|
|
 |
Estonian Review: April 4-10, 2005
13.04.2005
TOP NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
TOP NEWS
US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick met with Foreign Minister Rein Lang and Prime Minister Juhan Parts
Apr 4 - Robert Zoellick, the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America on a visit to Estonia met with Foreign Minister Rein Lang and Prime Minister Juhan Parts.
The Foreign Minister and the Deputy Secretary of State discussed the situation in Iraq. Deputy Secretary of State Zoellick noted that, How long Estonian soldiers will stay in Iraq is up to the Estonian people. He stated that all of the states, including the United States, with soldiers in Iraq would to bring them home quickly. This date is dependant on the development of law and democratic institutions in Iraq. Zoellick thanked Estonia for its contributions in helping rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan. Lang and Zoellick also discussed bilateral relations, NATO and EU related questions and topics related to Russia.
Ideas concerning the possibilities for closer economic co-operation between the two countries were exchanged at the meeting. Other topics discussed were the co-operation of states within international organisations and international relations in general.
According to Prime Minister Parts, support for the democratic reforms in Ukraine and Georgia is one of Estonia's main foreign policy priorities along with the active participation in international organisations. We have a lot in common with regard to our recent past, therefore, we wish to help these countries in carrying out reforms. From our experience, we know how difficult this process can be, said Parts. Deputy Secretary of State Zoellick shared the opinion of the Prime Minister that continuing the democratic reforms in Georgia and Ukraine is essential for the development of the whole of Europe.
While discussing the relations with Russia, Zoellick and Parts agreed that a common approach based on democratic values would have to be taken by both the European Union and the United States. Russia is and will remain our neighbour and, therefore, we wish to have constructive and effective relations with them, Parts said. Also, the topic of developments in Afghanistan and Iraq were discussed at the meeting.
Estonia: NATO should give strong signal to Ukraine
Apr 06 - NATO should give a strong political signal to Ukraine for its integration with the West.
"Estonia has always considered the Euro-Atlantic course of Ukraine very important," the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said. " If Ukraine wishes to belong to the West according to its values, the strategic importance of such a choice is difficult of overestimate, which is why we consider giving a strong political signal to Ukraine at the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Vilnius very important," the Spokesperson said.
She said the NATO allies were discussing right now what kind of signal it should be and in what form it should be given. "But we are confident that we will give a signal to Ukraine in Vilnius that corresponds to our own and Ukraine's readiness and to the moment's needs, as well as gives an impetus for the future," the Spokesperson said.
An informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers will take place in Vilnius on April 21 and 22.
Support for Estonia's membership in the EU remains high
Apr 08 - According to a recent survey 70 per cent of election-age Estonian citizens are in favour of Estonia's membership in the European Union (EU); the support has been stable for the past five months.
The AS Emor poll carried out in March revealed that 70 per cent of the election-age citizens interviewed were in favour and 24 percent against Estonian membership in the EU, with five percent unable to take a stance.
The percentage of support for Estonia's membership in the EU has been stable since last November at 67-70 percent of election-age citizens.
Sixty-two percent of election-age citizens and 58 percent of all respondents had heard at least something about the EU constitutional treaty.
Television and newspapers are still regarded as the main sources of information about the treaty. The role of the radio as a source of information has slightly increased.
Forty-four percent of election-age citizens regard the treaty as useful. There are as many of those who are unable to say whether the treaty is beneficial or harmful for Estonia. Four percent of election-age citizens think the treaty is disadvantageous.
FOREIGN NEWS
Commission praises Estonia's Schengen preparations
Apr 08 - Experts of the European Commission's Schengen Facility programme found that Estonia's preparations for accession to the Schengen agreement were going well.
Anna Despotopoulou and Zaiga Birzniece, members of the expert group of the European Commission's General-Directorate of Justice, Freedom and Security who evaluated management and control systems of the implementation project of the Schengen Facility programme in Estonia, pointed out that the management system was built up well in Estonia and that there was good co-operation between agencies.
The evaluators said that Estonia must be ready for a sharp increase in the amount of work in the next one and a half years, and therefore it was important to stick to the timetable and deadlines.
During the three-day visit, members of the evaluation committee met with Schengen co-ordinators, officials preparing for accession to the Schengen agreement and representatives of the Border Guard Board. The Border Guard is the Estonian agency receiving the most funds from the Schengen Facility.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State commends Estonia for role in Iraq mission
Apr 04 - U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Robert Bradtke, meeting with members of the Estonian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, said he valued highly Estonia's contribution to the multinational mission in Iraq.
Bradtke added that Europeans and Americans must work together to ensure the continuation of democratic processes in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.
He said the death of two Estonian servicemen in Iraq meant a very big sacrifice by the nation, in view of the size of the Estonian contingent there, spokespeople for the Estonian Parliament said.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Marko Mihkelson, said the continuation of Iraq's democratic development was important also for Estonia's security.
The MP underscored that it is necessary to continue the mission and pointed out good co-operation between Estonian and U.S. units. He acknowledged, however, that the parliamentary debate on extending the Estonian mission in Iraq was going to be a complex one.
NATO General visits Estonian Defence forces
Apr 05 - Lt. Gen. Karl-Heinz Lather, Deputy Commander of the Allied Land Component Command Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, visited Estonia to observe the development of the Estonian ground forces and the Scouts Battalion.
General Lather met with the acting Commander of the Estonian Army, Maj. Meelis Kiili, and observed training by the Scouts Battalion at the Estonian Armed Forces Central Training Centre.
At the meeting, matters were discussed pertaining to the Scouts Battalion's control exercise due in November. The capabilities of the battalion's staff to perform NATO-related duties will be checked at the exercise.
Estonian Minister raises the topic of Finno-Ugric peoples living in Russia at meeting with Gil-Robles
Apr 07 - Meeting with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles, Estonia's Population Minister Paul-Eerik Rummo raised the topic of the deteriorating political and cultural situation of the Finno-Ugric peoples living in Russia.
"Signals of the suppression of the rights of these peoples have caused serious concern both among representatives of the Estonian state as well as of the civic society, including the Finno-Ugric communities in Estonia," Rummo said at the meeting in Strasbourg.
Gil-Robles said the topic of Finno-Ugric peoples in Russia was dealt with in his report about the human rights situation in the Russian Federation, which is to be published in the second half of April.
This February about twenty public figures mainly from Estonia and Finland signed a public letter appealing to Russia to stop attacks against opposition in the Republic of Mari El.
The signatories included former Estonian President Lennart Meri, former Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Riitta Uosukainen, former Lithuanian President Vytautas Landsbergis, Ingrid Rüütel, wife of the Estonian President, several members of the European Parliament and members of the Estonian, Finnish and Hungarian Parliaments.
Rummo also met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis. Both Gil-Robles and Davis voiced their satisfaction with the integration and naturalisation processes in Estonia.
Estonia takes part in a meeting of the Gulf Co-operation Council for the first time
Apr 05 - For the first time ever, Estonia in its capacity as a member of the European Union took part in a meeting of EU Ministers and the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, better known as the Gulf Co-operation Council.
The Foreign Ministry's Secretary General Priit Kolbre represented Estonia at the meeting in Manama, Bahrain.
The Ministers adopted a joint statement underscoring the need to continue political, economic and social co-operation between the Gulf States and the EU.
Created on May 25, 1981, the Council, in addition to the EU member states, comprises of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Estonian President sends condolences to Monaco on the passing of Prince Rainier
Apr 06 - Estonian President Arnold Rüütel sent a message of condolences to Prince Albert of Monaco on the passing of his father, Prince Rainier.
"It was with deep sorrow and grief that I learned about the death of Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Our thoughts are with you in these difficult times," the letter by the President reads.
DOMESTIC NEWS
Infant mortality rate down threefold in Estonia in 10 years
Apr 07 - The mortality rate of infants up to 12 months has decreased threefold in Estonia over the past decade and is now on a par with other developed European countries such as Ireland, Britain, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Italy.
The President of the Estonian Children's Physicians Association, Anne Ormisson, said the rates recorded in Estonia looked good compared to the average rates for the whole world.
"There are many infectious diseases that our younger doctors have never seen. In our country children don't die from pneumonia, which is one of the main causes of infant deaths in developing countries," Ormisson said.
In 1992, 15.7 out of every 1 000 children born in Estonia died before the first birthday. By 2002, the number of deaths had dropped to 5.7.
Perinatal mortality or deaths before delivery, during delivery and until the seventh day after delivery, has dropped by 60 per cent since 1992. "This shows that mothers are now healthier during pregnancy and birth giving," said the President of the Estonian Gynecologists Association, Helle Karro.
Also the mortality of premature babies has declined from 1992. The survival rate of premature babies with a birth weight under 1 500 grams is two thirds, and the life quality of such infants has improved.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Consumer prices in Estonia up 0.7 per cent on month in March
Apr 07 - The consumer price index in Estonia rose by 0.7 percent in March compared to February and by 5.0 per cent year-on-year, the Statistical Office reports.
Prices of goods in general increased by 0.4 per cent compared to February, including a rise of 0.1 per cent in food prices and 0.6 per cent in manufactured goods. Services became 1.2 per cent more expensive.
Compared with February, last month's consumer prices were influenced the most by rising prices of electricity, motor fuel and fruit.
The biggest month-on-month growth was recorded in housing expenses -- 2.4 per cent. Transport became 1.7 per cent more expensive. The cost of communications, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, recreation, and hospitality services came down.
Currency Rates in Kroons
April 10, 2005
British pound - GBP - 22.794
Canadian dollar - CAD - 9.971
Swiss franc - CHF - 10.094
Danish krone - DKK - 2.100
Japanese yen - JPY - 0.112
Latvian lat - LVL - 22.470
Lithuanian lit - LTL - 4.532
Norwegian krone - NOK - 1.914
Russian rouble - RUB - 0.438
Swedish krona - SEK - 1.708
US dollar - USD - 12.199
Euro - EUR - 15.647
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
 
|
|
