membrane engender a quiet and soothing sound, replacing the conventional rhythmic ticking with an irregular, but gentle ringing.
Second prize, 2000 euros was earned by Anna-Maria Einla, another 3rd year student of the Estonian Academy of Arts for a platter combining ceramics and silicone and deforming from a plate into a bowl by way of pulling the string.
SPORTS NEWS
Euro 2008 qualifier to bring British soccer stars to Estonia
Jan 27 - The Euro 2008 qualifier will bring to Estonia British soccer stars as the draw in Montreaux, Switzerland, today gave Estonia a place in the same group with England.
Besides England the Estonians will meet with Russia, Croatia, Israel, FYR Macedonia and Andorra in Euro 2008.
The two top-scoring teams will make it to the European Championship finals. "We are relishing the challenge," chief coach of the Estonian team Jelle Goes told the online issue of the daily Postimees. "It's nice to face England. It's a great football nation."
Goes said that before the draw he had hoped to have England in the Estonian group but did not want to avoid anyone in particular.
"Our opponents will not be easy," he said. "But I am satisfied with the draw. The chances to get to the finals are about as high as the previous time."
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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