Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 16 NO 42 OCT 25 - 31, 2006 FOREIGN NEWS Formin: EU Nationals Soon Need No Visa to Enter Moldova Oct 26 - EU citizens will soon be able to enter Moldova without a visa, Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan said during a meeting with his visiting Estonian counterpart Urmas Paet. Visa-free entry will be allowed starting from Jan. 1 next year, Stratan said. Negotiations between the EU and Moldova on simplified visa rules for Moldovan nationals were one of the topics of the meeting of the Estonian and Moldovan foreign ministers. "Our aim is for talks with Moldova to be started before the end of the year," Paet said. The Estonian minister said eased visa regulations represent a very good opportunity to make cooperation between the EU and Moldova visible. Paet informed the Moldovan minister about a Press conference of Estonian Foreign Minister decision of the Estonian government to exempt Urmas Paet and Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei citizens of Moldova from visa fee and to expand visa- Stratan in Chişinău, October 26, 2006. free entry to cover holders of Moldovan diplomatic passports if Moldova lifts the visa requirement for EU nationals. The Moldovan minister offered an overview of Moldova's actions in relation to the EU. Moldova wishes to win a more favourable trading regime from the EU that would allow it to export more goods to the EU. Paet said Moldova had Estonia's support also in that matter. Speaking about relations between the two countries, Stratan said Estonia's experience is of great value and a good example for Moldova. He thanked Estonia for active help and voiced confidence that cooperation will intensify further in the future. Paet said Estonia intends to increase the share of Moldova in its development cooperation programs year after year. The ministers also discussed Moldova's aspirations as regards the EU and Euro-Atlantic cooperation, possibilities to find a solution to the frozen conflict involving Transnistria and relations with neighbours. Paet and Stratan spoke positively of the activities of the EU border assistance mission on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border. In the view of the Estonian minister the mission should be beefed up to ensure a sufficient number of patrols on the border and presence of personnel at border checkpoints. Paet expressed dissatisfaction with the peacekeeping model used in Moldova, saying it fails to comply with international standards. Moldovan Foreign Minister signs the guest book "Estonia is resolutely of the mind that today’s of Estonian Honorary Consulate in Chişinău after peacekeeping model should be replaced with a the opening ceremony. On the right Estonian peacekeeping mission led by the EU," Paet said. Honorary Consul Igor Goncearov. FOREIGN NEWS Paet met both with leaders of the border guard mission as well as Estonians serving in the Formin Appeals to Moldova to Carry Out mission. He said the activity of Estonian Radical Reforms representatives only deserved praise. Oct 27 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet The EU border mission on the Ukrainian- in a speech at Moldovan State University in Moldovan border was posted on December 1 last Chisinau appealed to Moldova to carry out year. There are 74 experts from 15 countries in the radical reforms. mission, including three border guards and two Paet said the radical and at certain moments customs officials from Estonia. unpopular reforms were what would ensure progress. Paet underlined that the pillars of a democratic and sustainable state were an independent and high-quality legal system and efficiently functioning state institutions. "It is in the interests of Moldova itself to establish a properly functioning market economy, to ensure the processes of an open civic society and to take effective action against corruption in complete harmony with all of the principles of the rule of law," the foreign minister said. Speaking about the separatist province of Transnistria, Paet underlined that Estonia had Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet with consistently supported withdrawal of Russian troops Estonian border guard Marko Mertens, member from Moldova and wanted to see peaceful solution of of EUBAM and Ukrainian border guard at the conflict proceeding from the territorial integrity Platonovo check point of Moldova. "It is important to find a political solution Estonia Must Defend Democracies in EU amenable to all parties, and I am of the position, that the continuing involvement of the international Neighbourhood - President community is of determining importance in this Oct 27 - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik matter," Paet said. But he expressed dissatisfaction Ilves met with the parliament's foreign affairs with the Moldovan peacekeeping model, stating that committee to discuss the situation in Georgia it did not meet international standards by any of its and Estonia's opportunities of supporting characteristics. development of democracy in the Paet underlined that Moldova was for Estonia neighbourhood of the European Union. an important development cooperation target "When Estonia gained its freedom the country in the next few years. support of our friends was very important for the "As a small state, Estonia’s best restoration of democracy and now Estonia, in its opportunities for offering development assistance lie turn, has a moral obligation to protect the in knowledge-based consultation. I am sure that democracies that have arisen in the neighbourhood compared to other donor states, Estonia has of the European Union," Ilves said. something special to offer here, since we ourselves The president informed the foreign affairs have recently travelled down this road," the minister committee of his foreign visits during the next few said. weeks. He accepted a proposal by chairman of the Paet also visited a teacher upgrading centre foreign affairs committee Enn Eesmaa that one to which Estonia will give a computer class in the member of the ruling coalition and one of the framework of development cooperation. opposition would accompany the president during state visits. Formin: Ukrainian-Moldovan Border Ilves said that he would like to start regular Mission Should Be Increased meetings also with the parliament's EU affairs committee. Oct 28 - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said increasing the border assistance mission Estonian President Encourages Ukraine to on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border should be considered. Press on With Reforms Paet said after meeting with leaders of the Oct 30 - Estonian president's meeting with the border mission that he found that the mission was Ukrainian foreign minister focused next to necessary and successful, considering its activity bilateral relations on Ukraine's cooperation and relatively small size. However, the EU should in with the European Union and NATO, and the his opinion reconsider its opportunities of slightly president encouraged Ukraine to carry on increasing the mission. reforms. "The EU border mission cannot remain there President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said Estonia for a very long time. In order that the activity in the is ready to give all-round support to Ukraine's bid stabilization of the situation and upgrading of for membership in the EU and the North Atlantic Ukrainian border and customs officials would be of alliance, and he encouraged Ukraine to go on with maximum efficiency, the mission could have complex reforms. somewhat more people it," Paet said. "Estonia has invaluable experience in that He noted that even if he does not become field and it would be a mistake not to share them prime minister after the March elections his with our friends," the President said. continuation as adviser to the Georgian head of The Ukrainian foreign minister, Boris state is not certain. Tarasyuk, gave Ilves President Victor Yushchenko's "I have received several offers from a best regards and thanked Estonia for sincere number of places. But Georgia has grown so close to support. my heart during my service as adviser to Saakashvili The head of state said he is confident that that I'll certainly continue in some form work to the Ukrainian president's visit to Tallinn in December support Georgia," he said. will be fruitful. The Russian daily Kommersant said today a Ilves and Tarasyuk are bound by years of former adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, cooperation and friendship: the two first met almost Andrei Illarionov, might replace Laar as Saakashvili's ten years ago as then foreign ministers. counsellor. In Laar's words, Illarionov would definitely Moldovan Peacekeeping Mission Should make a good adviser to the Georgian president but Be Handed Over to EU - Estonian Formin naming him adviser would be getting ahead of things. Oct 30S - Estonia is in favour of reconsidering "Illarionov is a good friend of mine and we're the nature of the peacekeeping mission in the both staying in Georgia at the moment.," he added. breakaway Transnistria region of Moldova and Illarionov, who quit the post of Putin's bringing it under the control of the European economic adviser last December, has sharply Union, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said. criticized Russian developments. The peacekeeping mission in Transnistria Laar started work as the Georgian should be altered from a military to a police mission president's adviser on reforms in May. He helps so that it would conform to international standards, coordinate different Georgian reforms relying on the Paet said. Estonian experience. In the foreign minister's opinion, also Russia could participate in the peacekeeping mission but it President Confirms Estonia's Interest in is essential that it should be a police mission. The issue is vital also for Ukraine, Foreign Chinese Transit Trade Minister Boris Tarasyuk said, adding that it was Oct 30 - Estonia is interested in the transit of interesting for him to hear his Estonian colleague's Chinese goods, President Toomas Hendrik views on this subject.