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Estonian Review: May 9-15, 2005
18.05.2005
TOP NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
CULTURAL NEWS
TOP NEWS
European Parliament passes resolution on end of World War II
May 12 - The European Parliament has passed a resolution on the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945. The resolution commemorated and mourned all the victims of Nazi tyranny, commemorated and mourned the loss of all the victims of the war on all sides as a common European tragedy, while remembering that for some nations the end of World War II meant renewed tyranny inflicted by the Stalinist Soviet Union.
The resolution collected 463 votes in favour with 49 against and 33 members of the European Parliament abstaining.
The resolution "welcomes the fact that the Central and Eastern European States and peoples can now also enjoy freedom and the right to decide about their destiny after so many decades under Soviet domination or occupation or other communist dictatorships."
Estonia's Tunne Kelam, a Member of the European Parliament, said, taking the floor after the voting, that passing of the resolution was an important step in the truthful assessment and understanding of Europe's common history.
Deputy Chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs committee Toomas Hendrik Ilves said that strenuous preparations in which very different treatments of history clashed preceded the adoption of the final version of the document.
He said the aim of the resolution was not a political settling of accounts, but drawing of attention to and acknowledgement of Eastern Europe's suffering. An understanding of what the end of World War II brought for Eastern Europe is only taking shape in Western Europe," Ilves added. "The final results quite well reflect a pan-European assessment of World War II," Ilves said.
Baltic States in UN: end of WWII meant change of dictatorship
May 10 - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania made a common statement in the United Nations, underlining that for part of Europe the end of World War II meant the replacement of one dictatorship by another.
Lithuanian Ambassador to the United Nations Gediminas Serksnys made the statement in the name of the three Baltic countries.
Sixty years passes this year since the official end of World War II in Europe, the three Baltic States said in their joint statement that remembers the millions who perished in their towns and villages or on the battlefields, those who lost their lives in the death camps and gulags. It also remembers with gratitude those who fought against dictatorship, oppression, racism and aggression.
The statement underlines that the marking of the official end of World War Two should also refer to the legacy of this war and reveal the historically fair truth.
"The end of World War II did mean the end to one totalitarian ideology -- fascism, but another --totalitarian communism, expanded its sphere of influence," the statement said.
For the three Baltic countries the end of World War II brought a new occupation and re-annexation, and therefore struggle in the name of freedom and justice continued in those countries. "Remembering those killed in World War II, we must not forget the crimes against humanity committed by both the totalitarian regimes," the statement went on to say.
The three Baltic countries find that reconciliation based on historical truth and frank and honest admission of the atrocities and consequences of World War II would be the best proof that the lesson of the war had been learnt.
In their joint address the three Baltic countries expressed support to the statement the European Union made on the occasion of the end of World War Two.
Estonia allocates 400 000 kroons of humanitarian aid to Sudan
May 9 - In connection with the continuation of the humanitarian disaster in Sudan, Estonia has decided to allocate 400 000 kroons of humanitarian aid for the rendering of assistance to the refugees of the Darfur region. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet signed the directive, pursuant to which the sum is to be allocated from the means earmarked for development and humanitarian aid in the Foreign Ministry's budget.
The money will be allocated to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who will distribute the aid to those in need. The UNHCR aid for refugees and displaced people includes aid for satisfying the primary needs of people - food aid, drinking water, transport and logistics, household appliances, shelter and creating sanitary conditions. Estonia has in the form of voluntary contributions supported the activities of the UNCHR since 2000.
This is the second donation of humanitarian aid to Darfur - in June 2004, Estonia donated 500 000 kroons to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for the same purpose. This year in addition to the refugees from the Sudanese Darfur region, the Foreign Ministry has allocated 500 000 kroons to South and South East Asian countries for the rendering of assistance to the victims of the Tsunami. In 2004, Estonia allocated 400 000 kroons for the victims of the Iran earthquake and 1 million kroons to Iraq as humanitarian aid in 2003. In 2002, Estonia donated 1 million kroons help Afghanistan refugees and 1 million kroons to Čechy to help liquidate the consequences of flooding. In 2001, Estonia allocated 700 000 kroons to Poland to help liquidate the consequences of flooding and 1.4 million kroons to India for rendering assistance to the victims of the earthquake.
More detailed information on Estonian development and humanitarian aid projects can be found at: http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_178/3463.html
FOREIGN NEWS
Paet: It is time for Estonia and Sweden to take relations to a new level
May 12 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, on an official one-day visit to Stockholm, met with his counterpart Laila Freivalds.
At the meeting, Estonian-Swedish co-operation particularly within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy was on the agenda, but also in a wider context. Also discussed were matters related to European Union enlargement and foreign policy as well as the European Defence and Security Policy.
The parties recognised that Estonian-Swedish bilateral relations are bright. Our relations with Sweden have grown out of the bilateral frame and it is now time to build relations on a new level, to deepen relations within the European Union and in solving other international problems, said Paet. In the view of Sweden's Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds, development co-operation is an area where the opportunities to work together are the best. Regarding development co-operation, we can combine Estonia and Sweden's experiences and competences, which will add greater value, Freivalds remarked.
Foreign Minister Paet recognised that joint efforts with Sweden are bearing fruit. A good example is the Estonian School of Diplomacy scholarship programme for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, said Paet. Estonia will provide Moldova and Georgia with one scholarship each and Sweden will provide Ukraine with five scholarships for the academic year 2005/2006. Other projects include co-operation between the Swedish and Estonian Rescue Boards in making the Civil Defence system in Armenia more efficient, and a joint training project for Georgian prison guards run by the Swedish Prisons and Probation Administration, the Estonian Ministry of Justice and the Public Service Academy. The Estonian and Swedish Foreign Ministers decided to search for means to increase the number of trilateral projects.
The two Foreign Ministers further exchanged thoughts on the situation in Belarus and discussed the outcomes of the EU-Russian summit meeting. The parties noted that there was reason to be satisfied with the results of the summit.
Foreign Minister Paet honours Estonian boy, who won the Swedish School Kids Chess Championship.
May 12 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet on his one-day official visit to Stockholm met with Deputy Prime Minister Bosse Ringholm, Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Björn von Sydow and other Members of Parliament.
Deputy Prime Minister Bosse Ringholm gave an overview of the new Swedish European Union affairs co-ordination system, which has been created as a result of recent structural reform. As of 1 January 2005, Ringholm also fulfils the duties of the Minister for Co-operation on EU Affairs.
The Estonian Foreign Minister and the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister also discussed the course of the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty. Deputy Prime Minister Ringholm confirmed that the Swedish Parliament will ratify the Constitutional Treaty and that the majority of the Parliament parties are in favour of approving the Treaty. Currently there is no intention of organising a referendum in this issue, he added. In Sweden, predominantly parties engage in the presentation of the Constitutional Treaty and organising information campaigns.
At the meeting with Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Björn von Sydow, the main topic of conversation was Nordic-Baltic co-operation (NB8). Björn von Sydow highlighted the speech delivered by Foreign Minister Paet at the 5th Joint Session of the Baltic Assembly and the Nordic Council in Pärnu, saying that Sweden supports the positions set out regarding further co-operation in the NB8. In his speech, Paet underlined, Over-institutionalised permanent structures are, considering the dynamism of today's world, awkward and not easily adaptable, whereas flexible and networked organisations are remarkably more efficient. According to the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Sweden is also convinced that rigid structures do not allow efficient work, but multinational topic based forms of co-operation are effective.
Minister Paet gave a speech before diplomats, political scientists and journalists about Estonia's first year in the European Union.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet presented a book with a dedication and big chocolate to the first place winner of the Swedish School Kids Chess Championship 9 year old Robert Aun.
Estonian foods were presented in Brussels
May 11 - Estonian foods were presented to local dealers at the Estonian Embassy in Belgium. The representatives of the largest wholesale organisations in Brussels had an opportunity to taste the fish, meat and dairy products of ten Estonian enterprises, as well as honey and alcoholic beverages.
Estonian Ambassador Malle Talvet said in her opening remarks that Belgium is known as a country with rich culinary traditions and at the same time open to international influences. "We hope that the first presentation of Estonian foods in Belgium is a step taken towards their reaching the market here," she said.
According to the Head of the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce Representation in Brussels Ene Kärner, the undertaking was a success. "As a new member of the European Union, here we have a opportune moment to introduce our products. We can offer a good variety to the market and consumers here," Kärner said. "No events of this kind have been arranged at the Embassies before. We extend our thanks to the Estonian Embassy in Belgium for the enterprising spirit and enthusiasm," she added.
The representatives of A.Le Coq Tartu Õlletehase AS, Sireli Mesinduse OÜ, Maag AS, Liviko AS, Piimaühistu E-Piim, Onistar AS, Valtu Vein AS, Freshrex Group OÜ, Linnu Talu OÜ ning Vettel OÜ were present. The presentation of products was organised by the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce and Enterprise Estonia in co-operation with the Embassy.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Estonian Parliament enacts e-voting in local elections
May 12 - The Estonian Parliament passed a much debated act that allows for electronic voting in local elections. The bill, initiated by the constitutional committee, collected 56 votes in favour and 32 against.
The central electoral committee, which worked out the system, tested e-voting in a Tallinn referendum over the location of the Freedom Monument. The system worked smoothly during the testing and the auditors found not faults in it. The committee has said that e-voting can be used in the local elections on October 16 and in other elections later. Electronic voting will take place from the electoral committee website and only ID card owners can vote electronically.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Estonia rises two notches to place 26th in world competitiveness rankings
May 12 - Estonia has improved its ranking by two positions from last year to stand in 26th place in the latest scoreboard of the World Competitiveness Yearbook published by the Lausanne based International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
The top three in the scoreboard are the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore. Finland, also up two notches, is in 6th place.
Ranked lower than Estonia are France, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The survey doesn't cover Latvia and Lithuania.
Estonia was ranked 18th in the scoreboard of countries with a population of less than 20 million, coming ahead of Greece, Portugal, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Estonia occupies a remarkable third place among countries with a per capita GDP of less than 10 000 dollars. In that table Estonia leaves behind Malaysia, Hungary, India, Brazil and Turkey, to name a few.
Estonia's strong sides according to the survey are a solid increase in foreign direct investment, increase in the employment of women, size of management payroll, the government's low debt and effectively 100 per cent literacy of residents aged 15 and above.
Its weaknesses are the small size of per capita GDP, shortage of skilled labour, low priority given by the government to social problems and low level of export of goods.
Estonian firms to be showcased in Latvian capital
May 10 - The Enterprise Estonia foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Estonian Embassy will stage Estonian Days in the Latvian capital Riga on May 20-21 with a presentation of tourist companies, sale of Estonian products and a business seminar.
In the framework of the event "Estonian Days in Riga", a two-day fair, presentation of travel agencies and tour operators and a cultural programme will take place in the square in front of Riga's Dome Church.
Latvian entrepreneurs, business associations, Economic Affairs Diplomats and Ambassadors are expected to attend the business seminar at the Riga City Government on May 20.
The seminar will be opened by Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Enterprise Estonia will speak about the Estonian economic environment and investment climate, and firms already actively operating on the Estonian and Latvian markets will talk about their experiences in both markets.
Currency Rates in Kroons
May 15, 2005
British pound - GBP - 22.967
Canadian dollar - CAD - 9.874
Swiss franc - CHF - 10.136
Danish krone - DKK - 2.102
Japanese yen - JPY - 0.115
Latvian lat - LVL - 22.481
Lithuanian lit - LTL - 4.531
Norwegian krone - NOK - 1.933
Russian rouble - RUB - 0.442
Swedish krona - SEK - 1.700
US dollar - USD - 12.358
Euro - EUR - 15.647
CULTURAL NEWS
Arvo Iho's photo exhibition was opened in Copenhagen
May 12 - Arvo Iho's photo exhibition "Maritime Estonia" was opened at the Estonian Embassy in Copenhagen. The exhibition consists of photos, which have mostly been taken on the northern coast of Estonia, where the author visited several coastal villages and met with the local people.
Filmmaker and photographer Arvo Iho's exhibition presents Estonia as a country inseparably connected to the sea. Views of nature, as well as works depicting the life of coastal people, old boats on stone fences, fishermen on their way to the sea, ships coming in the harbour are exhibited.
The exhibition has been a major success in Hungary, Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic. The exhibition in Copenhagen was opened by Estonian Ambassador to Denmark Taavi Toom. The exhibition was arranged in co-operation with the Estonian Institute. The exhibition will be on display in the Embassy until the autumn.
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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