Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 20 NO 20 MAY 28 – APR 3, 2010

FOREIGN NEWS FOREIGN NEWS EU-Russia Summit Important Opportunity to Discuss State of Relations 1 June - Foreign Minister Paet stated that the summit that took place on 31 May and 1 June in Rostov was an important opportunity to discuss the state of the European Union’s relations with Russia. At the summit in Rostov, topics discussed included the economic and financial crisis, climate change, energy relations, EU-Russia relations in general, and international and regional matters. A joint declaration in which the priorities for the EU- Russia Modernisation Partnership were laid out was approved. Foreign Minister Paet said that Foreign Minister Urmas Paet with OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría the Modernisation Partnership in Tallinn, 2 June. initiative is an important Becoming OECD Member is Recognition of ’s opportunity for the EU to have a hand in Russia’s development. Development “The EU feels it is important to 2 June - During his meeting with Secretary General of the advance Russia’s economic Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) growth, including domestic Angel Gurría in Tallinn today, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet reform, primarily to support the emphasised that Estonia considers becoming a member of the OECD principles of rule of law and a to be very important and would like to actively participate in the free market economy,” Paet work of the organisation. stated. “In addition to supporting Foreign Minister Paet stated that the OECD is a recognised economic the sustainable develop of analysis centre and the member states have the opportunity to take part in Russia’s economy, Estonia also the high-level analyses and expert recommendations. “Becoming an OECD considers it important to share member is recognition of Estonia’s development,” said Paet. reform experiences, introduce e- The OECD’s multi-faceted activities cover the entire public sector and services, and co-operate on the many economic branches, from agriculture to the social and educational level of local governments,” sector. “The OECD is a place for many experts to exchange valuable added the Estonian minister. information. As an OECD member, Estonia can participate in discussions with Developments in the EU- equal standing and share its experiences, as well as learn more than ever Russia visa dialogue were also before from the experiences of other countries,” said Paet. discussed. Step by step, Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia is starting to form its movement is being made representation at the OECD. “The Foreign Ministry will send the first ever towards visa freedom in the diplomat working solely with OECD matters to Paris this summer, and longer perspective. The process gradually expert diplomats from other ministries will follow,” said Paet. “The will continue with resolving function of ambassador to the OECD will be fulfilled by the Estonian practical issues. “Progress in the ambassador in Paris and UNESCO,” the foreign minister added. visa dialogue is strongly tied to Tomorrow, 3 June, Estonia’s accession treaty with the OECD will be relations between the EU and signed. Estonia will become a full member of the organisation at the end of Russia in general,” Paet noted. 2010, after the accession treaty has been ratified in Riigikogu. Slovenia and “Russia must completely fulfil the Israel will be joining the OECD along with Estonia. After their accession the EU-Russia visa facilitation and OECD will be made up of 34 members. readmission agreement that The OECD’s goal is to support the expansion of general world economic came into effect in 2007 and the development and world trade. The primary means for achieving these goals usual technical requirements,” is close co-operation among member states, as well as utilising dialogue, said Paet. consensus, and lessons learned from the better experiences of others. Continued on page 2

EU-Russia Summit While talking about the future of Estonia-India relations, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet noted that (continued from page 1) Estonia would like to assign honorary consuls in The foreign minister also emphasised that when Calcutta and Chennai in the near future. Currently it comes to the visa dialogue, the European Union Estonia has honorary consuls in India in Delhi and should adhere to a regionally balanced approach. Mumbai. “Eastern Partnership countries, which have EU integration prospects, should not have inferior opportunities to Russia in the visa liberalisation process,” emphasised the Estonian foreign minister. Also discussed was co-operation between the EU and Russia under the circumstances of the global economic crisis and Russia joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Paet mentioned that Estonia feels it is still important for Russia to join the WTO quickly and for hindrances to trade on the Russian side to be abolished. Other topics addressed at the summit were the situation in the EU and Russia’s common neighbourhood, Iran’s nuclear programme, and the Middle East peace process. The EU emphasised that Russia must fulfil the responsibilities accepted after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. The EU-Russia summit that took place in Rostov on 31 May and 1 June was hosted by President of Foreign Minister Urmas Paet with Indian the Russian Federation Dmitri Medvedev and Foreign Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Minister Sergei Lavrov. The European Union was Kaur, 29 May. represented by President of the European Council Herman von Rompuy and President of the EU Estonia Values Participation in UNESCO Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. High World Heritage Committee Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton 30 May - At his meeting with Director General and Trade Comissioner Karel de Gucht also of UNESCO Irina Bokova, Foreign Minister participated. Urmas Paet noted that Estonia feels its

participation in the UNESCO World Heritage Paet Met with Minister of State for Committee is very important. “Estonia’s priorities External Affairs of India in UNESCO are tied to valuing and protecting the 29 May - At his meeting with Indian Minister of world’s physical and spiritual heritage,” stated State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, Foreign Foreign Minister Paet. Minister Urmas Paet spoke about the need to The primary responsibility of the UNESCO World conclude an agreement for the protection of Heritage Committee is to ensure the preservation of investments and the avoidance of double the world’s cultural and natural heritage. Since 2009 taxation between the two countries. Another Estonia is participating in the work of the UNESCO topic of discussion was international co-operation in World Heritage Committee for a four-year period. the fight against terrorism originating in Afghanistan “This gives Estonia a good opportunity to further and Pakistan. strengthen its activities in protecting spiritual Paet and Kaur discussed opportunities for cultural heritage,” stated Paet. Of the 186 nations intensifying co-operation between the economies that have joined the World Heritage Convention, and universities of Estonia and India. “In order to only 21, including Estonia, belong to the UNESCO advance economic co-operation, we are also World Heritage Committee. This summer a session preparing to conclude an agreement for the of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will take avoidance of double taxation and the protection of place in Brazil, where Estonia will be participating as investments with India,” added the foreign minister. a member of the committee for the first time. According to Foreign Minister Paet, IT-related co- Estonia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage operation between Estonia and India is going very List since 1997 for Tallinn’s Old Town and since well. “In the first half of June a delegation of Indian 2005 for the Struve geodetic arc, which was IT experts will come to Tallinn to become acquainted proposed by ten countries in co-operation. In July of with Estonia’s experiences in the IT field,” the 2009 the events of the Baltic Way were added to the foreign minister stated. UNESCO Memory of the World programme. The Seto Indian Minister of State for External Affairs singing tradition has been added to the Intangible Preneet Kaur stated that India is face-to-face with Cultural Heritage List. the threat of terrorism every day, and noted that UNESCO Director General Bokova stated that the international co-operation in the fight against work of Estonian experts in various UNESCO terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan is very activities is highly regarded. “Contributing experts to important. Paet told his Indian colleague about the work of UNESCO gives Estonia a chance to help Estonia’s activities for strengthening the security developing nations with its expertise and also gain situation in Afghanistan. new experiences,” stated Foreign Minister Paet. In Estonia expressed its support for India’s desire to the first half of 2010 Estonia is the chairman of the become a permanent member of the UN Security group of Central and East European and Central Council after the Council’s reform. Asian nations and co-ordinates communication with UNESCO organs and among the nations within the European Union-Brazil visa freedom agreement group. would be signed presently at the EU-Brazil summit, Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia would like and as a result Estonian citizens would be able to to be a candidate for the UNESCO International visit Brazil without a visa. Paet stated that trying to Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere get visa-free travel to Brazil for Estonian citizens has Programme for 2011. taken quite a bit of time due to Estonia’s accession to the Schengen zone. “For Estonia, this is the final Full EU Membership is Only Conceivable chapter of reciprocal visa discussions. This means Future for Western Balkans that after the agreement comes into effect, Estonia has achieved visa freedom with all the nations that 2 June - Foreign Ministry Secretary General have reciprocal visa freedom with all the other Marten Kokk participated in the high-level European Union nations,” said Paet. meeting of the European Union and Western While talking about Estonia-Brazil economic Balkan states that took place in Sarajevo, relations, Foreign Minister Paet said that there is where the future of the Western Balkan room for growth in business ties, through Brazil is nations and their accession prospects with the already Estonia’s most important trade partner European Union were discussed. among Latin American countries. “Estonian The Foreign Ministry secretary general entrepreneurs are interested in closer contacts with emphasised that the meeting, which was attended their Brazilian colleagues in the oil shale energy, by all the countries that work actively in the region, information and communication technology, and was a good example of practical co-operation tourism sectors. Brazil has also expressed interest in between the European Union and the Balkan co-operation between ports and in Estonian building nations. “We hope that similar co-operation will materials,” added Foreign Minister Paet. continue and will develop further on all levels and in Paet stated that Estonia is also interested in various fields,” Kokk noted. One good example of concluding agreements for the avoidance of double practical co-operation is the giving of visa freedom taxation and the protection of investments with road maps to the Western Balkan nations. “It is Brazil. The investments of Estonian entrepreneurs in important to move forward quickly with matters Brazil total about 12.6 million kroons (805 205 such as visa freedom,” asserted Kokk. EUR). Marten Kokk said that Estonia supports a Estonia and Brazil are co-operating to develop concrete European Union perspective for Western the public sector and IT solutions in Haiti. “The Balkan nations, as it offers the region an opportunity Haitian government is working to restore the for stability and socio-economic development. “The country and the international community, including European Union must continue to give its attention Estonia and Brazil, is supporting Haiti in building up to the Western Balkans,” Kokk stressed. “Within the a contemporary society,” Paet said. Foreign Minister next few years the EU should begin negotiations Paet noted that the Brazilian foreign minister will be with all the Western Balkan countries, and within the able to become thoroughly acquainted with Estonia’s next decade they could already be European Union IT solutions and discuss co-operation opportunities members,” he added. during his visit to Estonia in June. Brazil has also However, the secretary general also emphasised made a proposal to Estonia to co-operate in sharing that membership should not just be a goal for the IT-related experiences with some African countries. sake of a goal. “What are important are the reforms On the topic of EU-Brazil relations, Foreign Minister and the steps that improve quality of life, which Urmas Paet said that Brazil is one of the EU’s most result in membership,” Kokk noted. Also, the important partners in Latin America in regards to Western Balkans must address their own bilateral both political relations and economic co-operation. issues, especially resolving border disputes, as these At a meeting with representatives of the crude oil are potential obstacles to EU accession. “The company Petrobras, energy-related co-operation integration of the Western Balkan nations must stem opportunities with Petrobras in Brazil and from the interest and motivation of their own internationally were discussed. Estonia is looking for leaders and citizens,” said Kokk. “Estonia and the co-operation partners to implement its technology entire European Union can use their experiences to and co-operate in establishing the use of oil shale support reforms that strengthen rule of law and deposits in other nations. Brazil is the only other socio-economic development in the region, as a nation in the world after Estonia and China that result of which the Western Balkans states will be produces shale oil. able to join the EU,” he added. Estonia has more experience in mining and The implementation protocol for the government processing oil shale than any other country in the of Estonia and cabinet of minister of Bosnia and world. More than 5% of the world’s oil shale Herzegovina’s agreement between the European reserves are found in Brazil. The Brazilian firm Community and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Petrobras is the fifth-largest crude oil company in readmission of persons residing without the world and it also works in the area of oil shale authorisation was also signed at the meeting. production.

Visa-Free Travel to Brazil for Estonian EU IT Agency Co-Rapporteur Visits Citizens Will Soon be Reality Estonia 30 May - At his meeting with Brazilian Foreign 1 June (BNS) - Alexander Alvaro, a rapporteur of Minister Celso Amorimi in Rio de Janeiro, the European Parliament on the European Foreign Minister Urmas Paet discussed matters Union's IT agency, will Thursday arrive for a related to visa freedom between the European two-day visit to Estonia in order to familiarise Union and Brazil, as well as Estonia-Brazil himself with the Estonian bid to become the relations and co-operation opportunities. host country of the agency. Foreign Minister Paet expressed hope that the

3 Alvaro, elected to the European Parliament from DOMESTIC NEWS , will meet with Interior Minister Marko Estonia Has Freedom to Commemorate Pomerants, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Keit Pentus, and members of the parliamentary European and Obligation to Remember All Victims Affairs Committee, and will visit the NATO Cyber of the Holocaust Defence Centre and the Estonian ICT Demo Centre. 3 June - Today Foreign Minister Urmas Paet Alvaro is coming to Estonia at the invitation of participated in the opening of a memorial MEP Kristiina Ojuland, spokespeople for the Reform stone at the former Tallinn Prison building. The Party said. stone is dedicated to the memory of the French Jews In April the Interior Ministry sent to member deported to Estonia in “convoy number 73” in May of countries of the European Union the official Estonian 1944. bid for becoming the host country of the IT agency In his speech, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said of the EU. that today the oppressive walls of the former prison According to the bid Estonia is prepared to put up are joined by a new stone, which is not in the a new main server building and cover the costs of service of captors or killers, but rather of freedom. construction. The exact location of the building “This stone, opened in the memory of the people depends on concrete terms but some state-owned brought from occupied France to occupied Estonia in property where the necessary development has convoy no. 73, speaks to the fact that we have the already been carried out will certainly be preferred. freedom to commemorate and the obligation to If Estonia becomes the host country of the new remember,” emphasised Paet. agency, suitable rented premises for its Foreign Minister Paet recalled that the stone is headquarters for the first year of work and a free being opened in a spot that bore witness to the office building accommodating at least one hundred tragic fate of many. In 1940, when Estonia was employees for the future would be granted. The occupied by the USSR, many Estonian statesmen as plans include setting up a respective group to well as social and cultural figures perished here, the support the activity of the agency. Estonia for its fates of many of them still unknown today. part is prepared to invest nearly 17 million euros in “Deportations and murders affected all Estonian the agency to be established for operational citizens. During the Soviet occupation, almost 10% management of large-scale IT systems of the law, of the Estonian Jewish community, which numbered liberty and security spheres. Additionally, the state more than 4 000, was deported,” said Paet. is prepared to invest in opportunities of study for In recalling the critical turning points of the last children of the agency staff in accordance with the century, Foreign Minister Paet stated how in July of European School syllabus. 1941 the Soviet occupation was replaced by that of The host country of the agency to be started in Nazi Germany. The nearly 1 000 Estonian citizens of 2012 will be decided by the member states. In Jewish faith that had remained in Estonia were addition to the Estonian bid, France has also filed its labelled enemies and executed according to the application. plans of the German occupation powers. “Between the years 1942 and 1944 the German occupation Honorary Consuls to Issue Estonian ID forces brought more than 10 000 people from all of Cards its occupied territories to the camps established here, and nearly all of them perished,” said Paet. In 3 June (BNS) - The Estonian Foreign Ministry May of 1944, convoy no. 73 brought five cars wants to give honorary consuls in foreign carrying about 300 people from occupied France to countries the right to issue ID cards to occupied Estonia. Estonian citizens, as it is complicated at “The opening of the memorial stone today is present for them to get an ID card. Under the evidence of the fact that after a difficult struggle, law now in force, consular officials and honorary justice triumphed, though not everywhere at once consuls can issue passports and driving licences to and not completely. The important thing is that in Estonian citizens living abroad. But only a consular the end, eventually it did triumph,” emphasised Paet official is entitled to issue an ID card. in the conclusion of his speech. The Foreign Ministry has sent on a round of The opening of the memorial stone was made endorsments a bill of amendments to the Consular possible thanks to the “Relatives and Friends of the Act that will grant the right of issuing ID cards also Deported in Convoy 73”, the Shoah Memorial Fund, to honorary consuls. and the Tallinn City Government. Estonia has 163 representations throughout the Both France and Estonia are members of the world, of these 128 headed by honorary consuls. Task Force for International Co-operation on Honorary consuls represent Estonia also in countries Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research that have a considerable number of Estonians, such and help to preserve the memory of the Holocaust as Australia, and in countries where there is no as well as provide a responsible education for youth. Estonia representation at all. As a result it is not possible for Estonian citizens in many countries to get an ID card. As the ID card is a convenient vehicle of DEFENCE NEWS communication with the Estonian state via its portal, Baltnet Celebrating Tenth Anniversary Estonia will lose a significant part of its voters who 3 June (BNS) - Estonian Defence Minister Jaak are not able to vote at Estonian foreign Aaviksoo will take part in events marking the representations due to large distances and Estonia's tenth anniversary of the Baltic countries' joint low level of representation. This weakens the links of air space surveillance system in Lithuania. Estonian citizens living abroad, the Foreign Ministry Baltnet could be compared with the three Baltic said. countries' vision, the Defence Ministry reported Aaviksoo as saying. "It is a system where we have

4 trusted the unique capacity of looking around in our Online sales of Hawes & Curtis amount to the air space to our allies. In return we have received equivalent of 100 million kroons (EUR 6.4 mln) the ability to see three times as sharply and three annually and the Estonian company's task is to times farther than otherwise," Aaviksoo said. increase this figure, Massi Miliano head Heikki Baltnet, which was launched in June 2000, is the Haldre said. According to Haldre, the first week's joint air space surveillance system with the statistics show that if usually an average of two out command centre in Karmelava, Lithuania. of a hundred visitors of an online shop make a The tactical air space operations command centre purchase, the number rose to eight after the receives into its system data of primary and adoption of Fits.me. "Furthermore, we obtained the secondary radars from the three Baltic countries, measurements of close to 10 000 persons in a processes and displays them. The centre initiates week," he said. and co-ordinates the identification of all the aircraft Fits.me hopes to launch co-operation with several in the area monitored by all the radars and more companies within a couple of months, Haldre organises exchange of air space information of the said. "It's too soon to disclose any names," he Baltic region with third countries. The Karmelava added. command centre is manned with specialists from all The Fits.me robotic mannequin was developed by three Baltic countries, including about ten Estonian Alvo Aabloo, professor of polymeric materials airmen. technology at the Technology Institute of Tartu After the accession of Estonia, and University, and professor Maarja Kruusmaa at the Lithuania to NATO, Baltnet was integrated with the biorobotics centre of the Tallinn University of Natinads air defence system of the alliance, which is Technology. The Estonian Development Fund has part of NATO's collective defence system. As part of invested 10 million kroons in the company. Other the NATO air space defence system BALTNET's investors were business angels and Webmedia. The duties include also air space control and tactical investors acquired a minority stake in Massi Miliano. management of air space security operations in addition to air space surveillance. Turnover of Premia Foods Up in Q1

31 May (BNS) - The financial results of Estonia's Premia Foods improved in Q1 this year against ECONOMIC NEWS the same period last year, with the turnover of Estonian Development Fund Invests in the company growing by 5% to 234.4 million GrabCAD Environment for Engineers (EUR 15 mln) and the loss contracting by nearly one third to 17.9 million kroons. In the 2 June (BNS) - GrabCAD, creator of a web opinion of the management, the quarter was library of 3D models and service environment successful for Premia Foods. for engineers, has attracted four million kroons Despite the markets' continued low in Estonia (EUR 0.26 mln) in venture capital investment and Latvia sales significantly grew in and from the Estonian Development Fund and Lithuania, the company says in its Q1 report. The Astrec Baltic. revenue from the sale of ice cream totalled 29.7 The telecommunications technology company million kroons in Q1, down 9.3% on year. Astrec Baltic, owner of the Motors24.ee portal, is The proceeds from the sale of frozen products investing in GrabCAD on the same terms and amounted to 78.5 million kroons in Q1, contracting conditions as the Development Fund, the fund said. by 16.2% on year. The sales proceeds from fish and The founders of the GrabCAD environment are fish products totalled 121.3 million kroons, up Hardi Meybaum and Indrek Narusk. Meybaum said 26.5% on year. real orders over one year have proven that it is In Q1 the labour expenses of the company possible to provide CAD services via the Internet. contracted by 11%, administration expenses by Co-operation agreements have already been 25% and selling expenses by 8%. concluded with Estonian production and engineering In the opinion of Premia Foods, the company is companies and talks are underway with Estonian still the ice cream market leader in Estonia, and Scandinavian technical universities who will controlling a market share of nearly 40% in Q1. In become the first users of and contributors to the Q1 2009 the market share was nearly 37%. next development phase, he added. GrabCAD aims to spread across the world the Children’s Wear Maker Lenne Boosts idea of reusing 3D CAD models. Engineers spend much of their working time on designing products or Profit to 3.6 Mln EUR components that already exist somewhere else in 1 June (BNS) - The Estonian manufacturer of the form of drawings. Making such drawings children's outerwear Lenne boosted its net available to others allows engineers to dedicate profit last year more than tenfold to 56.8 more time to creating unique products and million kroons (EUR 3.6 mln) mostly thanks to components. GrabCAD's goal is to become in three cost-cutting and a 30% growth in export to years the world's leading web environment for CAD Finland. The firm's undistributed profit increased to engineers. nearly 184 million kroons of which owners withdrew 300 000 kroons in dividends. British Shirt-Maker Adopts Estonian Sales grew 8.8% to 135.4 million kroons. Robotic Mannequin Expenses declined and operating profit more than doubled to 52.3 million kroons, Lenne's financial 2 June (BNS) - OU Massi Miliano, which markets statements for the 2009 business year reveal. a robotic mannequin under the Fits.me trade The sale of products to Finland accounted for name, recently started co-operation with the most of last year's turnover (96.7 million kroons). British shirt-maker Hawes & Curtis, launching Sales on the domestic market gave 25.4 million at the end of April the world's first virtual kroons, 1.5 million kroons was generated in Latvia, fitting room on the firm's website.

5 and Lithuania contributed 400 000 kroons. Sales in collections that received financial contributions from Estonia grew by 13%. many Estonian and Finnish businesses and Lenne's business is designing and making individuals. The patron of the collection was maestro children's outerwear – jumpsuits, jackets, pants, , who expressed his joy over this vigorous headgear, and gloves and mittens. The company patronage of culture: “I thank the Estonians and the makes roughly half a million items annually, most of Finns for their common good deed. Thanks to you, which is exported. Around one fifth of the output this instrument handmade by Estonian piano makers remains on the domestic market and is stocked by will fill our embassy with its glorious sounds!” more than 40 stores, it appears from Lenne's The director of the “Estonia” piano factory website. Professor Venno Laul and the chairmen of the Helsinki Estonian Academic Club and the Finnish- Tallinn Port’s May Freight Flow Up 31 Estonian Trade Association Indrek Tammeaid and Percent on Year Risto Tornivaara took the stage before the concert on behalf of all the contributors and thanked the 2 June (BNS) - Estonia's state-owned Tallinna embassy for its good work in building a bridge Sadam (Port of Tallinn) in May handled 3.2 between the two nations. They also emphasised that million tons of freight, which marks an the gift is both a recognition of what has been increase of 31% compared to the same month accomplished and motivation and inspiration for last year. In the first five months of 2010, cargo future activities. throughput totalled 14.9 million tons, up by 15.7% Estonian Ambassador to Finland Merle Pajula year on year, the company said. thanked the contributors, partners on the path to The number of passengers served during the developing Estonia-Finland relations, and confirmed months of January to May increased 6.4% in annual that from now on the piano they donated will comparison to a total of 2.75 million. provide a new sound and spark to the cultural events that take place at the embassy. “I am so pleased that the work of our embassy family has CULTURAL NEWS gotten such a response from our friends—this Embassy in Riga Presented Latvia with inspires us to continue working hard.” Book Designed by Raul Meel The white “Estonia” piano will now grace the reception hall of the Helsinki embassy, which was 28 May - Estonian Ambassador to Latvia Jaak built in 1933, and allow for Estonian music and Jõerüüt presented the Latvian National composers to be introduced to the scores of Museum of Art and Latvian National Library Estonia’s friends and other guests in Finland more with copies of the book designed by Raul Meel completely than ever before. entitled “Solomon’s Song of Songs”. The books were accepted by museum director Mara Lace and library director Andris Vilks. Internationally well-known Estonian artist Raul Meel designed many displays for an exhibit that opened in the fine arts library of Ghent University in Belgium on 20 April, including virtual books of Solomon’s Song of Songs in eleven languages: Dutch, French, German, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Russian, Finnish, and Estonian. Estonian Ambassador Jaak Jõerüüt said that he is working on the final piece in the series, a Latvian-language book. The first one to be printed and bound was the English-language version. “The work is unique in each language, with every page The presentation of an “Estonia” piano to the given its own artistic form,” said Jõerüüt. Estonian Embassy in Helsinki, 2 June. While presenting the books, Ambassador Jaak Jõerüüt stated that the ancient and globally known original Hebrew text, its various translations, and the contemporary, congenial artistic interpretation produce a result with roots and branches that reach simultaneously into folk cultures and world culture, into fine arts and literature, and into religion and ESTONIAN REVIEW modern-day technology. (ISSN 1023-1951) Is issued by the Helsinki Embassy Receives “Estonia” Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ISLANDI VÄLJAK 1, TALLINN, ESTONIA 15049 Piano TEL +372 637 7600 2 June - On the evening of 1 June a formal FAX +372 637 7617 concert took place in the Estonian Embassy in Estonian Review is also available over the Helsinki to celebrate the presentation of a baby internet at http://www.vm.ee grand piano made by the “Estonia” piano To subscribe, please contact: [email protected] factory to the Estonian Embassy. The concert Estonian Review is compiled in co-operation with included pianists Kai Ratassepp and Mati Mikalai and the Baltic News Service http://www.bns.ee/ soprano Pille Lill. The “Estonia” piano was donated to the embassy by the Helsinki Estonian Academic Club and the Finnish-Estonian Trade Association, which organised

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