Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 19 NO 7 FEB 11- 17, 2009

FOREIGN NEWS FOREIGN NEWS Estonian and Spanish Foreign Ministers Discuss Relations, Conclude Visa Representation Agreement 11 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, in Spain on an official visit, met with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and chairman of the European Union Affairs Commission Miguel Arias Cañete. At their meeting, Paet and Moratinos signed a visa representation agreement between and Spain, as a result of which Spain will begin to represent Estonia in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, President with President of Tajikistan Emomali Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Rahmon, 13 February. Uruguay, and Venezuela. “Estonia wishes to maintain close relations Estonian Head of State Met with President of Tajikistan with Spain, one of the EU’s largest 13 February - "Tajikistan is an important partner for the West in member states,” said Foreign achieving success in the Afghanistan operation and combating the Minister Paet. “The network of illegal narcotics trade in Central Asia," President Toomas Hendrik Estonia’s foreign representations is Ilves said at a meeting with Emomali Rahmon, the head of state of not vast, therefore it is important Tajikistan who was on a working visit in Estonia. for us that Spain will be The Estonian head of state acknowledged Tajikistan's long-standing representing Estonia in 14 nations,” support for the battle against the extremist Taliban forces operating in Paet emphasised. Afghanistan and said their contribution was strategically very important. Paet and Moratinos agreed that "Also important is your recent decision to open an air corridor for non- it is important to intensify the military transit, which could be used to supply the NATO forces operating Eastern Dimension of the European in Afghanistan, Tajikistan's neighbouring country," President Ilves said. Neighbourhood Policy. Paet stated "The success of the Afghanistan operation is in the interests of both the that a stable European Union NATO member states and Afghanistan's close neighbours. After all, this neighbourhood, good governing would mean that the world would gain another stable country, and an standards, and generally accepted important barrier against the spread of extremism in the region would be business practices act as a security established." assurance for our neighbours as The Estonian president stressed that this is not an endless "foreign well. The Estonian and Spanish project". "We hope to see Afghanistan established as a nation that is able foreign ministers also emphasised to cope with the maintenance of stability and the guarantee of domestic the need to reach an agreement on security. However, this assumes that we all pay greater attention to extending and strengthening the political issues in Afghanistan." The Tajik president recognised and mandates of the ceasefire thanked Estonia for its efforts in the stabilisation of the situation in the monitoring missions in Georgia. military conflict area and noted that keeping peace in Afghanistan was At the meeting, EU-USA and EU- very important for the whole Central Asian region. NATO relations were also discussed. The topics discussed at the meeting between Presidents Ilves and “Relations with the USA and NATO Rahmon also included the common efforts of the international community must remain priorities for the EU. and Tajikistan to prevent the narcotics trade originating in Afghanistan and Only in co-operation with nations ending in Russia and Western Europe. Several countries and international and organisations that share our organisations, including the European Union, are supporting the efforts of the values can we be successful in Tajik authorities to prevent narcotics smuggling. strengthening energy security and backing stability in Afghanistan and Continued on page 2 the Middle East,” said Paet. Continued on page 2

Tajikistan Estonia Commends Extension of OSCE (continued from page 1) Presence in Georgia "Tajikistan, as a border country, has a special 13 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet role to play, because your efforts and the stated that the decision of the Permanent international assistance provided to you will Council of the OSCE on Thursday to extend the essentially determine the success of the attempt to presence of monitoring officers in Georgia until restrict the narcotics trade based in Afghanistan," 30 June 2009 is encouraging for both the the Estonian head of state said. status of representatives in international President Ilves confirmed that a politically stable missions and for strengthening stability in and economically successful Tajikistan, which is Georgia. increasingly interested in democratic reforms, is in “The role of an international presence in Georgia the interest of Estonia and the rest of the European and access to Georgia’s entire territory are Union. extremely valuable in terms of stabilising the The Estonian head of state recalled that nation,” said Paet, emphasising that the monitors Tajikistan places second among Estonia's trading must be allowed access to all of Georgia’s regions. partners in Central Asia, after Kazakhstan. Thus far, “Hopefully the OSCE Permanent Council’s decision this is based on transit trade in aluminium, but this will give greater assurance than before that the is the time for entrepreneurs in the two countries to humanitarian situation in Georgia will improve,” he think about diversification. added. "If you feel that Estonia has experiences that are useful to Tajikistan, we are naturally willing to share Estonian Government Backs EU Economic them with you," the Estonian head of state said to Stimulus Proposal President Rahmon. President Ilves mentioned information technology as a field where Estonian 12 February (BNS) - The Estonian government enterprises are interested in closer co-operation with today approved the European Commission partners in Tajikistan. proposal to invest an additional five billion euros over the next two years to give a Spain stimulus to the European economy. The European Union executive proposes to invest (continued from page 1) in key energy projects, extending and upgrading of Paet also introduced Estonia’s plan for joining the high-speed internet in rural communities, and euro-zone to Moratinos. tackling new challenges of the Common Agricultural The parties also discussed intensifying business Policy such as climate change, renewable energy relations between Estonia and Spain. “Spanish and biodiversity. businesses formed a Spain-Estonia Chamber of Provided the proposal gets the green light, Commerce this January,” said Paet. “The chamber’s Estonia and Finland stand to receive up to 100 plan to facilitate businesses that are interested in million euros each for the construction of a second participating more actively in the Baltic market is underwater power cable, the Estlink-2. extremely welcome. Estonia is definitely interested in investments from Spanish companies,” Paet Minister and Officials Talk about First noted. Another topic addressed by Paet and Moratinos Year in Schengen Visa Space was opportunities for reciprocal support for 13 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, candidacies in international organisations. “We hope Undersecretary for Legal and Consular Affairs to have Spain’s support for Estonia’s candidacy to Aino Lepik von Wirén, and director of the UN Human Rights Committee for 2012-2015 and the Foreign Ministry’s consular department to be an elected member of the UN Security Council Lauri Bambus spoke at the tourism fair Tourest from 2020-2021,” said Paet. 2009 about the activities of the Foreign Ministry’s consular department in 2008, Estonia’s first year as part of the Schengen visa space. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the primary purpose of consular services is to provide Estonians, and in some cases citizens of other countries, aid and consular support, as well as to give suggestions about how to avoid unexpected problems while travelling. This past year almost 425 000 Estonian residents travelled abroad and nearly 1 200 required consular aid. “For every workday last year an average of two Estonian citizens needed temporary travel documents, and every six days our consuls helped an Estonian citizen who had become ill or injured,” Foreign Minister Paet offered as examples of consular

situations. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet with his Spanish Foreign Minister Urmas Paet also mentioned that colleague Miguel Angel Moratinos, 11 February. 2008 will go down in consular history because

Estonia was faced with many new challenges. “Last year we had to deal with the battle against piracy and saving an Estonian citizen held hostage for the attacked Taliban positions in the central part of first time, and we also carried out our first-ever southern Helmand province last weekend. large-scale evacuation from a nation in a state of The battle that erupted during the operation, war,” listed Foreign Minister Paet. The Foreign which began on Saturday morning, lasted into the Minister and the Estonian Embassy in Tbilisi worked night and continued on Sunday morning until the together to evacuate 141 Estonian citizens and 11 enemy's retreat, military spokespeople said. The citizens of other European Union member states Estonian, British and Afghan troops suffered no during the conflict in Georgia in August. casualties whereas the Taliban units sustained losses Last year was the first year for Estonia in the in both personnel and armaments. European Union’s common visa space. “The The Taliban positions were also attacked by enlargement of the Schengen area was not only British combat aircraft and helicopters and the eagerly awaited by citizens of Estonia and other Estonian mortar unit. Taliban fighters were forced to newer member states, but it was a significant event abandon their positions and the areas under their for all visitors to Europe who previously would have control were cleared of the enemy. required visas,” said Foreign Minister Paet. “To The deputy commander of the Estonian infantry simplify the visa application process in nations company, Capt. Eero Aija, said this was the unit's where Estonia does not have a representation, we first experience of co-operation with Afghan armed have concluded visa representation agreements with forces and it went successfully. "The joint operation seven European Union member states,” he added. with the Afghan armed forces was fruitful and gave Hungary, Finland, Germany, Slovenia, Latvia, the an experience that will come in handy in planning Netherlands, and Spain represent Estonia for the future operations," he said. issuing of visas in 52 countries. Currently "The Estonian units too performed their tasks preparations are underway for signing such well. Commanders of subunits did a great job and agreements with Slovakia, France, Austria and led the men in a very professional manner. Due to Poland. that, the planned aims were achieved despite the complicated situation," the captain added. The objective of the joint operation was to drive DOMESTIC NEWS out the enemy from and ensure security in the Nawa area. Ruhnu Islanders Find Old Shipwreck Estonian units are serving in southern 13 February (BNS) - Residents of Estonia's Afghanistan in the composition of the British-led Ruhnu island discovered the remains of a ship Task Force Helmand. Currently almost 150 Estonian in the sea off the island; it is believed that the military are stationed in Afghanistan. wreck could be a of a vessel from the Swedish The joined the NATO-led fleet that was hit by storm when it left from military operation in Afghanistan in 2003. Riga for Stockholm about 400 years ago, the newspaper Meie Maa reported. Defence Forces Commander Invites The wreck, lying one and a half meters deep on Slovenia to Join Cyber Defence Centre the sandy sea floor about 400 meters from the shore between Staknas and Parsi, was discovered by 12 February (BNS) - Commander of the Estonian Kaarel Lauk, a member of the local council, and the Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots invited local border guard Rainer Sosi when their fishing Slovenia to participate in the work of the Baltic nets got stuck on the wreck. In Lauk's opinion the Defence College and the Tallinn-based NATO wreck could be of a large Viking ship 15 to 20 Centre of Excellence in Cyber Defence. meters long. Laaneots, who was in Slovenia on an official visit, Mart Kapsta, director of the Ruhnu Museum, made a proposal to his Slovenian colleague Lt. Gen. suggested that the ship could go back to the period Albin Gutman that Slovenia send its officers to take from 1650-1750 to which the wide planks of the ship part in the work of the Estonia-based centre of refer to. He considered the planks too wide for a excellence in cyber defence and the Baltic Defence Viking ship. College. The ship is not marked on old Ruhnu (Swedish: Lt. Gen. Gutman offered an overview to his Runo) maps and if the ship is Swedish it could date Estonian colleague of the development of Slovenia's from the year 1625. "Of 14 Swedish ships, ten were military national defence, its challenges and the lost in the Gulf of Riga. They were sailing from Riga security situation. to Stockholm when they were caught in a storm," "Estonia and Slovenia have much in common; as Kapsta said. a rule we've had good relations and relations of Vello Mass, researcher and underwater mutual support in international organisations, even archaeologist with the Estonian Maritime Museum, though the security situation of Slovenia is did not rule out the possibility that the wreck could considerably different from that of Estonia," be that of a medieval Hansa cog. But the Laaneots said. archaeologists will only be able to establish the The Estonian defence chief also met during his origin of the wreck after its study on the spot, the trip to Slovenia with President Danilo Turk, the paper wrote. country's minister of defence, and members of the parliamentary defence committee. Slovenia's air space is policed by aircraft of NATO partners just like the air space of the Baltic countries DEFENCE NEWS of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as none of the Estonian Units Participate in Successful countries has fighter aircraft of its own. Operation Against Taliban 16 February (BNS) - Estonian troops along with the Afghan security forces and British units

3 Law Amendment Allows More Young Both police leaders will join the Toompea unit of the People to Apply for Defence College volunteer corps. The commander of the Kaitseliit, Lt. Col. Raivo 12 February (BNS) - The Government of the Lumiste, said that accession of the police leaders to Republic today approved an amendment to the the Kaitseliit was setting a welcome example that Institutions of Professional Higher Education added diversity, vigour and historic continuity to the Act, prepared by the Ministry of Defence, which volunteer defence corps. allows candidates to apply for the Estonian The Kaitseliit has more than 10 000 members National Defence College (ENDC) before across Estonia, and together with its women's and passing the compulsory military service. youth organisations it brings together more than 19 The law amendment will allow the cadet 000 volunteers. candidates to pass the matriculation tests, required About 1 000 adult members of the Kaitseliit have for admittance to the Estonian National Defence the status of assistant police officer. College, before the compulsory military service, immediately after high school graduation. The passing of compulsory military service is still Aaviksoo Emphasises General Laidoner’s required to be matriculated for a student place, as it will give the future cadets basic military knowledge Contribution to Development of Estonian and an overview of everyday life in military service. Nationhood In co-operation with the Defence Resources 12 February - In his memorial lecture on the Board, all young people who successfully pass the 125th anniversary of the birth of Johan entrance examinations will commence their Laidoner in the Viljandi House of Culture, compulsory military service in the same year. Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo emphasised Therefore, young people should notify the Defence the will to defend, as inspired by the general, Resources Board of their wish to study in the and its importance for ensuring nationhood. Estonian National Defence College as early as In his speech, Minister Aaviksoo compared the possible. life of Johan Laidoner to the pre-war history of the The Estonian National Defence College is the only Republic of Estonia. “The life of a young military national defence high school that prepares well- man and statesman developed and matured educated and professional officers who will ensure simultaneously with the establishment and the security and independence of the state of development of the state, which began with the Estonia. The Basic Officer Training Course of the battles of World War I and ended with the tragic fate Estonian National Defence College gives the of the republic and General Laidoner himself.” students basic officers’ skills and applied higher Aaviksoo also mentioned Laidoner’s important education in the speciality of military command and contribution to Estonia’s international relations as an Second Lieutenant’s rank. The official study period interesting part of the statesman’s life and its for the Basic Officer Training Course in the Military relations with the present. Academy of the ENDC is three years in the Army “In 1920, Mr. Laidoner chaired the committee of field of study and three years in the Air Force field of the League of Nations, which settled the conflict study, the latter being launched in co-operation with between Turkey and Iraq over the Mosul region. As the Aviation Academy. it happened decades ago, Estonia has today After some years of service, the graduates of the contributed, within the scope of its better abilities, course may continue their studies in the Advanced to ensuring peace in Iraq.” Officer Training Course – level two of military higher “Mr. Laidoner’s sincere wish – to help his home education; the graduates will receive the preparation country overcome hard times – was intertwined with of a company commander and junior staff officer his will to protect Estonia’s independence. While and a master degree in the social sciences. building security in the modern world is much more complicated due to globalisation and new threats, Police Chief to Join Volunteer Defence such as terrorism and cyber security, we should Corps bear in mind the very same defence will and spirit which inspired both Mr. Laidoner and the Estonian 12 February (BNS) - Estonian Police nation during the War of Independence and during Commissioner Raivo Kuut and director of the the coup d'état attempt in 1924,” said the minister Central Criminal Police Eerik Heldna are of defence in his speech. scheduled to join the Kaitseliit volunteer Defence Minister Aaviksoo, in drawing parallels defence corps. with today, stressed the need for the consistent Kuut in his remarks described the Kaitseliit and development of national defence. “Military service the police as linked by ties of long-term and was, during the time of Laidoner, and still is, one of effective co-operation. the main principles of national defence in Estonia, "As a police officer I've been working very closely enhancing our defence will and laying a foundation with the Kaitseliit and many Kaitseliit members in for our ability to defend the freedom we have protecting public order for many years already, and gained. Aside from the development of national in the course of this I've learned to respect the defence, it is also important to contribute to Kaitseliit's values and know its essence," Kuut said. improving the international security situation. First Heldna said that being a member of the Kaitseliit of all, Estonia must not remain segregated and offered a good opportunity to avoid letting one's alone. Secondly, Estonia’s contribution to Iraq and military skills rust. Afghanistan has stressed our wish to support the "I believe that the Kaitseliit has an important role freedom, democracy and right of self-determination to play in ensuring internal and external security and of other countries, while having strengthened our the police and Kaitseliit can complement each other relations with our allies. The message of today’s in this," said Heldna, adding that as a reserve officer state of Estonia to General Laidoner could be the he considers membership of Kaitseliit to be natural. following – we have not forgotten the victims and

4 sacrifices made for Estonia’s freedom and we will do Financial House Tavid Sells Over Two anything to restore our independence for the Tonnes of Gold in 2008 generations to come,” said the minister. Aside from Viljandi, the 125th anniversary of the 11 February (BNS) - The Estonian financial group birth of General Johan Laidoner will be celebrated in Tavid-Tavex last year sold 2 159 kilograms of Viimsi, where the local school theatre will stage a investment gold in four countries, a year-on- play telling the story of Johan and Maria Laidoner year increase of 53%. entitled “I’m Looking Out the Window of Eternity”. The firm repurchased 482.6 kilograms of gold in This will be staged in the current war museum, the 12 months, three times more than in 2007, which was once the family home of the Laidoners. Tavid said. Gold bars weighing one hundred grams and one- ounce coins, the most popular ways to invest in gold worldwide, accounted for 75% of the sales. ECONOMIC NEWS An ounce of gold cost 725 euros at the beginning of Estonian Beer Gets Spot on Shelves in this month. Swedish Alcohol Monopoly The price of gold rose to a record 1 023 U.S. dollars per ounce in March 2008 and 678 euros per 11 February (BNS) - Sweden's state alcohol ounce in October. retail monopoly Systembolaget has picked Tavid sells gold in Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Saku Kuld (Saku Gold) of the beverages maker Latvia. Saku Õlletehas for the first Estonian beer brand to be given shelf space in its stores. The first consignment of Estonian beer will under Restaurants See Turnover Grow in Q4 the agreement hit stores in Sweden in April and the 13 February (BNS) - The net turnover of member target is to sell half a million litres in the first year, restaurants of the Estonian Hotel and Saku Õlletehas said. Restaurant Association (EHRL) grew in the Sales director Margus Kastein said entry into the fourth quarter of 2008 by 4% year on year to Swedish alcohol retail chain translates into a 15% 121.2 million kroons (EUR 7.74 mln). jump in export volumes, which is especially It appears from EHRL statistics that restaurants' important in view of contracting domestic demand. food revenue increased by 5% in an annual In Sweden alcohol is sold exclusively in stores of the comparison to 87.2 million kroons, while drinks monopolistic state-owned retail chain. To be revenue grew by almost 4% to 30.8 million kroons. included in the assortment, the taste, quality and The number of restaurant seats meanwhile packaging tests of a 15-member panel have to be increased by 12% from the same period of 2007 to passed. 5 453. The 1850-founded Systembolaget runs 426 stores in 322 communities. Saku Kuld has since 2005 also been in the product portfolio of Finland's largest brewery Sinebrychoff.

Sales by Retailer Prisma Up by Tenth in ESTONIAN REVIEW (ISSN 1023-1951) 2008 Is issued by the 16 February (BNS) - The Finnish-owned retail Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ISLANDI VÄLJAK 1, TALLINN, ESTONIA 15049 chain Prisma in Estonia boosted its sales 10% TEL +372 637 7600 last year in comparison with 2007 to a little FAX +372 637 7617 over two billion kroons (EUR 128 mln). Estonian Review is also available over the The profit of the Estonian operation, AS Prisma internet at http://www.vm.ee Peremarket, totalled 65.3 million kroons. To subscribe, please contact: [email protected] The number of client purchases at Prisma's stores Estonian Review is compiled in co-operation with climbed 7.4% while the number of stores was the Baltic News Service http://www.bns.ee/ unchanged from a year ago.

The aim for 2009 is to continue expansion and invest the profit accumulated over the years. In

2010 Prisma is planning to open a store in Narva, creating 100 new jobs. The retailer operates five Prisma hypermarkets in Tallinn at this point, having a market share of 8% in Estonia, according to figures provided by the company. Prisma is owned by the Nordic SOK group and has retail operations in Finland, Estonia, Russia, Latvia and Lithuania. It gives work to approximately 700 people in Estonia.

5