Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 18 NO 40 OCT 15-21, 2008 FOREIGN NEWS QUOTATION OF THE WEEK European Council: Thorough Analysis of EU-Russia Relations to be Completed by Beginning of “We know already from the times of November the Silk Road... that mutually useful co- operation is only possible when we 16 October - The foreign policy leaders of the European honour one another’s traditions. [But] Union discussed the situation in Georgia and further this does not mean making developments in EU-Russia relations within the compromises at the expense of human framework of the European Council. The European Council rights and freedoms.” acknowledged that Russian forces have partially withdrawn from the zones around South Ossetia and Abkhazia in accordance with the agreements of 12 August and 8 September, and also Urmas Paet, speaking at an international declared that it’s one step taken by Russia towards fulfilling conference in Astana, Kazakhstan international responsibilities. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that currently Russia has FOREIGN NEWS only met one small part of its obligation by partially removing its troops from the areas around South Ossetia and Abkhazia. “The region of Akhalgori, which has not been a conflict region, and Kodor Valley are still occupied by Russian forces,” said Foreign Minister Paet. “We can’t say anything regarding the complete removal of Russian troops and the fulfilment of the cease-fire agreement,” Paet emphasised. In relation to the European Union-Russia summit being held in November, the Council is calling upon both the Council of Europe and the European Commission to continue their in-depth analysis of relations between the European Union and Russia, which will be used to consider the possible continuation of negotiations for the EU-Russia framework agreement. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet confirmed that the European Council condemned Russia’s decision to recognise the Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Evelin independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on 1 September, Ilves and President Toomas Hendrik while it supports the implementation of the cease-fire agreement Ilves in Buckingham Palace, 17 October of 12 August. “Talks about the partnership agreement between the European Union and Russia, which are frozen in accordance President Ilves Met with Queen with an extraordinary Council decision until Russian forces return Elizabeth II to their pre-7 August positions, cannot resume yet,” said Paet. “It’s necessary to wait for the audit of European Union and 17 October - President Toomas Hendrik Russian relations, which should be ready by the November Ilves and Evelin Ilves met with Her meeting of European Union foreign ministers,” stated Foreign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Minister Paet. Buckingham Palace in London. At the In its conclusions, the Council reaffirmed the need to meeting, the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to strengthen the European Neighbourhood Policy’s Eastern Estonia in October of 2006 was recalled and Dimension, calling for stronger relations with Ukraine, Moldova, the long-term close ties between the United and Georgia. Urmas Paet stated that the European Kingdom and Estonia in the fields of Neighbourhood Policy is a values-based policy that is an economics and culture as well as defence co- important course for our partners implementing reforms. operation were emphasised. The Council endorsed the composition of the European Union "Estonia has excellent allied and Reflection Group that will begin working in January of next year, partnership relations with Great Britain in the in accordance with the 2007 decision of Council, with the goal of European Union and NATO," President Ilves analysing the challenges standing before the European Union in said. "Together with British forces, we are the years 2020-2030. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet believes it is participating in the global peace process in essential for the so-called ‘group of wise men’ to consider Afghanistan and Iraq, and the United probable developments within Europe and outside of Europe, Kingdom has made an invaluable analysing first and foremost how to ensure the stability and contribution to the development of our development of both the Union and the wider region in the long Defence Forces." run. President Ilves was in the United Kingdom Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen gave the Council an initial to open a business seminar in Wales and overview of developments since the failure of the Lisbon Treaty meet with the presiding officer of the referendum in Ireland in June of this year. National Assembly and the first minister. FOREIGN NEWS economic co-operation with Kazakhstan. “I see information technology and transit to and from Baltic and Nordic PMs Discuss Energy Estonian harbours as primary areas of economic co- with Barroso operation,” said Paet. “There are very good 15 October - The heads of government from the opportunities for Kazakhstani goods in Estonian Baltic states, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and harbours as well,” he said. Poland and the president of the European Kazakhstani President Nazarbajev said that Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, had a Estonian entrepreneurs are very welcome in meeting in Brussels to talk about the Baltic Sea Kazakhstan, and that Kazakhstan would like to region's energy issues and in particular develop multi-faceted economic co-operation, building new power links with other European including in the transit sector. Union countries. Paet stated that Kazakhstan’s OSCE presidency in "The key issue was how to bring countries on the 2010 will give the nation significant responsibilities eastern shore of the Baltic Sea out of energy and opportunities to shape international isolation," said the head of the Estonian development. It is also recognition of Kazakhstan’s government, Andrus Ansip. reforms up to this point. Both Nazarbayev and Paet Ansip said the initiative for the meeting came agreed that it is essential to intensify Estonia- from Barroso, as the EU executive headed by him Kazakhstan political relations as well. has listened to the Baltic states' concern and started Nazarbayev and Paet also discussed European taking action to break the isolation of the Baltic energy supplies. “Both sides are interested in the energy systems from the rest of Europe. creation of the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline and a The Commission has suggested a plan of action crude oil pipeline connecting the Caspian and Baltic according to which a commission of specialists will regions,” said Paet. Paet stated that alternative be formed to work out by 2010 detailed plans for energy sources are needed by both Kazakhstan as changing the present situation by building new an exporter and European nations as importers. electricity and natural gas links. Economic matters were also the primary topic in The European Commission has already drawn up Paet’s meeting with Kazakhstani Prime Minister a Baltic energy links plan, the Baltic Investment Karim Massimov. Paet stated that both nations feel Programme (BIP), which covers a second interest towards direct co-operation among underwater power cable connecting Estonia and entrepreneurs. “A good example of co-operation Finland as well as a Polish-Lithuanian electricity between Estonian and Kazakhstani entrepreneurs is bridge and Sweden's electricity links with Latvia and the existent and functioning joint postal company Lithuania. Under consideration as well is a gas Elektronpost.kz. Kazakhstan is also interested in pipeline from Denmark to Poland, through which Estonia’s experiences in structuring an e- Nordic gas could be supplied to the Baltic region. government,” said Urmas Paet following the Financing for the new projects can be obtained meeting. “At the same time, both Estonia and from both EU coffers and the European Investment Kazakhstan are concerned about Russia’s increased Bank. railroad tariffs towards the Baltic States,” Paet Lithuania's concern about the obligation to close noted, adding that in order to further develop the Ignalina nuclear power plant by the end of next economic co-operation, Estonia and its Chamber of year at the latest was also under discussion, Ansip Commerce and Industry would like to organise a added. "The question here is about finding a legal business seminar next year in Almaty. solution rather than political support," Ansip said. In In the meeting with his Kazakhstani colleague his words, there are several countries in the EU Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin, Foreign Minister Paet which definitely will not agree to altering Lithuania's also discussed the nations’ contributions to the accession agreement, and therefore some other building up of Afghanistan. “Both Estonia and solution must be found. Kazakhstan are participants in reconstructing Lithuania's commitment to decommission the Afghanistan. Like us, Kazakhstan sees a significant Ignalina power plant by the end of 2009 at the latest problem in the narcotics trade originating in is included in the country's EU accession agreement. Afghanistan,” Paet stated. "The EU is based on law and Lithuania must honour Another topic broached by Paet with his the agreement," Ansip said, admitting that a legal Kazakhstani colleague was the requirement for solution acceptable to Lithuania has not yet been travellers, including Estonian citizens, to register found. themselves within five days of arriving in The Lithuanian government is feverishly trying to Kazakhstan. “Hopefully Kazakhstan is ready to find a way to extend the lifespan of Ignalina and has change the registration requirement for Estonian vowed to raise the issue at this week’s European citizens,” Paet said at the meeting. Council. Paet: Compromises Cannot be Made at Estonia Interested in Intensifying the Expense of Human Rights Economic Co-operation with Kazakhstan 17 October - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet gave a 18 October - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, in speech about overcoming cultural differences Kazakhstan on a visit, met with Kazakhstani and conflicts in the world during an President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime international conference in Astana, the capital Minister Karim Massimov, and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.