Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 20 NO 39 NOV 5 - 11, 2010

FOREIGN NEWS FOREIGN NEWS Supporting Georgia’s Territorial Integrity is Fundamentally Important 10 November - During his meeting today with Georgian Foreign Ministry Gregory Vashadze, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Both European Union and NATO member states must clearly observe Georgia’s territorial integrity and give practical weight to the non-recognition policy of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on a daily basis,” stated Foreign Minister Paet. “The strong and visible presence of the European Union in Georgia is also necessary,” stated Paet. “Therefore the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia is currently Foreign Minister Paet with Canadian Foreign Minister irreplaceable for preventing new conflicts; the Lawrence Cannon, 5 November. mission should also have access to the regions Canadian Foreign and Defence Ministers Say of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” he added. Estonia is Valued Ally in Ensuring Security In talking about Georgia’s integration with NATO and the EU, Foreign Minister Paet noted 5 November - At their meetings with Foreign Minister that it is important for Georgia to continue its Urmas Paet, Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon domestic and economic reforms. “Developing and Defence Minister Peter MacKay recognised Estonia’s economic relations between the EU and important and visible contribution to building up Georgia is a part of the broader integration Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Paet said that both Estonian and with the Union. Beginning negotiations for a Canadian soldiers work to stabilise the security situation in comprehensive free trade agreement is also a southern Afghanistan. Paet gave Cannon an overview of step towards EU integration. We have offered Estonia’s civil contribution to developing the health care system Georgia help in preparing for negotiations and in Helmand Province. “In its civil aid, Estonia focuses first and implementing reforms,” stated Foreign foremost on health care, improving the situation of women and Minister Paet. “We also support visa children, and establishing good administrative practices,” he facilitation coming into effect for citizens of added. Defence Minister McKay stated that Estonia’s soldiers Georgia travelling to the European Union,” he are highly valued allies in ensuring security in Afghanistan’s added. Helmand Province. Paet confirmed to Vashadze that Georgia Foreign Minister Paet invited Canada to participate in the will remain one of Estonia’s development co- Eastern Partnership Training Centre that will be established in operation priority countries in Estonia’s new . “The training centre will focus on increasing development co-operation action plan for administrative capacity in the public sector of Eastern 2011-2015. Paet proposed to his colleague to Partnership states and on sharing reform experiences. The hold bilateral development co-operation participation of Canada and all of our international partners is related consultations at the beginning of 2011. welcome,” he stated. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet also Paet asserted that Estonia-Canada co-operation has been recommended that Georgia use the successful in the development aid sector as well. “In co- opportunities offered within the framework of operation with Canada we have shared economic policy EU Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern experiences with Ukrainian state officials and helped to alleviate Partnership to their fullest extent. the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti,” said Paet. While discussing bilateral relations, Paet Paet noted that Estonia would like to intensify relations with and Vashadze agreed that in order to intensify Canada by expanding its network of honorary consuls. “Estonia Estonia-Georgia economic relations, the legal just opened an honorary consulate in Halifax, and starting base must be further developed. “We are today a new honorary consul will begin working in Quebec,” he interested in an agreement for the protection stated. of investments and a social security Paet and Cannon also discussed developments in the Arctic. agreement coming into force as soon as Continued on page 2 possible,” Paet asserted.

Canadian Ministers long time already extended beyond military activity. “Afghanistan is Estonia’s bilateral development co- (continued from page 1) operation priority partner, and therefore our Paet said that Estonia would like for the role of the development aid and our efforts to stabilise the European Union in Arctic issues to increase and that security situation are focused on Helmand Province. the EU should gain observer status in the Arctic We wish to contribute to the health care and Council. “Because the Arctic is so vulnerable, all of education sectors,” stated the foreign minister, us co-operating is inevitable and would be beneficial confirming that Estonia will continue to co-ordinate for the environmental, economic and security health care matters in the UK-led Provincial sectors,” said Paet. Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah. Paet At his meeting with Canadian Minister of Defence said that Estonia would like for aid co-operation to Peter McKay, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that develop into co-operation between the societies as Canada is welcome to participate in the work of the soon as possible. NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Estonia. Governor Mangal said that Helmand Province has “Cyber crime does not recognise borders, which is clearly progressed in its development during the why international co-operation is extremely past few years, although the situation remains important for ensuring cyber security,” Paet complicated. Remarkable progress has been made in emphasised. Helmand during the past two years in both the Paet and McKay also addressed co-operation in security situation as well as in health care and NATO, including NATO’s new Strategic Concept, education. matters related to the Afghanistan mission, and Paet emphasised that one factor that is Estonia-Canada bilateral defence co-operation. necessary for developing Afghanistan’s society is the Canada was the first NATO member state to ratify efforts of the Afghan government to integrate the Estonia’s NATO accession protocol. nation and support domestic reconciliation. “In the

reconciliation of society, it is important that reforms Georgian Foreign Minister Invites in the name of integration cannot take place at the Estonian Speaker to Visit Georgian expense of human rights, especially those of Parliament women,” stressed the Estonian foreign minister. At their meeting, Paet and Mangal also discussed 11 November (BNS) - The foreign minister of Afghanistan’s parliamentary election that took place Georgia, Gregory Vashadze, delivered an in the fall and prerequisites for transferring invitation to Speaker of the Estonian responsibility for the security situation in different Parliament Ene Ergma from Georgian regions of Afghanistan. “Afghan President Karzai has Parliamentary Speaker David Bakradze to visit said that the Afghan security forces will be ready to Georgia. take on security responsibilities as of 2014. The fact During their meeting in Tallinn, Ergma gave the that the elections went fairly smoothly in Helmand Georgian foreign minister an overview of the role of Province shows that the Afghan army and police are the Estonian parliament in handling of the state constantly developing the capability to keep the budget and of the austerity policy during the peace in Afghanistan,” said Paet. “From Estonia’s economically difficult times. Ergma and Vashadze perspective, the most recent developments seem to also spoke about the tasks and the role of the suggest that in some regions of Afghanistan the opposition in the parliaments of the two countries as transfer may gradually begin,” Paet noted. well as on the local level, spokespeople for the Governor of Helmand Province Mangal will meet Estonian parliament said. this week with members of Riigikogu and In the words of Vashadze, the problem of the representatives of the foreign and defence Georgian opposition is its fragmentation, as people ministries. He will also participate in the do not gather on the basis of ideology but of international conference “Women, Peace and persons. At the same time, in the local elections for Security—the Afghan View” taking place in Tallinn the first time the focus lay on important topics such from 11-12 November. as social issues and the economy, peaceful transfer of power took pace and international organisations considered the elections democratic. Estonia knows from its own experience how important support from other countries is on the path of democratic reform, Ergma said, adding that Estonia supports Georgia in every way and contributes to increasing the visibility of the EU there.

All Forms of Co-operation Between Estonia and Afghanistan to Intensify 9 November - Bilateral relations between Estonia and Afghanistan are becoming closer and more diverse all the time, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet acknowledged today during his Foreign Minister Urmas Paet with Governor of meeting with Governor of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province Gulab Mangal, 9 November. Helmand Province Gulab Mangal. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that co- operation between Estonia and Afghanistan has for a President Stresses Importance of Via prevalent in the region and restoring trust and Baltica in Meeting with Latvian PM understanding among people,” said Paet. “Peace and stability in Central Asia are key issues in the further 5 November (BNS) – Latvian Prime Minister development of the region. Potential new conflicts Valdis Dombrovskis visited Estonia and met are a threat to the entire region and have a negative with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and influence on the entire region, including President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Afghanistan,” confirmed the Estonian foreign Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Latvian minister. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis discussed their Foreign Minister Paet also expressed hope that support for the creation of a crisis management the nations involved would fully co-operate with the mechanism in the EU and are ready to join it, Ansip commission and guarantee the members of the said. "If it is necessary to change one sentence in commission access to the necessary information. the basic treaty for progress then Estonia is The goal of the unbiased investigation commission prepared to go for it," he said. created on the initiative of the Nordic countries is to Dombrovskis noted that the visit to Estonia is his study the causes of the conflict, draw conclusions first foreign trip as head of the new government. He and make recommendations for alleviating tensions congratulated Estonia on the changeover to the and preventing future conflicts. Currently the single euro currency, adding that Latvia endeavours members of the commission have already begun to fulfil the Maastricht criteria by 2012 and adopt the working and gone on-site to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, euro in 2014. Kazakhstan and . The investigation Both prime ministers noted that opportunities for commission will present its report at the end of bilateral co-operation will come under discussion at January 2011. The investigation committee has a special conference in the Latvian capital Riga on seven members from Estonia, Finland, Australia, 10 December. Turkey, , Russia, and Great Britain. Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said in In June of 2010 a violent conflict erupted in the his meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Dombrovskis southern part of Kyrgyzstan, during the course of that he hopes that both the Rail Baltica and the Via which at least 350 people died, according to official Baltica project remain a priority for Latvia's new data. At least 300 000 people were forced to flee government. Ilves stated that both transport their homes, and over 100 000 people, most of projects, the railway link and the road link, are for them of Uzbek descent, fled to Uzbekistan, and Estonia among the most important aspects of Baltic many also to Kazakhstan and Russia. co-operation next year, the president's office said. "We want to start close co-operation to launch Estonia Chosen as Member of UN Women passenger train traffic on the existing railway route Tallinn-Riga-Kaunas-Warsaw," Ilves said. "This Executive Board requires a political agreement between Estonia, 11 November - On 10 November the UN Latvia, Lithuania, and the European Economic and Security Council chose Estonia Commission that all parties are ready to start as a member of the Executive Board of the drawing up the economic and technical conditions, newly created UN Entity for Gender Equality or the so-called Rail Baltica Action Plan." and the Empowerment of Women (UN In the president's words, the fact that the prime Women). minister's first foreign trip during his new term was The new UN agency, which was created on 2 to Estonia demonstrates better than a thousand July, will address women’s rights and equality issues words the close communication and stable relations all over the world and implement concrete and between the two countries. focused programmes for improving the situation of Ilves and Dombrovskis hailed the completion of women in developing countries. The creation of the NATO's new strategy concept and underlined that agency was preceded by six months of intense the strength and the credibility of the alliance negotiations among the UN member states led by depend on each member state's contribution to the ambassadors of Estonia and Tunisia in order to collective defence. achieve an agreement on bringing together all of the UN sub-organisations addressing the rights of Estonia Supports Work of International women under one agency. The agency UN Women, Commission Investigating Conflict in created under the leadership of Estonia and Tunisia, will be led by former president of Chile Michelle Kyrgyzstan Bachelet. 8 November - The Foreign Ministry is supporting The Executive Board is the governing body of the the work of the unbiased international UN Women agency, which supports the agency on commission investigating the violent conflict behalf of the member states and monitors the that erupted in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan agency’s activities. Estonia was chosen largely in June of 2010 with 7 000 euros. In addition to thanks to its visible past contributions to promoting its financial contribution, Estonia also has one expert women’s rights in the work of the UN. Estonia’s working on the commission – President of Tallinn membership status in the Executive Board of the UN University’s Academy of Law Rein Müllerson. Entity for Gender Equality (UN Women) will last until Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the the end of 2012. From 2007-2009 Estonia was the international community has repeatedly emphasised chairman of the Consultative Committee of the UN the necessity of clarifying the reasons behind the Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which is Kyrgyzstan conflict and opportunities for avoiding now a part of UN Women. similar incidents in the future. “Estonia supports the There are a total of 41 UN member states on the work of the unbiased international investigation executive board of UN Women, through which all the commission, which was created on the initiative of regions in the world are represented. the Nordic countries. Investigating the events in June is necessary for lessening the tensions that are

3 told Her Majesty about Estonia’s transition process Estonia, Finland Back Punishments for to the euro. Violators of EU Stability Rules The Queen also recalled her encounters with Estonians that were living in exile in the 1950s. 9 November (BNS) - Estonian Prime Minister Ambassador Aino Lepik von Wirén was born in Andrus Ansip and his Finnish counterpart Mari 1961 in . She graduated from the faculty Kiviniemi, in their meeting in the Finnish of law at Stockholm University in 1987 and has also capital Helsinki, expressed support for studied at the University of Surrey in England. Aino imposing punishments for violations of the Lepik von Wirén has done diplomatic work since European Union's financial stability rules that 1994, when she began working in the Foreign would be applied automatically. Ansip said in his Ministry’s legal department as the head of the remarks to BNS that on the level of the European human rights division. From 1994-1999 Aino Lepik Union the views of Estonia and Finland were von Wirén was also Estonia’s representative to the completely similar. European Commission Against Racism and "We are both interested in creating a permanent Intolerance (ECRI), and from 1997-1999 she was crisis management system on the level of the EU, the director general of the legal department. and both Finland and Estonia are countries that Following that, Aino Lepik von Wirén was the respect a conservative fiscal policy and adhere to Estonian ambassador to Portugal from 2003-2006 the same principles. We want for the EU member and the Estonian ambassador to Israel from 2007- states to meet the criteria of the stability and 2010. Before assuming her current position, Aino growth pact," he said. Lepik von Wirén served as the Foreign Ministry’s Ansip and Kiviniemi stated that bilateral relations undersecretary for legal and consular affairs. between Estonia and Finland and their co-operation Lepik von Wirén speaks Swedish, English and in the EU have developed well and the state of French. Aino Lepik von Wirén is married with one political and economic relations between the son and one daughter. countries is good. As the Estonian premier pointed out, a quarter of the direct foreign investments made in Estonia have been made by Finnish companies, Finland is Estonia's largest trade DOMESTIC NEWS partner, and 19% of Estonia's exports go to Finland. Parliament Ratifies Agreement for Entry The prime minister of Finland highlighted the into OECD stability that the euro has offered to the Finnish 10 November (BNS) - The parliament here on economy. Even though Finns had been using their Wednesday ratified the agreements on markka since 1860, they nevertheless decided to Estonia's accession to the Organisation for give up their cherished currency and join the euro Economic Co-operation and Development zone, because they saw very big advantages in the (OECD). euro compared with their beloved and cherished The ratification bill covers three agreements: the markka, the Estonian premier said. OECD Convention, the privileges and immunities Ansip and Kiviniemi spoke about the co- agreement between the Estonian government and ordination of taxes on the level of the EU. "We, too, the OECD, and the agreement setting out Estonia's have co-ordinated our tax policy decisions with our rights and duties as an OECD member. neighbours, it's not about harmonisation of taxes Estonia expressed interest in becoming a but about co-ordination. Of course it is in Estonia's member of the OECD back in 1996 and received an interest," Ansip said. invitation to accession talks in 2007, which ended The prime minister said Estonia shouldn't fear the this spring with the signing of the accession harmonisation of tax policy either. "When we speak agreement. about the tax base, we are interested in greater Estonia will become a full member of the OECD harmonisation, because through it member states of after depositing the instrument of accession with the the EU will actually become comparable. Estonia as depositary government, France. That can happen we know has very few tax exemptions, favourable still before the end of this year. tax rates, and in order for tax rates to be better comparable the tax bases should be harmonised," he said. DEFENCE NEWS Estonian Ambassador to United Kingdom Aaviksoo Discusses Defence Co-operation Presents Credentials with British Colleague 11 November – Estonian Ambassador to the 5 November - Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern met his British colleague Liam Fox this Ireland Aino Lepik von Wirén presented her morning to discuss issues related to mutual credentials to Queen Elizabeth II. defence co-operation between the two In the discussion following the presenting of countries. A wide range of defence policy issues credentials, Her Majesty and Ambassador Lepik von were discussed during the meeting. The ministers Wirén discussed bilateral relations between Estonia talked of the upcoming NATO summit in Lisbon, and the United Kingdom and acknowledged the very expressing their satisfaction with the draft of the good co-operation between the two nations. Queen new strategic concept of the alliance. Other topics Elizabeth II recognised the Estonian soldiers that covered were the future of the Baltic air policing participate in battle activities in Afghanistan’s operation and British contribution to this operation, Helmand Province alongside British soldiers. Queen the co-operation between NATO and Russia, and the Elizabeth II expressed interest in Estonia’s current role of Turkey in European security architecture. economic situation and the Estonian ambassador Aaviksoo also thanked Fox for good co-operation in Afghanistan and especially for the treatment of

4 wounded Estonian servicemen in the University of Estonia Gets 81 mm Mortars from USA Birmingham and Headley Court Rehabilitation 9 November (BNS) - US Ambassador Michael C. Centre. Polt presented the Estonian Defence Forces Defence Minister Aaviksoo expressed delight for with 12 mortars supplied to Estonia by the the fact that after a long time he was able to hold a United States as military assistance. The 81 mm meeting with his British colleague. “I am happy to M252 mortars, of which 80 units total will be given say that the preparation of Estonian copter pilots in to Estonia within the project, will significantly co-operation with UK is also progressing improve the capability of Estonian mission units. successfully. We also achieved an agreement for the They will also be used to equip wartime units of the visit of minister Fox to Estonia and a possible joint Defence Forces, military spokespeople in Tallinn visit of the defence ministers of Estonia, UK and said. Denmark to Afghanistan in the beginning of the The United States will definitely continue co- coming year,” Aaviksoo said. operation with its ally Estonia not only through close Defence minister Fox emphasised the need for diplomatic, political and strategic relations, but is intensification of defence co-operation between the also giving a tangible sign of its continued Nordic and Baltic countries and the United Kingdom contribution to our common defence capability and and Poland. On the initiative of Fox, a joint meeting the future of the alliance, Polt said according to with the defence ministers of UK and Poland will be remarks relayed by the spokespeople. "The United held next week in Oslo within the framework of the States government has this year contributed more meeting of the Nordic and Baltic defence ministers. than nine million dollars to the military assistance In the afternoon Minister of Defence Aaviksoo programme for Estonia," the ambassador said. also visited the Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, "Estonia's defence co-operation with the United where Estonian servicemen wounded during foreign States is not only strategic in the framework of missions are being treated. NATO and tactical on the mission in Afghanistan, but

also emotional, which has found expression both Nordic, Baltic Ministers Discuss Future of during the landing exercise in Lahemaa this summer Defence Co-operation as well as in today's delivery of weapons received as 11 November (BNS) - A meeting of the defence a gift," the Estonian Minister of Defence Jaak ministers of the Nordic and the Baltic countries Aaviksoo said, adding that this served as a was held in Oslo. The focus was on the future of conformation of genuine brotherhood in arms. defence co-operation between the countries, and a The mortars will be used in Afghanistan by the separate meeting was held with leaders of the mortar unit of the Estonian infantry company whose defence ministries of Britain, Poland and . task is to provide long range fire support to the Estonian Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo said infantry during operations. The Estonian infantry deepening defence co-operation among the five company in Afghanistan has been using a mortar Nordic countries and past successful activities platoon to support its activity since 2008. between the Baltic countries have created a good Under the same programme, Estonia will get four foundation for defence co-operation in the so-called sets of Raven unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, or Nordic-Baltic format. "This meeting gave that co- drones, as military assistance from the United operation a clear political base and framework. The States. Each of the sets consists of three aircraft and common projects would be regular joint manning of a ground control station. the European Union's Nordic Battle Group, developing the Baltic Defence College to become a regional training institution, and developing the ECONOMIC NEWS Baltic Sea surveillance system SUCBAS (Sea Economy Grows 4.7 Percent in Third Survaillance Cooperation in the Baltic Sea and Approaches)," Aaviksoo was quoted by spokespeople Quarter as saying. 11 November (BNS) - Estonia's gross domestic The Estonian minister said this was a good sign, product grew by 4.7% in the third quarter of showing that despite the formal fragmentation of this year compared to the same period of 2009, northern Europe common understanding in the the national statistics office reports. domain of defence was good and the desire and The GDP of the third quarter was above all skills to work closely were at a good level. He influenced by the growth of value added in expressed confidence that the co-operation will be manufacturing created due to a strong increase in successful and of practical benefit for Estonia. exports, Statistics Estonia said. The sales of Within the framework of the same get-together, manufacturing production on the domestic market a meeting of the Nordic and Baltic defence ministers increased as well, indicating an improvement in took place with Britain's Defence Secretary Liam Fox domestic demand. Domestic sales of manufacturing and the state secretaries of the ministries of defence production increased last in the first quarter of of Germany and Poland. 2008. Aaviksoo said that these countries together make According to preliminary calculations the gross up more than a quarter of Europe and have close value added produced by the industrial sector as a security interests and risks. “I see this co-operation whole increased by 14%, and without taking the as having future, first of all in the joint surveillance economic activity of construction into account, even of air and sea, but definitely also in cyberspace. It by 23%. Besides manufacturing, the industrial would be fine if all these countries could work sector also includes mining, electricity, gas and together within the framework of the NATO Cyber water supply, and construction activities. In Defence Centre of excellence in Tallinn," said the construction, the output of which is mainly targeted Estonian minister. at the domestic market, the generated value added showed a continued downward trend.

5 In addition to the manufacturing sector, growth Month on month exports grew by 18% and of the value added created in the wholesale and imports by 10%. retail trade and transport, storage and communications activities also had a bigger impact Tallink Accounts for 60 Percent of Tallinn on GDP growth. Growth of the value added in Port’s Passenger Flows financial intermediation accelerated mainly due to a strong growth in the net interest income. 9 November (BNS) - In October 657 879 The value added of households, non-profit passengers passed through the port of Tallinn, institutions and the general government sector of whom 60% or 422 797 were clients of the decreased, preliminary figures show. listed Estonian shipper Tallink. Quarter on quarter, the seasonally and working- Next came Viking Line and Eckerö Line with day adjusted GDP increased by 0.5% in the third respectively 148 771 and 83 091 passengers, it quarter, by 1.9% in the second quarter and by 1.1% appears from statistics of the port. in the first quarter. Thus, in the comparison of Other shipping companies served 2 439 successive quarters, the GDP growth rate slowed passengers and cruise ships carried 781 passengers down somewhat in the third quarter. Estonia's GDP in October. All told 6.7 million passengers passed grew by 3.1% year-on-year in the second quarter. through the port of Tallinn in 10 months compared Before showing year-on-year growth in the to 6.2 million during the same period last year. second quarter, the Estonian economy last expanded on annual comparison in the fourth Number of Tourists Staying in quarter of 2007. Accommodation Establishments Up by Tenth Estonian Air to Fly to Europe with 10 November (BNS) - In the first nine months of Intermediate Stops this year 1.9 million foreign and domestic 5 November (BNS) - The strategy of the Estonian tourists stayed at Estonian accommodation national carrier Estonian Air calls for operating establishments, 11% more than during the flights to Europe with intermediate stops in same period last year, the national statistics Poland, for instance, in order to boost the load agency said. The number of foreign tourists factor of planes, ensure profitability, and add increased by 13% and that of domestic tourists by daily destinations. 8%. Presenting the vision of the company's strategy From January to September 1.2 million foreign to journalists on Friday, Estonian Air CEO Andrus tourists stayed at accommodation establishments in Aljas said the operation of the Tallinn–Vilnius– Estonia. This exceeds by 7% results for the same Amsterdam route so far has proved that success can period of 2008, the best year for accommodation be achieved with intermediate stops. In July, for establishments of the past decade. Foreign tourists instance, the load factor of Tallinn–Vilnius– continue to account for two thirds of the total Amsterdam flights was 90%, which is a very good number of tourists and they mostly use the services result in aviation. of accommodation establishments of Tallinn. The chairman of the supervisory board of More than half, or 53%, of foreign tourists Estonian Air, Joakim Helenius, said that because of arrived from Finland, 100 000 from Russia and the small size of the Estonian market it was not 75,000 from Germany. An increase on annual possible for Estonian Air to serve a large number of comparison was recorded in the number of tourists destinations with a good load factor. from all major partner countries. The number of domestic tourists staying at Exports in September Biggest in Last Two accommodation establishments from January to Years September exceeded 600 000, which marks an increase of 8% compared to the same period last 9 November (BNS) - Exports of goods from year but falls short of the figures for 2007 and 2008. Estonia in September were the biggest in the The average cost of a guest night in an last two years, amounting to 13.2 billion accommodation establishment was 446 kroons (EUR kroons (EUR 841 mln), the national statistics 29), 3% lower than a year ago. The average cost office said. The monthly imports totalled 13.5 was the highest in the capital city Tallinn at 538 billion kroons. The export turnover was last on a kroons. In the southwestern seaside resort of Pärnu similar level in October 2008. Year on year, exports the average cost was 365 kroons. of goods grew by 40% and imports by 35%. The trade deficit was 0.3 billion kroons. The shortfall decreased nearly two times compared to September 2009. CULTURAL NEWS Estonian exports to European Union countries Parliament Speaker Unveils Memorial amounted to 9.2 billion kroons, accounting for 70% Tablet to Estonian Artist in Marrakech of total exports. Exports to EU countries increased 6 November (BNS) - Speaker of the Estonian by 41% on annual comparison. Riigikogu Ene Ergma, who is on an official visit Exports to non-EU countries grew by 37%. to Morocco, unveiled a memorial tablet to the Imports of goods from EU countries totalled 11.3 renowned Estonian artist Eduard Wiiralt in billion kroons, making up 84% of total imports. Marrakech. The tablet, with texts in Estonian, Compared to September 2009, imports from EU French and Arabic, marks the place in the Old Town countries increased by 39%. Imports from third of Marrakech where the artist lived for a while countries increased by 20%. before World War II. The trade deficit with EU countries was 2.1 billion The Estonian Foreign Ministry reached an kroons. In trade with third countries a surplus of 1.8 agreement in negotiations with the Marrakech billion kroons was recorded. municipal authorities on preserving the memory of

6 the artist in the place where he used to live, SPORTS NEWS spokespeople for the parliament said. Novosjolov Takes World Epee Title Wiiralt lived in Marrakech from July 1938 till February 1939. Art historians have noted that his 9 November (BNS) - Nikolai Novosjolov of stay in Morocco gave him fresh energy and Estonia won the men's epee world title at the inspiration, singling out prints like "Young Arab" world championships in on (mezzotint, 1940) and "Berber Girl with a Camel" Monday, beating France's Gauthier Grumier, (soft ground, 1940). holder of the 2006 world team title, 15-8 in the Ergma met in Marrakech with the city's first final. Jean-Michel Lucenay of France took the female mayor Fatima Zahra Mansour. The two bronze medal. exchanged thoughts about cultural exchanges, Novosjolov won his semifinal 15-11 against finding that Tallinn's status as the European Capital Gabor Boczko of , while Lucenay lost 15-12 of Culture 2011 offers good opportunities for this. to Grumier in the semifinals. "I couldn’t do anything The mayor was pleased to observe that Wiiralt was against Novosjolov. I was destroyed (by him)," already in the 1930s an important cultural Grumier ws quoted by the Associated Press as ambassador who brought her country closer to saying. "I tried to vary my game but nothing much Estonians. worked. I was at my best and at 200% during the tournament. He just crushed everybody." Canadian Estonian Have Made Strong In the opening round of the main tournament Contribution to Estonia’s Development Novosjolov beat Fabian Kauter of 15-11 and advanced to the eighth-final by upsetting the 6 November - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met world's top ranked Jorg Fiedler of Germany 13-12 in in Ottawa and Toronto with members of the overtime. He then defeated Spain's Marius Alvarado Estonian community in Canada. He stated that 15-12 and in quarterfinals came out victorious the role Estonians living in Canada play in against 's Enrico Garozzo, juniors world preserving Estonia’s culture and traditions is very champion from two years ago, 15-14. important, and many Canadian-born Estonians have For Novosjolov, this is the second medal from contributed to the development of the Estonian World Championships after his 2001 silver as part of nation after re-independence. “Following the the Estonian team. restoration of Estonia’s independence, many Estonians from Canada have returned to their fatherland, and Estonia has benefited from their experiences and expertise. Many Estonians that have lived in Canada have also helped to develop Estonia’s foreign service,” Paet added. Paet stated that Canada holds a special significance for Estonians, as it provided a safe refuge for ESTONIAN REVIEW thousands of their fellow countrymen. “For those (ISSN 1023-1951) who fled the Soviet occupation and escaped to Is issued by the Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Canada, the country provided safety as well as ISLANDI VÄLJAK 1, TALLINN, ESTONIA 15049 opportunities to study, work, and become a part of a TEL +372 637 7600 society that values multiculturalism. Currently one of FAX +372 637 7617 the biggest Estonian communities in the world is Estonian Review is also available over the found in Canada,” added Paet. internet at http://www.vm.ee Foreign Minister Paet said that thanks to the To subscribe, please contact: [email protected] Canadian-Estonian community, Estonia and Canada Estonian Review is compiled in co-operation with have always shared good cultural ties. “Through the Baltic News Service http://www.bns.ee/ cultural and individual contacts we have the opportunity to introduce Estonia better in Canada. For example, an Estonian documentary short film festival was just recently held in Toronto,” he added. Almost every year since 1990 has seen the occurrence of Estonia-Canada cultural days, during which it is possible to hear Estonian music, watch Estonian films, and become acquainted with Estonian culture and art. Estonians in Canada are represented by the Estonian Central Council in Canada, which was established in 1951 and has the goal of developing and preserving cultural, economic and other ties between Estonians in Canada and the Estonian state. In addition, many cities also have Estonian societies that work to organise events and help people who are living in Estonia. Large numbers of Estonians are mainly concentrated in three areas of Canada: Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

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