Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 18 NO 25 JUN 11- 17, 2008 TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER IN TALLINN FOREIGN NEWS Ansip: EU must Continue Ratifying Lisbon Treaty Jun 16 - Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said Estonia was in favour of continuing ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, although Ireland rejected it at a referendum. Ansip made the statement in the European Union affairs committee of the Estonian parliament when he informed the committee of Estonia's positions at the European Council. The prime minister said that, although the result of the referendum was a disappointment, the decision of the Irish should be respected. Ali Babacan and Urmas Paet in Tallinn, 13 June. He added that, although the answer to the question how to Starting in Mid-July, Estonian Citizens can Travel to continue was being expected above Turkey Visa-Free all from the Irish, it was not a problem for Ireland alone but for June 13 – Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his the whole European Union. Turkish colleague Ali Babacan, in Estonia for a visit. The two "We cannot agree with appeals discussed bilateral relations, including the implementation of that Ireland must now drop out visa freedom for Estonian citizens, and Turkey’s accession from the European Union or freeze negotiations with the European Union. its membership," Ansip said. In accordance with an agreement between Estonia and Turkey, The prime minister said that Estonian citizens will be able to travel to Turkey visa-free starting from Estonia was in favour of all the the middle of July. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet noted that Turkey’s countries continuing ratification of popularity among Estonians is increasing with each year. “Considering the Lisbon Treaty. the great number of charter planes flying from Estonia to Turkey, one can "All the member countries must assume that Turkey is currently one of Estonians’ favourite destinations,” have the opportunity of stating Paet said. In 2006, the number of Estonians who went to Turkey on their opinions concerning the vacation was 16,000, and last year the sum was 25,000. Lisbon Treaty," he underlined. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan confirmed that at the moment Due to its constitution Ireland Turkey still needs to complete some legal procedures necessary for visa was the only member country of freedom and that, beginning in mid-July, Estonian citizens will no longer the union obliged to put the Lisbon need visas to travel to Turkey. Treaty to a referendum with the The foreign ministers also discussed Turkey’s accession negotiations with result that 53.4 percent were the European Union, and Paet expressed his pleasure over the fact that, next against it and 46.6 percent in week, two new chapters of negotiations will begin. “Turkey needs to be favour. given a fair chance in negotiations, and we hope that reforms in Turkey will Before Ireland's referendum the continue at the same pace,” Paet emphasised. treaty was ratified by 18 countries. Estonian Foreign Minister and his Turkish colleague Ali Babacan also The Estonian parliament did it last unveiled a memorial plaque at the location where the former Turkish Wednesday, and also Austria, embassy in Tallinn was situated from 1935-1938. Paet stressed the Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, historically good relations between Estonia and Turkey, noting that Turkey France, Germany, Greece, was one of the few nations to open its embassy in Estonia before World War Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, II. He also voiced appreciation of Turkey's non-recognition of the Soviet Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, annexation of Estonia. Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, During his visit, Ali Babacan also met with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip Slovenia have ratified the treaty. and The chairman of the Estonian parliament's foreign affairs committee, Sven Mikser. FOREIGN NEWS those who are about to go there, are directly defending Estonia's security interests," he observed. Within Next Three Years Estonia Will Bronze Stars were presented to Maj. Eduard Support Afghanistan with Almost 20 Nikkari, chief of the Tallinn Company of the Kaitseliit Million Kroons (Defence League) voluntary corps, Maj. Artur June 12 – Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet Lillenurm, professor of the National Defence College, participated in the International Conference in commander of the ESTPLA-13 infantry platoon Lt. Support of Afghanistan in Paris. The focus of Meelis Jõemaa and Sgt. Maj. Rauno Koivistoinen from the conference was building up the civil society the same unit. in Afghanistan. Army Commendation Medals were handed to In talking about the effectiveness of development members of ESTPLA-12, 13 and 14 and to staff aid for Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet officers who served in Iraq side by side with US emphasized the importance of the role of Kai Eide, the military. UN’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, in coordinating the The Estonian defence forces have been co-operation of international organizations. participating in the US-led operation Iraqi Freedom “Afghanistan has many donors, and in order to since June 2003. achieve more successful results, the Afghan government and the international community must Outgoing Czech Ambassador Awarded work together,” said Paet. He added that Estonia is Terra Mariana Cross prepared to contribute to the reconstruction of Jun 17 - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Afghanistan for as long as the country needs aid. Ilves conferred Class One Order of the Terra “Within the next three years, we plan to increase our Mariana Cross on the outgoing Czech contribution to Afghanistan to equal 15 to 20 million Ambassador, Milos Lexa. kroons,” Paet stated. Lexa handed over his credentials on 30 September In his speech, Paet also spent time talking about 2004. the most important issues in Afghanistan’s Pre-war diplomatic relations between Estonia and reconstruction—the country’s economic development, Czechoslovakia were interrupted in connection with reforming the legal sector, and battling corruption. the occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. Paet feels that in order for Afghanistan to develop, The relations were restored on 9 September 1991 attention must be paid to promoting an and as of 1 January 1993 were automatically enterprise-friendly business environment and a transferred to Czechoslovakia's successor countries. transparent tax system. “This would help with both A Czech embassy in Tallinn was opened in May advancing the economy and increasing the 2000. employment rate,” Paet said. “It is very important to involve local Afghan businesses in this process and to listen to their suggestions,” he added. The Estonian Estonian President Appoints Three foreign minister also noted that the entire legal Ambassadors system in Afghanistan must be reformed, as this will Jun 16 - Estonian President Toomas Hendrik help bring investments into the nation. Ilves signed a decision on the appointment of Paet also spoke in his speech about how corruption ambassadors to Russia, Germany and Belgium. in Afghanistan is directly tied to narcotics trade, which Simmu Tiik will become the ambassador to Russia, is extremely dangerous to the country’s security. “In William Mart Laanemäe the ambassador to Germany battling corruption, we must show the population that and Karin Jaani the ambassador to Belgium. even the highest state officials will not be granted Ilves recalled the present ambassador to Russia impunity,” Paet emphasized. He added that a special Marina Kaljurand, to Germany Clyde Kull and to tribunal could be created to combat against Belgium Malle-Talvet Mustonen. corruption and narcotics trade. DEFENCE NEWS US Ambassador Presents Medals to Estonian Soldiers for Service in Iraq June 11 - US Ambassador Stanley Davis Phillips presented medals to Estonian soldiers for service in Iraq. The ambassador handed Bronze Stars and Army Commendation Medals to Estonian military who served in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. The list of recipients contained 56 names four of whom were awarded Bronze Stars. The ambassador said it was a great honour to present the decorations to Estonian defence personnel and thank them for their service in Iraq. Estonian soldiers in Iraq are held in high regard and these decorations show US army leaders' respect for their achievements, he said. The commander of Estonian Defence Forces Lt. Chief of staff Col. Neeme Väli said Estonian troops Gen. Ants Laaneots and the NATO Supreme earned the medals with hard service. Allied Commander Transformation Gen. James "The soldiers who have served and fought in Iraq, N. Mattis. Estonian Defence Forces those who are returning home from there today and NATO General: All Member Countries The operation in Afghanistan, including the should Accede to Cyberdefence Center support to the development of the Afghan security forces and NATO’s activities and the security situation Jun 16 - Gen. James N. Mattis, NATO Supreme in Kosovo were discussed at the meeting of NATO Allied Commander Transformation, said all defence ministers. The development of NATO’s member countries of the alliance should accede military capabilities and defence-related to the NATO cyberdefence centre now being transformation, including the development of air established in Estonia. transport capabilities and the more extensive use of Now on a visit to Estonia, Mattis told reporters helicopters in the areas of operations were also after meeting with commander of the Estonian discussed. defence forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots that he found all the NATO countries should accede to the Defence Forces to Get two Exercise Fields cyberdefence centre. "If you are not interested in cyberattacks, you can Jun 12 - The Government passed a resolution be sure cyberattacks are interested in you," Mattis establishing the Sirgala and Kikepera Defence said. Also Laaneots found that all NATO member Force exercise fields and decided to transfer the countries, as well as partner countries of the alliance, land of the exercise fields to the Ministry of should accede to the cyberdefence centre.