Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 20 NO 22 JUN 11 - 17, 2010

FOREIGN NEWS FOREIGN NEWS President Ilves Hopes EU Accession Negotiations With Begin Soon 11 June - “ will support Iceland in beginning accession negotiations with the European Union as persistently and decisively as Iceland supported the restoration of the independence of the Baltic States 20 years ago,” said President , on a state visit to Iceland, at his meeting with Icelandic Head of State Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson. “Just like the experiences of Iceland in these influential organisations helped Estonia regain its position within Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, German Foreign Minister Guido the international community, we Westerwelle, Latvian Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis and Lithuanian are now ready to share Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis in , 11 June. experiences we have gained in the process of joining the EU,” he Baltic and German Foreign Ministers Discuss Opportunities to added, recalling the first seminar Develop EU- Relations on the topic, organised by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign 11 June - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with German Affairs, which took place in April Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Latvian Foreign Minister Aivis of this year. His sentiments were Ronis and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis in Tallinn. echoed in a statement by Foreign While talking about relations between the EU and Russia, Foreign Minister Minister Urmas Paet, who said Paet noted that at the Rostov meeting a good basis was created for moving that Estonia has always forward with the Modernisation Partnership, trade matters, negotiations for a supported European Union new treaty, and visa dialogue. “Estonia feels it is important to share reform enlargement, including in experiences, introduce e-services, and co-operate on the level of local Northern Europe, and welcomes governments. Regional and border area co-operation will remain a priority the beginning of Iceland’s for Estonia as a European Union border state,” stated Foreign Minister Paet. accession negotiations. They also shared positions regarding the NATO Strategic Concept. The President Ilves acknowledged foreign ministers of Estonia, , and agreed that the how the Icelandic Government is work of the group of experts was thorough and provides a good basis for not asking for any exceptions to creating a new Strategic Concept. “All of the areas that needed to be be made in the accession addressed were represented in the report, and good proposals were made process, but looks forward to the for resolving the challenges that stand before NATO,” added Foreign Minister regular and honest process that Paet. has been pursued by all the The foreign ministers also discussed the topic of energy security. Paet other countries. stated that in order to ensure EU energy security and have a joint energy policy in relation to third countries, it is necessary to diversify suppliers, Continued on page 2 create additional energy connections between member states, and create a functioning energy market in the EU. “We feel it is important to further expand the Energy Community into Eastern Partnership countries,” said Foreign Minister Paet. The Energy Community is the union of the European Dear Readers! Commission and south-eastern European nations for creating a common The Estonian Review will energy market in south-eastern Europe based on EU legislation. not appear next week. The In talking about co-operation in the Baltic Sea region, the foreign ministers agreed that it will be strengthened by the effective implementation next issue will appear on of the Baltic Sea Region Strategy. 2 July.

Iceland completed report includes 65 proposals in nine fields of activity. (continued from page 1) According to Ansip, Estonia’s primary interest in “Estonia also emphasises the importance of the implementing the report is the promotion of human Icesave case not interfering with the accession relations. Among other things, this would result in negotiations in any way, as this is an issue to be closer integration of the border areas, for example, settled in the due course of negotiations between by marketing these areas as joint tourism regions, Iceland, the , and the ,” as well as the joint planning of vocational education stressed President Ilves. in the border areas. At the same time, Estonia is At his meeting with Prime Minister of Iceland also interested in the development of cross-border Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, President Ilves stated that infrastructure. In the field of transportation, this Estonia sharing its accession experiences with would include repairing old border crossings, as well Iceland is Estonians’ duty as committed Europeans as advancing the progress of the Rail Baltica project. and Estonia’s debt of honour to Iceland, who was In order to involve NGOs and take the discussion the first to recognise the Republic of Estonia back in to a broader audience, an Estonian-Latvian co- August of 1991. operation seminar will be organised this autumn. President Ilves emphasised the fact that a small The objective of the seminar is to find expression for European country has no way of influencing the the ideas in the report in specific co-operation decisions of the EU in any way unless it is part of the projects. “We can only put the proposals in the European Union. “This is a strong argument, which report into practice through working together,” should serve to dissipate the hesitations that many Prime Minister Ansip stressed. According to the Icelanders have regarding the European Union,” said prime minister, resources from the EU Regional the Estonian head of state. Development Fund, among other things, can help to President Ilves and Prime Minister Sigurðardóttir, implement the ideas presented in the report – the also discussed the effects of the most difficult volume of the Estonian-Latvian co-operation economic and financial crisis in recent history. programme until 2013 is 580 million EEK. “Both of us, Estonia and Iceland, can see the first signs of economic recovery; however, conservative budget policies remain important, and reducing unemployment is the most essential issue to be resolved,” said the Estonian head of state. The Estonian Head of State also spoke about the plan to organise a Day of Iceland in Tallinn on 21 August 2011, which will be a part of the events organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Estonia regaining its independence and a special day to say ‘thank you’ to Iceland for supporting the independence of the Baltic states. Prime Minister of Iceland Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir gave a dinner in her summer residence in honour of President Ilves and Mrs. Evelin Ilves; the President of Iceland, Mr. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, and his wife, Mrs. Dorrit Moussaieff, were also present. President Ilves also visited the Icelandic Parliament and gave a presentation entitled “Two Decades of Independence – Estonia as a Part of the International Community” in Reykjavík. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Latvian Prime

Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, 11 June. Latvian and Estonian Prime Ministers Discuss Future Co-operation German Foreign Minister Recognises 11 June - At a meeting in Riga, Prime Minister Estonia’s Fulfilment of Euro Criteria Andrus Ansip and Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis discussed future co-operation 12 June - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, in Tallinn for a visit, said during between their two countries. The discussion was his meeting with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet based on the Report on Future Estonian-Latvian Co- operation, which was presented today. Prime that Germany has firmly supported Estonia Minister Ansip also acknowledged the success of the adopting the euro because Estonia has fulfilled all the necessary requirements. Foreign Minister management exercised by his Latvian colleague Urmas Paet said that both the European Commission during the economic crisis. “The situation in Latvia was extremely complicated, but it was stabilised as and the European Central Bank decided that Estonia had sustainably fulfilled the Maastricht criteria for a result of hard decisions being made,” Prime acceding to the euro zone. “Adhering to the policies Minister Ansip said. He added that both the Latvian and Estonian governments did everything in their that allow us to join the euro zone is one of the most important outcomes of Estonia’s long-term power to allow their countries to recover as quickly economic policy,” said Paet. Foreign Minister Paet as possible and continue their development. also noted that Estonia is convinced that the euro The Report on Estonian-Latvian Co-operation was zone will emerge from the present crisis stronger ordered by the foreign ministers of both countries in than before. order to get a thorough overview of the co-operative potential of the two countries. The recently Paet said that Estonia highly values its defence submit the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and security policy-related co-operation with with Serbia to their parliaments for ratification. Germany, which has become much more frequent In discussing the situation in Somalia and during the past years. “Germany is the first nation developments in the fight against piracy, the EU to participate in the Baltic air policing mission three foreign ministers commended Operation ATALANTA times,” said Paet, adding that we welcome for its successes in deterring, preventing and Germany’s readiness to do it again in the future. disrupting pirates’ activities and agreed to prolong “Close communication between Estonia and the operation for two more years, until December Germany is important to Estonia,” Paet added. 2012. “It is essential to avoid impunity for crimes of piracy and achieve agreements with countries in the European Union to Help Victims of region regarding the prosecution of pirates,” said Kyrgyzstan Conflict Foreign Minister Paet. During the General Affairs Council, the European 14 June - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet Union foreign ministers prepared for the European participated in a meeting of the European Council taking place on 17 June, where the focus will Union foreign ministers in . The be on the Europe 2020 strategy, preparations for European Union foreign ministers discussed today’s the G20 meeting, and issues regarding the co- violent situation in Kyrgyzstan and condemned the ordination of economic policy. Foreign Minister use of violence. Foreign Minister Paet confirmed that Urmas Paet stated that for Estonia, the most the EU plans to begin administering humanitarian important decision of the European Council is the aid immediately. The European Union Foreign Affairs one regarding Estonia’s accession to the euro zone. Council strongly called on Kyrgyzstan to take steps to create a stable government. Paet stated that it is Estonia and Great Britain Have Good Co- essential that Kyrgyzstan’s neighbouring states also help refugees and contribute to settling the situation operation in Afghanistan there. 15 June - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met in The European Union foreign policy leaders Luxembourg with the new Foreign Secretary of continued to talk about the unstable situation in the United Kingdom William Hague, with whom Gaza and the incident with the flotilla carrying he discussed Estonia-Great Britain co- humanitarian aid. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet operation in Afghanistan and bilateral believes that it is extremely important to carry out a relations. Paet and Hague were satisfied with the complete and unbiased investigation to clarify the good co-operation between Estonia and Great Britain circumstances of the attack on the flotilla taking in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Foreign Minister humanitarian aid to Gaza. The European Union Paet stated that the co-operation of Estonia’s civil Foreign Affairs Council called for the border crossing and military representatives with their British points to be immediately, permanently and without colleagues in Afghanistan is very good. conditions opened up to the movement of Paet and Hague expressed hope that the NATO humanitarian aid, goods and people into and out of military strategy in Afghanistan will be successful. the Gaza Strip. The European Union foreign “Consistency and long-term projects are the only ministers feel that a long-term and lasting solution way we can move forward in Afghanistan and hand to the conflict must be based on the co-existence of responsibility for managing the nation over to the the two nations. Afghans,” Paet noted. “It is also important to While talking about the situation in Iran, the EU improve the skills of the Afghan officials and state foreign minister discussed the implementation of UN government so they can successfully participate in Security Council Resolution nr 1929 approved on 9 international co-operation,” said Foreign Minister June, with which the arms embargo, financial Paet. sanctions and travel restrictions will be expanded. Foreign Minister Paet added that Estonia will They also prepared the declaration on Iran for the continue to contribute in Afghanistan within the European Council taking place on 17 June. The EU limits of the Riigikogu mandate. “Estonia will also foreign ministers agreed that the human rights continue to actively implement development co- situation in Iran still requires attention. operation projects in Afghanistan,” he added. During their meeting, the foreign policy leaders Paet said that Estonia-Britain relations are very also confirmed the European perspective of the close and active. Foreign Minister Paet issued an Western Balkan countries. Foreign Minister Urmas invitation for his British colleague to visit Estonia, Paet stated that the success of each state depends which William Hague accepted. on the nation’s own efforts towards acceding to the European Union. “It is essential to intensify the pace Paet Discussed Situation in Middle East of reforms, in particular related to the rule of law, With Foreign Minister of Palestinian including the fight against corruption and organised Authority crime, while also strengthening co-operation among the nations in the Western Balkan region,” Paet 17 June - Today in Tallinn Estonian Foreign noted. Minister Urmas Paet and Foreign Minister of While talking about Serbia, the chief prosecutor the Palestinian National Authority Riad Malki of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former will sign the protocol for holding political Yugoslavia (ICTY) Serge Brammertz gave the consultations between Estonia and Palestine. European Union foreign ministers an overview of Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the Estonian Serbia’s ongoing co-operation with the ICTY, Foreign Ministry has already started development characterising it as generally good, although war co-operation projects in Palestine to share Estonia’s criminals Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić still have experiences in the information technology and e- not been apprehended. Foreign Minister Paet government sectors. confirmed that the EU foreign ministers agreed to The Palestinians expressed interest in Estonia’s e-state experiences in 2008. “The Estonian Foreign

3 Ministry began sharing our e-state experiences in Baden-Württemberg Makes Estonia One order to help with building up the rule of law system of Six Primary Economic Co-operation in Palestine,” Paet noted. “Since 2009 there have Partners been two development co-operation projects related to the information technology sector going on in 17 June - While meeting with entrepreneurs of Palestine. The goal of one is to prepare for the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, establishing an X-Road system in the Palestinian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that the close National Authority. The other, being carried out with ties between Estonia and Baden-Württemberg co-financing by UNESCO, is helping develop the use will gain momentum thanks to the decision of of information and communication technology in the Baden-Württemberg’s foreign trade Palestinian education system,” Paet stated. organisation to make Estonia one of its six In addition to bilateral co-operation, the Estonian economic co-operation partners. and Palestinian foreign ministers also talked about Paet met with big industrialists and active matters related to the Middle East peace process. exporters interested in Estonia’s innovations and “Estonia supports resolving the conflict as quickly as developments in Baden-Württemberg on 16 June, possible and achieving the peaceful co-existence of and noted that Estonia is interested in co-operation both states,” said Foreign Minister Paet. “We are in many fields with one of Germany’s most satisfied with the initiative of the United States to prosperous and economically successful states. “The mediate negotiations between Palestine and Israel. first official contacts in bilateral communication Hopefully the mediated negotiations will lead to between Estonia and Baden-Württemberg were direct contacts and sustainable solutions between established during President ’s state Palestine and Israel; however, the support of the visit to Germany in 2000, and the development of international community and monitoring of the bilateral economic co-operation still has potential,” situation will still be necessary in the long-term,” he said Paet. “The Estonian Foreign Ministry is focusing added. more and more actively on the interests of Estonian During the meeting Paet confirmed that Estonia entrepreneurs abroad and supports finding co- supports the right to self-determination for the operation opportunities with potential co-operation Palestinian people, as well as a two-state solution. partners,” he added. The foreign minister stated that the creation of an Paet also told the Baden-Württemberg independent Palestinian state would help to achieve entrepreneurs about Estonia’s preparations for lasting peace in the Middle East. “Estonia would also joining the euro zone and added that being part of like closer contacts with Palestine. This is why we the euro zone will simplify the development of are signing the agreement to hold political bilateral economic relations. consultations with Palestine,” he added. Paet stated Baden-Württemberg is the state where the Baltic that the poor humanitarian situation in Gaza needs Sea Region and Danube Strategies meet. Foreign to be resolved quickly without damaging the security Minister Paet stated that the Baltic Sea Region interests of Israel. “The humanitarian crisis caused Strategy is a good example and model for the by the Gaza blockade needs a quick solution, as the creation of new European Union regional strategies. continuation of the situation endangers efforts to “Regional strategies, like both the Baltic Sea and move forward with the peace process,” he asserted. Danube Strategies, give good opportunities for The Palestinian foreign minister thanked Estonia facilitating the free movement of the four freedoms for its contribution into building up Palestine. of the EU – people, goods, services, and capital – “Estonia has successfully launched the sharing of e- and support discussions on the future of the internal state-related knowledge with Palestine,” he said. market, including the topic of a digital internal The Estonian foreign minister confirmed that market,” Paet noted. Estonia is prepared to continue supporting the e- state programmes of Palestine. Estonia is also Visa Freedom for Estonians Would inviting 15 Palestinian diplomats to participate in Intensify Estonia- Relations courses at the Estonian School of Diplomacy. “We are also prepared to contribute to the establishment 17 June - During his meeting with Brazilian of Palestine’s own diplomatic school,” Paet added. Foreign Minister Celso Amorim today, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that hopefully citizens of all European Union nations will soon have visa-free access to Brazil, particularly since visa freedom for Brazilian citizens travelling to all EU nations has already been in effect for years. The Estonian and Brazilian foreign ministers agreed that communication between Estonia and Brazil has intensified during the past few years, but there is still room for development in business and cultural contacts. Foreign Minister Paet expressed hope that the European Union-Brazil visa freedom agreement would be signed at the EU-Brazil summit in July. “In order to put an end to the unequal treatment of European Union citizens, the European

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Foreign Union must conclude the visa freedom agreement Minister of the Palestinian National Authority with Brazil as quickly as possible. Achieving visa-free Riad Malki, 17 June. travel to Brazil for citizens of Estonia, Latvia, Cyprus and Malta has taken far too long,” Paet noted. Brazil is Estonia’s most important trade partner among Latin American countries. “Estonian

4 entrepreneurs have growing interest in closer committed the aggression; and we have not dealt contacts with their Brazilian colleagues in the oil with the possibility of asymmetry, i.e., what if an shale energy, information and communication effectively military action was perpetrated in its technology, and tourism sectors,” said Paet. Foreign entirety by a small group of unknown hackers. Minister Urmas Paet said that Brazil is one of the Before we can talk about the hardware and software EU’s most important partners in Latin America in side of cyber defence and cyber warfare, we have to regards to both political relations and economic co- develop a conceptual consensus.” operation. President Ilves said that since our critical Today in Tallinn Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas infrastructure, electrical grids and transportation and Paet and Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim mobile phone networks are so enmeshed with and signed an agreement for holding political tied to the internet, any open society is vulnerable. consultations between Estonia and Brazil. The “As much of our critical infrastructure is also foreign ministers also discussed Estonia and Brazil’s transnational – we require a transnational approach. IT-related co-operation in restoring the Haitian We need to make our transnational computer- state. dependent critical infrastructure resilient, that is to say, if not impervious then at least maximally shielded from the dangers of an attack,” President Ilves stressed. The Conference on Cyber Conflict brought together more than 300 computer security specialists from 39 countries. During the event, experts from government, private sector and the academia will discuss cyber security in three parallel conference tracks: strategy, law and technical. Upcoming keynote speakers include renowned cryptographer Bruce Schneier and former cyber security adviser to the US president, Melissa Hathaway. The Conference on Cyber Conflict unites Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Brazilian two highly-regarded events that CCD COE held in Foreign Minister Celso Amorim signing the 2009: the Conference on Cyber Warfare in June and agreement for holding political consultations, the Legal and Policy Conference in September. The 17 June. conference will end on Friday 18 June. The Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence is a NATO-accredited multinational DOMESTIC NEWS organisation dealing with education, consultation, Ilves Opens Conference on Cyber Conflict lessons learned, research and development in the field of cyber security. The centre’s mission is to enhance the capability, cooperation and information sharing among NATO, NATO nations and Partners in cyber defence.

Second Book of Jakobson Commission’s Review Presented at Finnish National Archives 14 June - Today the Estonian Embassy in will present the second book of the Estonian International Commission for Investigating Crimes Against Humanity, “Estonia Since 1944”, in the Finnish National Archives. The book gives an overview of oppressive President Toomas Hendrik Ilves opening the activities carried out by the in occupied conference on cyber conflict, 16 June. Estonia between 1944 and 1991. The presentation will be opened by Estonian 16 June - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves Ambassador to Merle Pajula, director of the opened the third international conference Finnish National Archives Jussi Nuorteva, and organised by the NATO-accredited Cooperative chairman of the investigative commission Minister Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. In his Max Jakobson. A greeting has been sent to the opening speech, President Ilves touched upon presentation by Finnish President Tarja Halonen. the asymmetry of cyber threats and other A presentation on the activities and the results of issues. the investigation carried out by the commission led According to President Ilves there have already by Minister Jakobson will be given by the leader of been cases of actual or prevented aggression the commission’s investigative committee Toomas against nation-states carried out in cyberspace: Hiio. Members of the investigative committee Meelis “Were they to have been carried out with kinetic Saueauk and Indrek Paavle will talk about the weapons, we in NATO would be faced minimally with arrests and deportations carried out in Estonia by an Article 4 and most likely with an Article 5 Soviet security establishments in the 1940s and 50s scenario.” However, as President Ilves said, “we and the actions of the German security have no conception of how to define aggression in establishments in accordance with their occupation cyberspace or redefine it for cyberspace; we lack regime from 1941-44. clear attribution to any political entity; we lack a The review “Estonia Since 1944” is the result of response doctrine to apply were we to know who ten years of work by the investigative commission

5 summoned together by President Lennart Meri. The book comprises five parts. In the first part an President Participated in International overview is given of the historical situation, in the Large-Scale BALTOPS Exercise second the oppressive organs of the Soviet regime are described, and in the third and longest part of 15 June - Today President Toomas Hendrik the book the crimes against humanity committed in Ilves participated in the international large- Estonia during the Soviet occupation are described. scale BALTOPS exercise and observed the The fourth part of the book contains descriptions of Estonian and US defence force members the prisons and prison camps in occupied Estonia practicing landing exercises from Hara Gulf. and the fifth part contains biographies, a President Ilves said, “BALTOPS is a historical bibliography and appendices. exercise, as it is not only the largest but also The commission, which worked from 1998 to perhaps the longest-running exercise on the Baltic th 2009, included in addition to Minister Max Jakobson Sea, now in its 39 year.” also former Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann- According to the Estonian head of state, BALTOPS Jensen, security analyst Dr. Paul Goble, member of is a good example of the successful rearrangement the board of the American Jewish Committee of NATO’s defence traditions to meet today’s Nicholas Lane, George Washington University security situation. "Who would have guessed just professor Peter Reddaway, chairman of the scientific twenty years ago that units of Estonia and the council of the Russian organisation “Memorial” United States of America would be organising a joint Arseni Roginsky, and former Bundestag member landing exercise on the northern shores of Estonia,” Professor Baron Wolfgand von Stetten. The first President Ilves said. book of the International Commission for The USA and the countries located around the Investigating Crimes Against Humanity, which Baltic Sea, 12 countries in all, are participating in addressed the years 1940-1944, was published in the BALTOPS navy exercise. Training involving the 2006. landing and reception of the allied forces will be Before the presentation, Ambassador Merle organised this year within the framework of the Pajula will present Finnish author Sofi Oksanen with exercise for the first time in Estonia and Latvia. the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana IV Class, Approximately 1 500 Defence Forces members from which the President of the Republic bestowed on Estonia, the USA, and NATO staff will participate in Oksanen in recognition of her work introducing the Estonian stage of BALTOPS. Estonian history. Her novel “Purge” and her article In the course of today’s exercise, the united unit compilation compiled together with Imbi Paju “Fear of the Marines and the Defence League reached the Behind Us All” address the consequences of the coast near Loksa Harbour from the US navy ship Soviet and German occupations in Estonia from Gunston Hall, using Amtrak amphibians. The MIG-29 many different points of view. fighter planes of the Polish Air Forces, which are currently conducting Baltic air surveillance, conducted a fly-over during the landing process. DEFENCE NEWS Defence Minister: BALTOPS Testifies to Meeting of National Defence Council Took Credibility of Collective Defence Place in Kadriorg 15 June - The landing manoeuvres conducted 15 June - A meeting of the National Defence under the aegis of the international military Council took place yesterday at the invitation exercises BALTOPS taking place in Loksa were of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Several observed by the Defence Minister Jaak issues related to national defence and its Aaviksoo, who noted that the exercises organisational aspects were discussed at the showed NATO’s clear intent of fulfilling its meeting. One of the matters discussed involved primary purpose. “The exercises conducted today bringing national defence expenditure up to 2% of bears testimony to the fact that NATO is not a mere GDP by 2012; all the members of the National formality existing only on paper, but an alliance that Defence Council supported the idea. is prepared and ready to fulfil its primary duty of “I would like to recognise the Riigikogu and the guaranteeing the security of the national territories government, who have not allowed the rate of of its member states,” the defence minister noted defence expenditure to GDP to drop considerably, after observing the exercises. even under the tough budget conditions; “It is in a way symbolic that the landing that was consequently, Estonia has maintained a strong conducted today, took place on the very same spot national defence,” said President Ilves. “The plan of as the first naval incursion during the Estonian War the current government – to bring the level of of Independence 91 years ago. If back then the defence-related expenditure up to the long-expected Estonian landing forces were augmented by , and long-promised rate of 2% of GDP – shows that then today we witnessed a joint operation between we are not just keeping national defence on a solid members of the National Defence League and US level, but we can also modernise and develop it Marines,” Aaviksoo added. The defence minister even further.” pointed to the fact that “in the contemporary world, The National Defence Council is an advisory body the provision of security is ever more a collective of the President of the Republic. The Council effort.” membership includes the speaker of the Riigikogu, Under the exercise scenario, the units are tasked prime minister, chairman of the National Defence with clearing the area of enemy activities during the Committee of the Riigikogu, chairman of the Foreign course of the exercises taking place until 17-18 Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, foreign minister, June, thereby facilitating the creation of conditions defence minister, minister of finance, minister of the for the secure provision of humanitarian relief to the interior, minister of justice, and commander of the conflict zone. Defence Forces.

6 BALTOPS are the most extensive military invention would make it possible assess how the exercises in the Baltic Sea region, involving around restoration of circulation proceeds in tissues after an 3000 military personnel from 12 countries. For the operation. first time since the onset of the exercises the To take the method into use, it is necessary to manoeuvres conducted include landings and develop medical instruments. According to earlier receiving allied forces in Estonia and Latvia. information, they are being developed by the Eliko technology development centre.

ECONOMIC NEWS Estonia Tied With in 2nd Place on European Parliament Backs Estonia’s European Sustainability Scoreboard Switch to Euro in 2011 17 June (BNS) - Estonia and Denmark are tied in 16 June (BNS) - The European Parliament by a second place in the latest table ranking big majority of votes approved MEP Edward European countries by the European Economic Scicluna's report on Estonia's changeover to Sustainability Index (EESI). In the EESI the euro currency from the start of next year. scoreboard for 2007, Estonia was in first place. The report was approved with 589 votes to 40. The table for 2010, compiled like the previous Previously the recommendation for Estonia to be such survey by the European Policy Center (EPC) admitted to the euro zone was approved by the think tank, is topped by . After Estonia and Denmark comes Finland in 4th place. Lithuania ranks European Parliament's economic and monetary th rd affairs committee by a vote of 40 to two with one 19 and Latvia 23 . At the bottom of the table abstention on 2 June. ranking EU member states come , and The rapporteur, Maltese Labor MEP Edward , in that order. The think tank describes the Scicluna, wrote in the document that Estonia acted latter three countries as unsustainable. well in taking prompt action during the eruption of The index is constructed using six domains: the economic crisis, cutting costs and increasing the deficits, national debt, growth, competitiveness as flexibility of the labour market. The report notes that expressed in the world competitiveness rankings of Estonia has fulfilled the criteria, as a result of the World Economic Forum, governance/corruption determined, credible and sustained efforts by the as expressed in the perceived corruption index of government and the Estonian people. It calls on the Transparency International, and the cost of ageing Estonian government to maintain its prudent fiscal expressed in future outlays for pensions, health policy stance, together with its overall stability- care, education and employment. oriented policies, in the face of future macroeconomic imbalances and price stability risks. Ericsson Eesti More Than Triples Turnover It also calls on the Commission and the ECB to in 2009 consider all aspects when recommending the final 14 June (BNS) - The turnover of the Estonian exchange rate for the Estonian kroon. communications systems sale and maintenance The next body that has to endorse Estonia's euro and telecommunications networks planning zone entry from the start of next year is the company Ericsson Eesti grew 3.4-fold year on European Council, which will gather in Brussels on year in 2009, reaching 1.51 billion kroons (EUR Thursday. The final decision on Estonia's entry into 96.5 mln). Net profit soared 85.6% to 36.9 million the euro zone will be made by the Council of kroons. European Union finance ministers ECOFIN on 13 Sales to member states of the EU accounted for July. 1.5 billion kroons of the total sales revenue, including 312.8 million kroons generated in Estonia. TTÜ Gets US Patent for Materials Study The corresponding figures in 2008 were 442.9 Method million and 389.3 million kroons, respectively. Sales 11 June (BNS) - Estonia's Tallinn University of to non-EU countries made up 11.9 million kroons. Technology (TTÜ) has received a US patent for The company's largest customer beside the parent a materials study method that makes it group was the Estonian mobile communications possible to establish the properties of operator EMT, the report said. substances, materials and structures. One of On 1 August 2009, Ericsson acquired production the authors of the invention, TTU Professor Mart activities of the electronic components manufacturer Min, Friday told BNS that this time the Estonians Elcoteq on the basis of which its Tallinn plant started would attempt to keep the invention in Estonia and making broadband equipment for networks. The prepare it for serial production. transaction boosted the company's personnel by 1 According to Min, it has been said that the US 243 people. Ericsson Eesti expanded its services patent of the invention could be the first in the segment in Estonia into maintenance of mobile Estonian period of the university. Min suspects this communications networks. According to the report, could be the first Estonian US patent since the export of services continued growing last year. restoration of independence (1991). The company's investments totalled 166.9 million Min said that there were agreements with some kroons in 2009. Most of the money was spent on small companies for the preparation of the invention purchasing production equipment and fittings. The for serial production. Earlier Min has told BNS that it company's payroll costs amounted to 112 million could cost in the range of 10 million kroons (EUR kroons last year. The remuneration of the 640 000). management totalled 10.2 million kroons. The invention makes it possible to decide the In view of expansion of production, Ericsson Eesti properties of a substance, structure or material on targets turnover growth in 2010. The company the basis of an electrical simulation signal. One of exports most of its high-tech production. Ericsson the structures could be man, starting with cells, cell will increase the output of 4G mobile cultures, tissues or organs. For example, the communications systems equipment this year.

7 Oks and Edur received the decoration for the SW Railways Sees Passenger Numbers development of cultural relations between Great Grow in May Britain and Estonia and for furthering the art of dance, the British Embassy informed BNS. 14 June (BNS) - Edelaraudtee (SW Railway), the Oks (Oaks) and Edur were dancers of the English operator of domestic passenger trains in National Ballet since 1990 until their return to Estonia, carried 159 151 passengers in May, or Estonia last summer. The embassy said that during 4 800 more than during the same month last nine years, Oks and Edur performed ballet at the year. The number of passengers increased for the highest level in the English National Ballet. third month running, the company said. The British Embassy expressed the hope that The total number of passengers served in the cultural relations between Estonia and Great Britain first five months of this year was narrowly short of would continue developing now that Oks and Edur 700 000 but showed a growth of 3.1% compared to were working as artistic directors of the Estonian the same period of 2009. The Tallinn-Tartu service National Ballet. had 9% more passengers than at the same time last year. The Tallinn-Türi-Viljandi service remains the company's most popular operation, accounting for one third of the total number of passengers, Edelaraudtee said. Since the beginning of the year trains running on that route have carried 248 178 people in all. The Tallinn-Tartu service had 180 339 passengers. ESTONIAN REVIEW The Tallinn-Tapa-Narva service had 71 217, the (ISSN 1023-1951) Tallinn-Rapla service 69 059, the Tallinn-Parnu Is issued by the Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs service 67 474, the Tallinn-Valga service 52 295, ISLANDI VÄLJAK 1, TALLINN, ESTONIA 15049 and the Tartu-Orava service 9 296 passengers. TEL +372 637 7600 In all, Edelaraudtee carried 698 398 passengers in FAX +372 637 7617 the January-May period. Estonian Review is also available over the internet at http://www.vm.ee To subscribe, please contact: [email protected] CULTURAL NEWS Estonian Review is compiled in co-operation with Exhibit of New Estonian Design Opened in the Baltic News Service http://www.bns.ee/ Helsinki Embassy

16 June - An exhibit of new Estonian product designs called “Fresh Takes” will be opened in the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki. The display, which was done in co-operation with the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, presents a fresh design image formed by the clear concepts of eye- catching Estonian designers and their works. Estonian design today is characterised on the one hand by individuality, creativity and practicality, but on the other hand it also frequently includes connections to tradition and heritage. These two aspects are tied by playful re-imagining. The goal of the exhibit is to show through everyday items the ability of Estonian designers to be innovative, change existing notions and shatter clichés, but also to refer to what has been, using it intelligently and developing it further. The chosen designers have the opportunity to introduce themselves as proponents of innovative ideas that reconsider traditions and break convention. The exhibit was compiled for the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki by Kai Lobjakas and designed by Ketli Tiitsar of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design. Design fans and all other passers-by can get a first glimpse of the exhibit by simply casting a glance into the embassy’s yard while passing by.

Queen Elizabeth II Decorates Estonian Ballet Dancers 15 June (BNS) - Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) to former dancers of the English National Ballet Age Oks and Toomas Edur from Estonia on her official birthday.

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