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Estonian Review: May 2-8, 2005
11.05.2005
TOP NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
CULTURAL NEWS
TOP NEWS
Good Estonian-US relations reconfirmed in Riga
May 07 - Estonia's good relations with the United States were reconfirmed in Riga. Estonian President Arnold Rüütel attended the Baltic-US Presidential Summit in Riga.
"Today's meeting is another confirmation of the strength of our deep and friendly alliance," Rüütel said at the press conference. The good relations were confirmed by US President George W. Bush's opening at the press conference,
and it's such an honor to be standing here with the leaders of three close allies and friends
Ruutel said that Estonia was ready to share its experience to countries aspiring for democracy, freedom and peace. After meeting with US President George W. Bush and his Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues, he added that Estonia was interested in the development of democracy in Russia.
President Bush respected the decisions made by the Presidents the Baltic States with regards to attending the celebrations in Moscow. I recognize that in the West, the end of the second world war meant peace, but in the Baltics, it brought occupation and communist oppression. And the American people will never forget the occupation and communist oppression of the people of the Baltics said President Bush at the press conference.
The US President also noted that this good time for reconciliation. I think this moment -- this moment in history will be -- give everybody a chance to recognize what took place in the past and move on.
Later in his remarks at the Small Guild, US President Bush praised Latvia in dealing with challenges of ethnic diversity and remarked that Latvia was working with this in a uniformly peaceful way. President Bush added that, Minorities here have a responsibility as well -- to be citizens who seek the good of the country in which they live.
Paet: Estonia and Latvia continue negotiations on the financial perspective from a common position
May 06 - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his Latvian colleague Artis Pabriks in Riga. Two topics were under discussion at the meeting - the European Union's financial perspective and Estonia's as well as Latvia's border treaties with Russia.
At the outset of the meeting, the Estonian and Latvian Foreign Ministers acknowledged that bilateral relations are very good. Speaking of the EU's financial perspective, the parties came to the conclusion that Estonia and Latvia's positions are similar, both countries are concerned about the computing methods of the structural aid ceiling. According to Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, when calculating the annual structural aid ceiling adequate economic growth forecast should be taken into consideration, which in the case of the three Baltic States would be higher than that offered by the European Commission. We decided to continue negotiations on the financial perspective from a common position, Paet said after the meeting.
The parties gave each other an overview of issues related to the border treaty to be signed with Russia. Foreign Minister Paet voiced hope that the Latvian-Russian border treaty will be signed as soon as possible.
In the afternoon, the Estonian Foreign Minister participated in a Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) conference. Foreign Minister Paet also accompanied President Arnold Rüütel at the meeting of Baltic Presidents with the President of the United States George W. Bush.
Estonia is sending a border guard expert to Georgia
May 05 - The Government, as proposed by the Foreign Ministry, decided to allocate means to the Border Guard Board to send an Estonian Border Guard Expert to Georgia. The expert's tasks will include being an adviser to Heikki Talvitie, the EU special representative for the South Caucasus, analysing as well as distributing information related to the security situation on the Georgian-Russian border to EU institutions and Member States, and as necessary advising the Georgian border guard.
According to Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Georgia is one of Estonia's foreign policy priorities, for that reason the sending of an Estonian expert is very important. "The sending of an expert offers Estonia an opportunity to have an active say in the development of the European Union's policy directed at Georgia," he noted.
The Estonian expert will leave for Tbilisi on 9 May and stay there at least until 1 July of this year. The Government earmarked 311 288 kroons from the Government reserve to the Border Guard Board to covering the mission expenses of sending the expert to Georgia.
The mandate of the Border Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) having operated on the Russian-Georgian border since 1999, terminated on 1 January of this year. Georgia has applied to international organisations to continue the border monitoring mission. Since the continuation or resumption of the OSCE border monitoring mission is not possible, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurbisvili asked the Secretary-General of the Council of the EU Javier Solana for the Member States to take over the border monitoring activities. The European Union's Political and Security Committee decided on 17 March 2005 at the proposal of the EU's Council Secretariat to urgently send additional border guard and police experts to Georgia.
FOREIGN NEWS
Estonia Agrees To Sign The Border Treaties On 18 May
May 04 - The Russian Embassy in Estonia presented an official invitation from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet to sign the border treaties in Moscow on 18May.
According to Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Estonia has accepted the invitation. "Surely this step takes Estonian and Russian bilateral relations further," Paet said. "It is also a landmark in the development of the strategic partnership between the European Union and Russia," he added.
The Sea Border Treaty and Land Border Treaty between Estonia and Russia have been ready for signing since 1999, when the heads of negotiation delegations initialled them. The treaties were first initialled in 1996.
Danish PM says he understands Estonia's feelings about the end of WWII
May 02 - Denmark's visiting Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he understands the Baltic States' feelings concerning the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
"Denmark understands very well the conflicting feelings people in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania experience in connection with this anniversary. For the Baltic States, the end of World War II was not liberation but the beginning of an occupation," Rasmussen said. It would be good if countries could admit to mistakes made in the past, the Danish Premier said.
"This would foster the process of reconciliation. German leaders in their time acknowledged Nazi crimes. Present-day leaders are not to blame for what occurred in the past," Rasmussen said.
His Estonian counterpart, Andrus Ansip, said he would like to hear Russia apologize for the injustice done to the Baltic States sixty years ago.
The Danish Prime Minister considers it important for the European Union to have a common policy vis-a-vis Russia and for all member states to pursue it jointly.
"Shaping the relations between the European Union and Russia is one of the cornerstones of the new Europe. I would like to see concrete steps taken towards co-operation between the EU and Russia," Rasmussen said.
Estonia commemorates blockade victims
May 08 - The Estonian Consul General in St.Petersburg Andre Pung participated in the commemoration ceremony of the blockade victims at the Piskaryov Memorial Cemetery and where he also laid a wreath.
Together with other diplomats residing in St.Petersburg and the representatives of international organisations, Estonian Consul General Andre Pung commemorated those who perished in the blockade. The blockade was one of the most tragic chapters of World War II, which entailed the death of hundreds of thousands of people, including thousands of Estonians, Pung said. As the neighbours of St. Petersburg, we have to commemorate them, he added.
A half a million people, who perished at the blockade, including thousands of Estonians, have been buried in the Piskaryov Cemetery.
In St. Petersburg, there are 28 consulates and 4 representations of international organisations.
Meeting of U.S.-Estonian Consular Working Group
May 05 - Representatives from the Governments of the United States and Estonia gathered in Tallinn for the second meeting of the Consular Working Group. The Group's ongoing activities are a direct result of U.S. President George W. Bush's 24 February announcement of a "Visa Roadmap for Central Europe and the Baltics." The group first met on 31 March, and plans to continue with frequent and regular meetings to discuss consular and visa issues.
The 5 May meeting focused specifically on issues related to Estonia's potential participation in the United States' Visa Waiver Program and on refusal rates for Estonian applicants for U.S. visas. Jaanus Kirikmäe, Director General of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained, Estonian citizens understand how important it is to follow the visa regulations of other countries. It has been very helpful to learn more about the trends involving Estonians' visits to the U.S. and how the Estonian Government can further reduce Estonian violations of American visa law. We know that future Estonian opportunities for visa-free travel depend on how our citizens behave today.
According to U.S. Consul to Estonia Paul Mayer, the American visa workload continues to increase while, at the same time, visa refusal rates for Estonian citizens continue to drop. April was the 9th consecutive month in which our workload was higher than a year ago, and at this point, more than 7 out of 8 Estonian citizens are being issued visas, usually on the same day they are interviewed. The trend continues to be in the right direction and Estonian compliance with U.S. visa law is an important component of President Bush's Visa Roadmap.
The Consular Working Group also discussed Estonian-U.S. co-operation on law enforcement issues, the planned introduction of passports with biometric identifiers, and a proposal for Estonian experts to travel to the U.S. for additional consultation on consular and visa issues. The next Consular Working Group meeting is scheduled for later in the summer.
Estonian and Finnish Defence Ministers give high marks to co-operation
May 03 - Visiting Finnish Defence Minister Seppo Kaariainen and his colleague, Jaak Jõerüüt, found the co-operation in defence matters as excellent and stable.
The Ministers discussed questions of bilateral co-operation and co-operation in the framework of the European Union at a meeting in the Estonian capital.
After Estonia joined the EU and NATO last spring, the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki became the NATO contact embassy in Finland and the countries are working together as two equal member states in the EU, Jõerüüt observed.
In the future Nordic battle group only Estonia belongs to both NATO and the EU. According to Jõerüüt, this gives the Baltic State a unique position of being able to have its say in the decision-making processes of both organisations.
The Ministers found that the formation of the Nordic battle group has changed the content of defence co-operation. "The fact that both NATO and the EU members participate (in battle groups) signals first and foremost integration in security issues and co-operation between different security organisations," the Finnish Minister said.
It is politically important for Estonia to be among founders rather than later joiners of a battle group, Jõerüüt observed.
Estonian Prime Minister commemorated all who perished in World War II
May 08 - Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip commemorated all the victims and fallen of World War II at a Memorial Event at Maarjamägi in Tallinn.
"The losses of the Estonian people were heavy, but also other peoples paid a high price for the war," Ansip said.
"The war is over and let us forgive in our hearts those who were forced to take part in it and who often had to fight simply in order to remain alive and get back home and live in a time of peace," the Prime Minister said.
Estonian PM focuses on research and development co-operation during visit to Finland
May 03 - Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip was in Finland on his first trip abroad as Prime Minister. He discussed European Union-related topics and Estonian-Finnish relations with his colleague Matti Vanhanen in Helsinki.
The Heads of Government recognised the Wise Men's Report, which prepared two years ago containing proposals for developing bilateral relations.
The Premiers decided to continue implementing the recommendations put forward in the report, putting special emphasis on co-operation in research and education. Both countries are for instance interested in establishing a network of top research centres and co-operation in the field of training and common curricula.
The Prime Ministers of the neighbouring countries exchanged thoughts on the ratification of the EU's Constitutional Treaty and voiced the hope an agreement on the Union's financial perspective can be reached before the end of Luxembourg's Presidency.
Under discussion was also the free movement of labour. "We hope Finland won't consider it necessary to extend the transition period (for opening its labour market) after the end of the first two-year period ending on May 1, 2006," Ansip said.
The Premiers noted that the use of labour lease during the transition period has posed problems for both Finland and Estonia as it complicates getting an overview of the scope of immigration and correct observance of taxation.
Vanhanen said the Finnish Government would soon present to Parliament a report on the impact of labour market restrictions on the basis of which decisions for future action will be made.
The Ministers talked about the Estlink underwater power cable project and the possible opening of a shipping line between Finnish Kotka and Sillamae on the northern coast of Estonia. They also discussed foreign affairs, including the EU's neighbourhood policy.
EU was the only right choice for Estonia - Government
May 02 - Joining the European Union was the only right choice for Estonia, the Government said in an address to the nation on the first anniversary of the accession.
On May 1, 2004, Estonia returned to the Europe from which it had been forcibly separated more than half a century ago, the Government recalled.
"Accession to the EU and NATO was the key foreign policy goal for the newly independent Estonia," the address says. "Today we are certain that the European Union is the only right choice for us. Estonians' continued high support for the EU proves that the expectations tied to entry have been fulfilled."
EU membership has raised the credibility of the Estonian state and opened numerous new opportunities for its citizens, the Government says. Many Estonians have gone to other European countries to work or study, where they are acquiring valuable experience, which they can later use at home.
"Estonia itself has become better known and more attractive to the world," the Government states. "This is witnessed by the increased interest of foreign investors and tourists in our country. Ties with other member states have become significantly closer. Estonia is a worthy member of the united European family."
A primary goal of the EU is to raise people's welfare, the Government observed. "The European Union has also benefited," the Government notes. "The future of Europe depends on the work of each member state and Estonia's contribution for the good of Europe is far from small. Everyone can learn something from Estonia's reform experience. The EU constitution will give Estonia even better opportunities to have its say in European affairs."
Estonia ranked high in global press freedom survey
May 04 - Estonia ranked highest of East European countries in a global press freedom survey.
The annual survey of the New York-based Freedom House evaluated the freedom of the press in 194 countries of the world.
The authors of the survey note that the overall level of the freedom of the press worldwide worsened, continuing a downward trend of several years. The study rated the press free in 75 countries, partly free in 50 countries and not free in 69 countries.
At the top of the scoreboard are the Nordic countries, with Finland, Iceland and Sweden sharing first place with a score of nine. Denmark and Norway scoring 10 points follow.
Estonia, ranked among countries with a free press, was together with Barbados, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Latvia and United States sharing 24th place with a score of 17. Estonia and Latvia also placed the highest of East European countries.
Estonia's Ambassador to the Principality of Andorra presented his credentials
May 05 - The Estonian Ambassador to the Principality of Andorra, Andres Rundu, presented his credentials to the co-Prince Bishop of Seu d'Urgell Joan Enric Vives I Sicilia.
Following the presentation of credentials, the Ambassador and the Bishop spoke of co-operation between smaller countries and about opportunities to promote relations between Estonia and Andorra. In the words of the Andorran co-Prince, he has always looked upon Estonia with sympathy and admired our progress. After the ceremony, Ambassador Rundu also met with the Andorran Foreign Minister Juli Minoves Triquell.
At the meeting, they discussed opportunities for tightening co-operation between Estonia and Andorra under new conditions, as Estonia has become a member of the European Union. The Foreign Minister and the Ambassador also noted that Andorra is an attractive tourist country for Estonians and tourist connections between the two countries should certainly be developed.
Credentials to the Principality of Andorra are presented to two co-Princes. The Ambassador will present his credentials to the other co-ruler, French President Jacques Chirac in September of this year.
Diplomatic relations between Estonia and the Principality of Andorra were established on 11 September 1996. Estonia's Ambassador to Andorra and Spain resides in Madrid.
Thai Ambassador presents credentials in Estonia
May 05 - The Thai Ambassador to Estonia, Apichart Chinwanno, presented his credentials to President Arnold Rüütel.
Chinwanno noted that Estonian-Thai co-operation in tourism has developed at a fast pace in the last five years and said he wants to do his best to promote bilateral co-operation in many fields.
The Thai ambassador resides in Stockholm.
DEFENCE NEWS
Estonia to contribute up to 45 men to EU's Nordic battle grou
May 02 - Estonia will contribute up to 45 soldiers to the Nordic battle group that is to be formed as part of the European Union's rapid reaction forces.
Estonia will send a guard platoon, staff officers, logisticians and medics to the Nordic battle group. The guard platoon will consist of roughly 30 troops. The Government's decision allows for up to 45 soldiers to be sent to the battle group. The Nordic battle group is to be operational by Jan. 1, 2008. Sweden is the lead country of the unit, which includes also Finland and Norway.
Battle groups comprising 1 000-1 500 soldiers each are tactical units of rapid response forces that are supposed to be ready for deployment in crisis areas at a distance of up to 6 000 kilometres from the EU within 10 days of a unanimous decision by member states of the bloc and be able to remain there for up to four months.
Estonian flagship Admiral Pitka to join NATO force
May 03 - The Estonian Navy's flagship Admiral Pitka set sail for the Netherlands to join a mine countermeasures unit of the NATO Response Force (NRF).
The Admiral Pitka has been assigned for 10 months as the command and support ship of the NRF Mine Countermeasures Group 1.
The vessel will serve as the command platform for the international unit, which includes British, Norwegian, Dutch, German and Belgian ships.
"The NATO Response Force is without doubt one of the world's elite units. The invitation for our ship to join it means both recognition and a challenge for the Estonian Navy," acting Navy Chief Lt. Cmdr. Ahti Piirimagi said.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Estonian parliament toughens smoking restrictions
May 04 - The Estonian Riigikogu passed a tobacco law that restricts smoking and a law on ratifying the World Health Organization's convention on tobacco control, which should considerably curb smoking.
The tobacco law, passed with 66 votes for and two abstentions, enacts tougher restrictions on the sale of tobacco products and smoking in public.
After the law takes effect, smoking will be allowed in casinos, restaurants and bars only if they have a separate room for smokers. The law bans smoking at places of work, in pedestrian tunnels and stairwells of apartment blocks.
After joining the WHO convention, Estonia will have to work out a strategy to reduce smoking, resist the business interests of the tobacco industry and develop a network of counselling and treatment for people who quit smoking.
Eesmaa elected as Chair of Riigikogu's Foreign Affairs Committee
May 02 - The Estonian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee elected Enn Eesmaa as its new Chairman; his predecessor, Marko Mihkelson was chosen as Vice-Chairman.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Estonia: consumer price index up 0.4 per cent in April
May 06 - The consumer price index (CPI) climbed 0.4 per cent in April compared to March in Estonia, with the prices of consumer goods and services 4.7 per cent higher than in April 2004, the Statistical Office reported.
The prices of goods were an average of 0.4 per cent higher in April than in March. The hike in grocery prices was 0.1 per cent and in manufactured goods 1.0 per cent. The rise in the prices of services was 0.4 per cent during the month.
In April, the consumer price index was affected by higher motor fuel prices and the arrival of cheap vegetables, the Statistical Office reported.
Currency Rates in Kroons
May 8, 2005
British pound - GBP - 22.919
Canadian dollar - CAD - 9.695
Swiss franc - CHF - 10.112
Danish krone - DKK - 2.102
Japanese yen - JPY - 0.115
Latvian lat - LVL - 22.472
Lithuanian lit - LTL - 4.531
Norwegian krone - NOK - 1.929
Russian rouble - RUB - 0.435
Swedish krona - SEK - 1.702
US dollar - USD - 12.080
Euro - EUR - 15.647
CULTURAL NEWS
Tallinn's town wall miniature in the Mini-Europe Park in Brussels
May 05 - A miniature of the Great Coastal Gate together with Fat Margaret's tower as a section of Tallinn's town wall was opened in the Mini-Europe Park in Brussels. The preparation of the Town Wall miniature has in many ways been helped by Tallinn's Cultural Heritage Department specialists.
Estonian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Malle Talvet said that Mini-Europe is hugely popular among the people as well as visitors. Thus, Estonia's presence in Mini-Europe is relevant. "This miniature here may for a great many people be the first glimpse of Tallinn and they may get interested in Estonia. So, what we have here is an excellent opportunity to introduce Estonia to a wider public," Ambassador Talvet said.
In the framework of the opening , an exhibition has been set up by the Estonian Maritime Museum on the history of Fat Margaret's Tower and the Great Coast Gate in a park building. For three successive days, visitors were able to engage in Estonian folk art. Master craftsmen from the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union were showing their handicrafts as well as instructing those interested in their crafts. The Brussels's Estonian Mixed Choir and folk dancers performed.
Mini-Europe is one of Brussels's tourist magnets and is visited by tens of thousands of tourists annually. All the European Union Member States are represented by their exhibits (miniatures of architecture and nature monuments); currently 70 European cities with more than 350 mini-monuments (Big Ben, Vesuvius, the Eiffel tower etc.). After 1 May last year, the 10 countries having acceded to the European Union were added. Together with the section of Tallinn's town wall a miniature of the Latvian Statue of Liberty was opened.
Terje and Jüri Ojaver's sculpture exhibition was opened at the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki
May 03 - Terje and Jüri Ojaver's sculpture exhibition was opened at the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki. The sculptures are exhibited in the garden and in the gallery of the Embassy. The open-air exhibition being arranged for the first time will remain in place for those walking in Kaivopuisto to admire.
The exhibition "RETROSPECTIVE" is a compilation of works, of which the oldest date back to 1990. Jüri Ojaver's granite and limestone sculptures in the garden are an integral installation and a conceptual work of art. The exhibition reminds one of a strange graveyard - tombstones for passed history, epitaphs to the artist and victory monuments for life and liberty. Terje Ojaver's small bronze sculptures in the gallery belong to the artist's private collection. In addition to small sculptures, the artist has displayed a massive gearwheel made out of iron, earth and moss in the Embassy's garden and also mighty oars chained to the trees as a metaphor for the harshness of life and fate.
Terje and Jüri Ojaver were both born in1955 in Estonia. The artist couple has participated in exhibitions at home, as well as abroad since 1984. Jüri Ojaver has also participated in the Venetian and Kwangju biennials. He has won the grand prix at the Riga Sculpture Quadrennial and at the annual exhibition of the Soros Centre for Contemporary Arts. Among Terje Ojaver's creative achievements, one has to note the architectonic monument to the Estonian poetess Betti Alver in Jõgeva and the monument of the General of the War of Independence Commander-in-Chief Johan Laidoner on horseback erected last year in Viljandi. Both artists are engaged in teaching students: Jüri runs artist projects at the Estonian Academy of Arts, Terje at Tartu's Higher Art School.
The exhibition has been organised by the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki. The Gallery can be visited on working days from 12 to 3 p.m. at the address: 10 Itäinen puistotie, Helsinki
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.
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