Overview of Bilateral Relations

Overview of bilateral relations

North America, Western and Southern Europe The excellent state of relations between Estonia and the United States of America was confi rmed by many occasions during 2008. On the multilateral level, the co-operation between the two states was refl ected by joint actions aimed at ensuring security in Afghanistan and Iraq. We share similar views on the issues of NATO enlargement and enhancing security in Europe. During the Georgian confl ict, the similar views of Estonia and the US on defending common values were especially clearly highlighted. US Secre- tary of Defence Robert Gates attended the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council that was held in Tallinn in November.

Of visits held in 2008, one should highlight the working visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to the US in April, where he met with US Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and also attended the Baltic Gala, a charitable event hosted by the United States-Baltic Foundation (USBF). The presidential visit was completed with a trip to Florida, where he gave a speech at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Juhan Parts, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, was also on a working visit to the US in April, during which he visited the famous informa- tion technology centre Silicon Valley and established contacts with local enterprises. The dynamics of Estonia-US economic relations are characterised by the fact that there is now an offi ce of Enterprise Estonia, a bridgehead of Estonian business in the US, located in the tech incubator of Silicon Valley. The opening of such an offi ce is an indi- cation that the co-operation between the companies of both countries will soon reach a new level and demonstrates that the Estonian IT industry has the potential to be a part of the global processes of this industry. A co-operation agreement was signed in De- cember for promoting bilateral co-operation in the fi eld of research and development.

The relations between Estonia and the US are based on a strong foundation that has taken years to be laid and that became even stronger in 2008. As a proof of improving bilateral communication, the US included citizens of Estonia in its Visa Waiver Pro- gramme starting on 17 November 2008. Successful implementation of this programme required active and productive co-operation from both countries throughout the whole year. In connection with that, Justice Minister Rein Lang and Interior Minister Jüri Pihl visited Washington in September to sign a bilateral agreement on co-operation in preventing serious crimes as one of the preconditions for joining the Visa Waiver Programme. Michael Chertoff, US Secretary for Homeland Security, visited Estonia in April and October to discuss visa freedom issues.

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The anniversary of the Republic of Estonia was celebrated with a variety of events on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. The Tõnu Naissoo Quartet and vocal ensemble Noorkuu introduced Estonian music in New York, Washington and elsewhere. The Singing Revolution, the documentary on how Estonians sang their way to freedom, which was produced by Americans Jim and Maureen Tusty, was shown in US cinemas and was extremely well received by audiences, drawing raving praise from US fi lm critics.

The peak of bilateral relations between Estonia and Canada in 2008 was the work- ing visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to Canada in May. Both the offi cial part of the visit and meetings with the Estonian community took place in a very open and cordial atmosphere. The President visited Canada in connection with the annual meeting of Canada’s Baltic Society, where he was the keynote speaker. The President also had meetings with Canada’s defence minister, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Peter van Loan, and speakers of both houses of the Parliament. The Canadian Governor General is expected to visit Estonia in 2009.

Estonia and the United Kingdom continued active co-operation in the framework of both the European Union and NATO in 2008. The two countries share the same positions on most issues in the EU, which is why Estonia and the UK have become long-term allies in developing EU policies.

Bilateral relations in 2008 peaked with the visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to Wales and London in October. The President met with HM Queen Elizabeth II, made a speech in the Welsh Assembly, met with First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan, and attended several events as the patron of Walestonia, a cultural festival dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. In London, the President met the leader of the opposition David Came- ron and made a public speech in the London School of Economics as part of the academic series European Security Architecture – A Paradigm Shift? President Ilves also presented the opening speech at business seminars in Wales and London, and visited Estonian soldiers who were undergoing rehabilitation treatment in the Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre.

In the fi eld of other bilateral visits, Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet visited his counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Miliband, in London in March. Mr Miliband wel- comed the Estonian initiative to set up a group of EU Member States that were contribut- ing to the peacekeeping effort in the southern part of Afghanistan. The issues discussed at the meeting included NATO reforms and enlargement, as well as EU-Russia relations. In addition to joint operations in Southern Afghanistan, one of the outcomes of our bilateral defence co-operation was the procurement of minesweepers. All three minesweeping vessels ordered from the UK have by now been delivered to Estonia. At the end of the year, Tallinn was called by the HMS Edinburgh to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the arrival of the Royal Navy to Tallinn, when they came to assist Estonia in securing independence.

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Estonian cultural events in the UK in 2008 were dominated by the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, which culminated, as noted above, with the Walestonia festival in Wales. Some events were also organised in Scotland and in other parts of the country. Of the numerous cultural events, mention should be made of two musical performances – the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir performed the concert series Musical Gift in October and the ensemble Vox Clamantis did a UK concert tour in February. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Estonian Minister of Education and Science Tõnis Lukas visited London in February and met with the British Deputy Secretary of Education Lord Andrew Adonis. The two ministers discussed the use of modern information technology in education, integration, and other issues.

The bilateral relations between Estonia and Germany in 2008 were highlighted by the high number of visits. The most noteworthy of them was the visit of Federal Chan- cellor Angela Merkel to Tallinn in August. The meetings of the chancellor with the Estonian president and prime minister focused on the events that unfolded in August in Georgia. In the speech she made in KUMU Art Museum, Angela Merkel noted that the EU’s partnership relations with other countries can only be based on joint values, such as adhering to the principles of human rights, democracy, and rule of law.

Relations with Europe’s neighbours were also discussed during the visit of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip to Berlin from 11–12 March, in the course of which the PM attended a festive reception dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in the representation of Baden-Württemberg and in the Embassy of Estonia in Berlin. In October, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves was on a working visit in Berlin, where he met with Federal President Horst Köhler and made a public speech in Humboldt University titled Melos on my Mind: Europe After the End of the Post 1991 Settlement that discussed the changed security situation after the Russian-Georgian war in August, the roles of NATO and EU in strengthening democracy, and Estonia’s foreign policy experiences, interests and values in international relations.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet exchanged views with his German colleague Mr Frank- Walter Steinmeier twice during 2008: on 20 May there was a traditional meeting of the foreign ministers of the three Baltic states and Germany (3+1) in Riga that discussed the issues of Europe’s future and European Neighbourhood Policy. In July, the bilateral meeting of foreign ministers took place in Berlin where, in addition to the issues mentioned above, the ministers discussed energy, combating international piracy, and prospects for bilateral relations. The Estonian foreign minister gave a speech entitled Our Europe – Tasks for Today and Tomorrow in the German Foreign Policy Society; the speech addressed important tasks facing the European Union.

Estonian-German economic relations were developed further in 2008 by several visits. In January, Minister of Agriculture Helir-Valdor Seeder and his accompanying delegation

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participated in the traditional international agriculture and food trade fair Grüne Woche and had meetings with his colleagues from Germany’s Federal States. An important land- mark was establishing closer co-operation with Baden-Württemberg. At the beginning of the year, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts visited Baden- Württemberg with a business delegation, with the goal of presenting Estonia as a country with a favourable economic and tax system, a provider of IT solutions, and an interesting travel destination. Minister Juhan Parts also attended the Stuttgart tourism fair. During the visit of Ernst Pfi ster, Minister of Economic Affairs of Baden-Württemberg in April, the ministers discussed areas for further co-operation. During his second visit to Baden- Württemberg at the end of the year, Minister Parts held a speech at Global Connect, an international foreign trade forum, and received an overview of the German experience on public private partnership. As for other government agencies, one should mention the long-term co-operation between the Estonian Interior Ministry with the corresponding ministries of Rheinland-Pfalz and Schleswig-Holstein, which was refl ected by the visits of the Estonian interior minister to both abovementioned Federal States during the second half of the year.

The 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia was celebrated in Germany with two major festivals. Essentia Baltica, a cultural programme dedicated to the restoration of the independence of the Baltic states, was opened with a performance by the chamber orchestra Kremerata Baltica in the Berlin Philharmonic. In parallel with the events of Essentia Baltica, Estonian culture, economy and the country in general were introduced as part of the special programme E wie Estland in Baden-Württemberg. Estonians were able to come into contact with German culture in the spring and sum- mer of 2008 through the German Culture Spring.

The relations of Estonia and France in 2008 could be described as close and busy. The working visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to Paris in April included offi cial meetings with President Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. The issues discussed at the meetings included the future of NATO and military co-operation, the main objectives of the French EU presidency including energy and climate, migra- tion, common agricultural policy and bilateral relations. The priorities of the French presidency were discussed also in the course of the visit of the French Prime Minister François Fillon to Tallinn in May, where he met his Estonian colleague Mr Andrus Ansip and speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma. Speaker Ene Ergma visited Paris in October. The meetings focused on the subjects of EU relations with Russia and Georgia after the August war, the worldwide fi nancial crisis and interparliamentary co-operation between Estonia and France. Deputy speaker of the Riigikogu Kristiina Ojuland was on a visit in Paris in November while the Riigikogu committee on EU affairs visited France in May. Also the traditional co-operation of foreign ministers continued: consultations were held on many subjects, including almost all EU-related issues. In France Estonia is known

118 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

as a developed IT country. Estonian State Secretary Heiki Loot who met his French colleague in October presented him the Estonian experience on e-government and the technical solution for conducting government sessions.

In addition to traditionally busy co-operation in the fi eld of culture there were several exhibitions, concerts and conferences held as part of the celebrations of the 90th an- niversary of the Republic of Estonia. The series of anniversary events was kicked off on 21 February with a conference on Estonia-France relations in the Europe House in Paris. In February the French Radio Orchestra, conducted by Paavo Järvi, gave a concert in honour of the Republic of Estonia’s anniversary in the famous Pleyel Hall in Paris. In Paris’s Nordic Library an event was held to celebrate the release of a book about Estonian history by Jean-Pierre Minaudier. The evening included a discussion on Estonian history and identity. Conductor Anu Tali led the Lyon National Orchestra in a concert dedicated to Estonia’s anniversary in the Maurice Ravel Auditorium in Lyon. An exhibition of contemporary Estonian art entitled Plaisirs de l’imagination took place in the Château de Tours. The music festival Marathon XXI that took place in Rennes in 2008 was dedicated to Nordic music, particularly contemporary Esto- nian music. In the cultural centre Maison Folie Moulins in Lille, visitors were able to dance, play, sing, and hear fairytales and folk songs in the mini-Estonia designed by Estonian artist Liina Keevallik.

The year 2008 in the relations of Estonia and the Netherlands will be remembered for the visit of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to Tallinn on May 14–16. This was the fi rst visit of the head of state of the Netherlands to Estonia. At the meetings with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma, bilateral relations, the future of Europe, e-governance and developments in the fi eld of information technology in Estonia, as well as integra- tion, environment and energy were discussed. The Queen of the Netherlands visited the Tallinn Town Hall, toured the Old Town, Museum of Estonian Architecture and the Rotermann quarters. The Queen of the Netherlands was given a tour of Estonia’s innovation in Skype and of art values in KUMU Art Museum. On the fi nal day of her visit, HM Queen Beatrix visited Saaremaa where she planted a tree in the park of the Episcopal Castle in Kuressaare, according to an old tradition. The accompanying delegation of HM Queen Beatrix included Frans Timmermans, minister for European Affairs who met with our Minister of Justice Rein Lang and who discussed mainly EU issues during their meeting.

The cultural relations between Estonia and the Netherlands are lively. In celebration of the 90 years of the Republic of Estonia, the Estonian Embassy and the Finno-Ugric Faculty of the University of Groningen organized the Estonian afternoon at Groningen Uni- versity in September. The programme included the presentation of Jaan Kross’s novel

119 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

Treading Air (Paigallend, which has also been translated into Dutch) by Prof Cornelius Hasselblatt. The presentation of Estonian history and culture continued with the pre- viewing of The Singing Revolution that found warm and sincere reception by the audience. The exhibition of the history of the Republic of Estonia in Groningen that was organised by the Estonian Institute remained open for the visitors for almost a month.

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, an Estonian Independence Day concert and reception took place at the Nieuwe Kerk in The Hague on 25 February. The girls’ choir Ellerhein and the music ensemble Hortus Musicus performed. Estonian Independence Day was also celebrated by a concert and reception on 19 February in Amsterdam, where organ player Andres Uibo and violinist Mari-Liis Uibo performed works by Estonian composers.

The high point of the relations between Estonia and Belgium in 2008 was the state visit of Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola to Estonia from 10–12 June. This was a historic visit since the Belgian head of state was in Estonia for the fi rst time. Meetings with the president of Estonia, prime minister and speaker of the Riigi- kogu focused on economy, energy, integration as well as parliamentary co-operation. The King and the Queen visited the Open Air Museum at Rocca al Mare and the Tallinn Town Hall, went on sightseeing around the Old Town and attended a concert in the KUMU Art Museum. HM King Albert and President Ilves also attended an Esto- nian-Belgian business and academic seminar in the Tallinn University. The delegation of HM King Albert II included Belgian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Oliver Chastel who met with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. At their meeting, they discussed matters related to the Lisbon Treaty and energy policy, European Neighbourhood Policy and the Baltic Sea Strategy. Political consultations were held in the framework of the co-operation between foreign ministries.

Regional co-operation with regions of Belgium is close and constructive. In Octo- ber the Estonian-Flemings joint committee took place, approving a co-operation pro- gramme for 2009–2011.

The cultural relations between Estonia and Belgium are very active. To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, a concert and reception took place on 26 February in Flagey Concert Hall. The performers were Ellerhein Girls’ Choir and the ensemble Hortus Musicus. In February, an Estonian music and poetry night took place in Liège with Heli Jakobson (piano) and Lutgart van Ballaert (reading) performing and Fred Jüssi’s nature photos on display. There was also a photos exhibit on the history of the Republic of Estonia on display in the European Parliament which was opened by Speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma. In Eupen, in the German-speaking part of Belgium, a folk party was held on 11 April. A programme of Estonian folk music and poetry was

120 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

presented by Heli Jakobson and Lutgart van Ballaert. The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, directed by Paul Hillier, gave a concert on 15 May in Ghent.

In Estonian relations with Luxembourg the year 2008 brought new developments: Luxembourg appointed its fi rst ambassador to Estonia. Ambassador of Luxembourg to Estonia Jean Faltz, who resides in Prague, presented his credentials to President Ilves on 31 January. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visited Luxembourg on 27 May, meeting with HRH Grand Duke Henri. Meetings with Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, Deputy Foreign Minister Nicolas Schmit and Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker focused on the issues of European Union’s future, Western Balkans and Estonia as an E-state. To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the ensemble Hortus Musicus gave a concert on 28 February in the Luxembourg Philharmonic Hall. In June, an ex- hibition by young Estonian and Latvian artists was opened in the gallery Konschthaus beim Engel that is located in Luxembourg’s Old Town.

In addition to bilateral co-operation with Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, there has been an increase in the regional co-operation between three Baltic countries and three Benelux countries in recent years that is creating a favourable basis for discussing international and regional issues. In 2008 Estonia hosted the meeting of foreign ministers in the Sagadi Manor House. The six participating countries discussed the Lisbon Treaty and other acute issues.

The high point in relations between Estonia and Ireland in 2008 was the state visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to Ireland from 13–17 April, which was a response to the visit of Irish President Mary McAleese to Estonia in 2001. The visit was dominated by the topics of cultural relations, partnership in the European Union, and the success of both as IT countries. In addition, discussions addressed the possibility of the ratifi ca- tion of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty in light of Ireland’s referendum. The business delegation that accompanied President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, had a programme concerning in- vestment opportunities, also an Estonia-Ireland business seminar was held. Within the framework of the cultural programme, the exhibition History Refl ected in Architecture was opened.

Estonia and Ireland share views on such issues as the EU’s competitiveness, energy security, climate change and the Neighbourhood Policy. For discussing the issues of energy and climate, the Committee on Energy, Communications and Natural Resources of Oireachtas (Parliament of Ireland) visited its Estonian colleagues and relevant govern- ment ministries in September 2008. A delegation of the Riigikogu attended the Tenth European Parliaments Research Initiative conference on ICT for Parliamentarians hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas in Dublin.

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Estonia’s cultural year in Ireland was diverse in 2008, since in addition to the usual cultural contacts, a number of special events were held in honour of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. One could say that February 2008 in Ireland was the month dedicated to Arvo Pärt. It included the world premiere of his composition The Deer’s Cry and the annual RTE Living Music festival, which was entirely dedicated to Arvo Pärt. In addition, the exhibition on Arvo Pärt entitled Known and Unknown was displayed in Dublin.

Although there were no high-level visits between Estonia and Austria in 2008, bilateral political consultations at the level of the undersecretaries of the foreign ministries were held in June. Austrian business delegations visited Estonia in March and September of 2008 in search of new business partners. The most outstanding example of cultural exchange was the marking of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia by a tour of the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir under the direction of Aarne Saluveer through three count- ries – Austria, Slovakia, and Switzerland – in April. The concerts in Austria took place at Vienna’s Maria am Gestade Church, Salzburg’s Mozarteum, and Hall in Tirol. In May 2008, composer Arvo Pärt was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class. In September, an Austrian Week was held in Tallinn at the initiative of the Austrian Embassy. It included fi lms and a book exhibition in its programme.

The most important event in Estonian-Swiss relations in 2008 was the working visit of Foreign Minister Urmas Paet to Switzerland from 7–8 April. At his meeting with Foreign Minister M. Calmy-Rey, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations, EU issues, and mutually interesting international matters. Minister Urmas Paet gave a speech at Zürich Technical University that introduced the views and visions of Estonia regarding further development of relations between the EU and its neighbours. Three concerts of the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir tour – in the Martinskirche in Basel, Schaffhausen and Ascona – were dedicated to celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in Switzerland. In February, an exhibition entitled Missing the Mountains. Swiss landscapes in Baltic art was opened in Kadrioru Art Museum.

Relations with Italy, Spain and Portugal in 2008 were dominated by a variety of cultural events, including several concerts dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. Concerts by the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir, conducted by Aarne Saluveer, were sold out in both Spain and Portugal. In Italy, the Estonian string quartet The Noble Four (Noobel nelik) performed a concert programme of Estonian music in the Tempio Civico di San Sebastiano church in Milan; Estonian artist Mall Nukke exhibited her paintings in Milan’s Ambrosianeum Cultural Foundation; professor of the Estonian Academy of Music Andres Uibo gave a solo concert in the Basilica of Saint Mary in Milan. An international animated fi lm festival took place in Tuscany. Within the framework of the special programme, 41 Estonian puppet and animated fi lms were shown to the expert audience. At the seventh Rome Independent Film Festival, Ilmar Raag’s The Class won

122 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

fi rst place in the full-length fi lm category. For the fi rst time, Estonia was represented in the international Sea Biennale in Naples, winning the biennale’s main prize – a silver fi sh – for promoting the marine industry.

Estonia and Italy have stable economic relations. In terms of trade volume, Italy is in the top ten of Estonia’s trade partners.

Speaking of Spain, one must mention the events dedicated to the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, especially the seminar Estonia and Finland – 90 years from the independence declaration, which attracted a surprisingly large audience and was co-hosted by the Madrid embassies of Estonia and Finland and the Finnish Ins- titute of Iberoamerica. In 2008, Estonia’s anniversary was celebrated for the fi rst time in Barcelona and Sevilla. Barcelona hosted the concerts of the Estonian Police Brass Band conducted by Kaido Kodumäe with Kaire Vilgats as singer. Chamber music concerts of Teet Järvi’s family ensemble took place both in Sevilla and in Madrid. The works of Arvo Pärt were performed by the Sevilla Symphony Orchestra at the Maestranza Opera House.

2008 was dominated by preparations for the state visit of the Spanish royal couple to Estonia in May 2009. Ahead of the state visit, the Estonian prime minister and foreign minister are expected to visit Spain. As part of the preparatory process, the foreign ministers held political consultations in Madrid in November 2008. A sign of good co-operation are the seminars of the Northern Dimension and Barcelona Process organised by Estonia, Spain, Portugal and Finland. The Northern Dimension seminar held in the spring of 2007 in Madrid was followed up by the seminar dedicated to the Barcelona Process that was held in Tallinn in April 2008. The seminars gave an oppor- tunity for experts to share experiences and to exchange information on urgent matters such as migration, security, terrorism and energy. Participants in the seminars noted that the creation and preservation of direct contacts was important for developing North-South and regional co-operation further.

As for Portugal, it should be noted that the President of Portugal, Anibal Cavaco Silva, was the only person to receive Estonia’s highest decoration – the Collar of the Cross of Terra Mariana – in the 90th anniversary year of the Republic of Estonia. Presi- dent Toomas Hendrik Ilves gave the award to President of Portugal during a ceremony held in New York. The 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia was celebrated by a concert of the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir in the hall of Lisbon University, as well as by the concert of the Flora chamber choir in the Palace of Foz and with an exhibition of the watercolours of Estonian artist Valli Lember-Bogatkina in the Water Museum.

The central event in relations between Estonia and Greece was the visit of Foreign Minis- ter Urmas Paet to Greece. At a meeting with his Greek colleague Dora Bakoyannis, the

123 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

two ministers discussed possible Estonian-Greek co-operation in international organisa- tions, the EU’s current affairs and energy security, and regional policy issues. Consulta- tions between the ministries of foreign affairs on the level of political directors were also held in Athens. An Estonian friendship group was set up in the Greek Parliament.

Estonia-Greece trade volume remained unchanged from earlier years and Greece con- tinues to be between Estonia’s 30th and 40th largest trade partner. For developing eco- nomic contacts, the Estonian Embassy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pireus organised a business seminar that included presentations on the Estonian business climate by, among others, Enterprise Estonia and the Association of Real Estate Companies. 2008 was also active in terms of cultural relations. The Estonian Embassy in Athens arranged and mediated several cultural events and performance of Estonian artists in various festivals.

The main event in the relations between Estonia and Cyprus in 2008 was the working visit of Erato Kozakou-Markoullis, Foreign Minister of Cyprus, to Estonia. The issues discussed during the visit included many subjects of joint interest, from the matters on the EU agenda to bilateral economic co-operation, including tourism development. Consultations between the foreign ministries on the level of policy directors were held in Nicosia. Although trade volume between the two countries is not signifi cant, Cyprus is one of Estonia’s most important destinations for direct investments (9.1% of the total).

The most important event in 2008 in bilateral relations between Estonia and Malta was the visit of the foreign minister of Malta to Estonia after a break of almost 10 years. During the visit of Foreign Minister Tonio Borg in October, mainly the EU’s future, enlargement, neighbourhood policy, illegal immigration, and energy and climate were discussed.

In 2008, conditions were created for developing closer relations with Andorra, Monaco, and San Marino. The fi rst-ever ambassadors of Andorra and San Marino submitted their credentials to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and for the fi rst time the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia was celebrated in Andorra’s largest concert hall, the National Auditorium, with a concert by the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir. Diplomatic relations were established between Estonia and Monaco during the year. The document was signed on 7 February in Tallinn, when HSH Prince Albert II offi cially opened the Honorary Consulate of Monaco.

Estonia has active and good relations with Turkey. Joint geostrategic interests, similar positions on most international issues, and constructive co-operation in international organisations are the cornerstones of mutual understanding for Estonia and Turkey. Estonia supports Turkey’s EU efforts and wishes to see the country as an EU member on the condition that Turkey fulfi ls membership criteria.

124 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

Of the most important bilateral visits that took place in 2008, one should mention the offi cial visit of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip to Turkey. The programme included the fi rst Estonian-Turkish information and communication technology forum held in Istanbul, and was attended by IT entrepreneurs and opinion leaders from both countries. As part of the same visit, Estonia introduced its traditions in cross-country skiing by organising the fi rst ski marathon in the history of Turkey. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip was among the participants of the Anatolia marathon as an honorary guest.

President of Turkey Abdullah Gül visited Estonia in October and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan came in June. Helir-Valdor Seeder, Estonian Minister of Agriculture, was in Turkey in October. In addition, Turkey was visited last year by a delegation of the Riigikogu committee on foreign affairs led by Sven Mikser. Regular political consultations have taken place between the foreign ministries of both countries.

In cultural relations, one should mention the opening of the memorial plaque on the former building of the Estonian consulate in Istanbul; Estonian design exhibi- tions held in Istanbul and Izmir in March and June; the forest plantation day in the Hasanoğlan village near Ankara; screenings of Estonian cartoons in the Kars Film Festival and the premier of The Singing Revolution, a documentary by James and Maureen Tusty, at the Ankara Film Festival. In June, the embassy diplomat Vahur Luhtsalu performed a cello concert in the Kas culture festival. The fact that Istanbul and Tallinn will become European culture capitals in 2010 and 2011, respectively, should provide plenty of co-operation opportunities. Istanbul will host a number of cultural and tourism events in 2010 to celebrate the year of Estonian culture.

Northern Europe Estonia sees high value in political co-operation with the Nordic countries. Such politi- cal relations are best developed through meetings held within the NB8 format. In 2008, Estonia was the co-ordinating state for NB8 Co-operation.1 Foreign Minister Urmas Paet hosted the traditional meeting of NB8 foreign ministers in early fall in Pärnu.

Bilateral relations with Finland were traditionally friendly and busy, including such highlights as the completion of the report Opportunities for Co-operation between Estonia and Finland, 2008, which was unveiled at the meeting of the prime ministers of Estonia and Finland in Helsinki on 25 June. It was a follow-up report to Estonia and Finland in the European Union 2003, whose recommendations have been mostly imp- lemented by now. This year’s rapporteur for Estonia was Gunnar Okk, vice president

1 More information about Nordic-Baltic Co-operation is available on the website of the Foreign Ministry at: http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_202/1002.html

125 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

of the Nordic Investment Bank, and his Finnish counterpart was Jaakko Blomberg, former Finnish Ambassador to Estonia. The objective of the report was to offer Estonia and Finland ideas for joint activities in facing globalisation-related challenges and for increasing the countries’ competitiveness. It includes a number of specifi c recommen- dations for developing co-operation in 15 different areas, ranging from research and development to transport, audiovisual services, and defence co-operation. At a meeting of the prime ministers held in Tallinn at the end of the year, three areas – information and communication technology (ICT), free movement of people and knowledge, and development of an attractive business environment – were selected as offering the biggest potential benefi t. The countries plan to develop specifi c measures for implementing these three priorities during 2009.

Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, who took offi ce in early April, made his fi rst offi cial visit to Estonia on 23 April. In September, the foreign minister of Finland made a second visit to Estonia to attend the meeting of the NB8 foreign ministers in Pärnu. The foreign ministries continued to develop their traditionally busy relations as well and exchanged trainee diplomats: in October an offi cial from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs started a six-month traineeship in the Finnish Foreign Ministry. On 8 May, the network of Estonian honorary consuls in Finland expanded by opening an Honorary Consulate in Kotka. The fi fth Estonian honorary consul in Finland is Mr Kyösti Olavi Manninen.

Co-operation in the fi eld of research took on a central role in 2008, with the high point being the second joint session of the Estonian Research and Development Council and the Finnish Science and Technology Policy Council that was held in Tallinn on 15 April and attended by the prime ministers of both countries. During the debates, the participants saw the biggest potential in intensifying contacts between universities, research institutions, fi nancing organisations and companies, as well as in fostering co-operation of research and development councils and sharing information about plans to increase national competitiveness. There was also a signifi cant development in education co-operation: since August, Helsinki has two schools that offer partially Estonian-language basic education curricula. In addition to the Roihuvuori School, which already had a bilingual curriculum, a similar facility is being provided by the Latokartano School.

Within the framework of cultural relations, Estonia continued to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in Finland with a programme full of events that started already at the end of 2007. The Estonian Embassy in Finland organised events in eight Finnish towns within the framework of the Estonia Come to Visit programme and arranged a number of workshops, concerts and exhibitions.

126 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

Estonian relations with Sweden in 2008 could be characterised as friendly, busy and close. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip was on a bilateral visit in Stockholm in the end of May. The prime minister discussed current EU topics and energy policy issues with his Swedish counterpart Mr Fredrik Reinfeldt and opened Estonian-Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Stockholm. Delegation of the Riigikogu headed by Speaker Ene Ergma visited Sweden on two occasions, and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt in the framework of a bilateral visit to Stockholm. There were also several visits by other ministers.

During the year, Estonia and Sweden continued joint development projects for support- ing the EU’s eastern neighbours Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. As part of a bilateral agreement, an Estonian diplomat will continue to work on the premises of the Swedish Embassy in Cairo in 2009. Sweden remains the largest foreign investor in Estonia and is one of our country’s largest trade partners. Close co-operation is also fostered by the fact that both countries share similar views in many international, EU and regional issues.

One of the highlights of the year was the delivery of a musical gift to Sweden within the framework of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. The present was Future Continues, an original work by Estonian composer Toivo Tulev, and the world premier took place in the Berwaldhallen in Stockholm on 24 May. It was performed by the Estonian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Olari Elts, in the presence of a large audience including Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström.

Estonian relations with Denmark and Norway continued mainly in the form of close and practical everyday communication and co-operation. On the international level, one of the most important common denominators for both Estonia and Denmark is participation in peace operations. Soldiers of both countries are serving in Kosovo and in the southern part of Afghanistan, one of the world’s most complex crisis sites. Good relations were confi rmed by the visit of Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to Tallinn in April.

A highlight in Estonian-Danish cultural relations was a concert held in March where the Estonian National Male Choir, conducted by Mihhail Gertz, performed a work by Estonian composer Urmas Sisask that was especially dedicated to Denmark. In ad- dition to this musical present to Denmark, the works of other Estonian and Danish composers were also performed.

Norway continued to be an important partner for Estonia in 2008. During the traditional meeting of NB8 foreign ministers in early fall in Pärnu, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre. Part of the Estonian-Norwegian

127 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

co-operation is being carried out within the framework of the European Economic Area (EEA). Preparations for implementing fi nancial mechanisms of the EEA and Norway continued and were supplemented by the launch of several projects. Estonia is taking an active part in negotiating the EEA fi nancial mechanism for the next period.

Estonia’s political relations with Iceland were busier than usual, especially in the fi rst half of the year. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet was on a bilateral visit in Reykjavik from 16–17 February, meeting his Icelandic counterpart Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. During the visit, Minister Urmas Paet presented Iceland with a musical gift to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia – the premier of Three Icelandic songs, a work by composer Tõnu Kõrvits that was performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in the Salurinn concert hall. On 22 May, the Icelandic foreign minister made a reciprocal visit to Estonia, in the course of which she met with her Estonian counterpart and the Estonia-Iceland parliamentary group of the Riigikogu. In addition, a Baltic- Nordic and Western Balkans Business Forum was opened by the two foreign ministers at the presence of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and the Minister of Investments of Macedonia Gligor Taskovic.

Estonia held the presidency of the Baltic Co-operation (Baltic Council of Ministers and Baltic Assembly) for 2008.2 Several events and seminars were held in Estonia to discuss the year’s main priority issues such as energy defence and cyber security. An international conference on cyber security called Threat from the Net was held on 29 February in Tallinn where top professionals and policy makers discussed aspects of cyber security. A green energy conference on the energy topic was held in May in Tallinn.

Baltic Sea Strategy and energy security were discussed at the conference held as part of the closing events of the presidency. The Baltic Presidents Council met at the end of November at Sausti Manor in Estonia. The participants discussed political and economic co-operation, developments in EU and NATO as well as the issues related to the EU’s eastward partnership and Russia. Conclusions of the work done during the year were drawn at the meeting of prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in Tartu from 20–21 November and Estonia’s presidency was completed at the meeting of the Baltic Council held on 6 December in Viljandi. Joint statements were approved on both meetings, emphasising the importance of co-operation in all agreed priorities, especially the creation of joint Baltic energy market, the need to co-ordinate defence procurements and to fi nd a solution for policing the Baltic airspace after the completion of the corresponding NATO programme.

2 The programme and activities of the Estonian presidency are available on the website of the Foreign Ministry at: http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_202/840.html

128 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

Estonia’s bilateral relations with Latvia and Lithuania were dominated in 2008 by energy issues, as well as Baltic Sea regional issues, EU’s neighbourhood policy, Russia and EU-NATO developments

From the Latvian side, Estonia was visited in 2008 by the president, parliamentary speaker and prime minister. In May, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves hosted Latvian President Valdis Zatlers in his Ärma farmhouse. A month later, President Valdis Zatlers was again in Estonia, making a brief visit to the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) in Tartu. From the Estonian side, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves traveled to Latvia to a working visit on 12 July, where he attended the Latvian National Song Festival. During the visit, the Estonian president met with Finnish President Tarja Halonen, who was also a guest at the song festival. The peak of celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia took place in Riga on 18 November. The jubilee event was attended by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. At a meeting of the prime ministers held in Tallinn in August, the main debate focused on acute security policy issues, including the after- math of the Georgian-Russian confl ict.

Bilateral relations of Estonia and Lithuania were enriched by mutual visits of the presidents of both countries in 2008. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves visited Lithuania in February in connection with the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Lithuania. In his speech held at the military parade in Vilnius, Estonian president emphasised the importance of mutual support among Baltic states. The state visit of the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus to Estonia took place from 29–30 April. During the state visit, the president met his Estonian colleague as well as the speaker of Riigikogu Ene Ergma and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. The conversations mainly focused on the issues of the region’s development and energy. President Valdas Adamkus also held a lecture in the Tallinn University about the role of the Baltic states in changing Europe and received the title of honorary doctor.

On May 22, Estonia’s fi rst Honorary Consulate in Lithuania was opened in Klaipeda. The fi rst Honorary Consul of Estonia is Mr Virginijus Biskys.

Estonia’s relations with its southern neighbours are also characterised by close eco- nomic relations that have picked up speed year on year. Since the summer of 2006, Estonia is the largest foreign investor in Latvia. According to the data of the Bank of Estonia, 32.3% of all Estonia’s direct investments were made to Latvia, in the amount of 22 billion Estonian kroons. Lithuania is the second most important country of destination for Estonian direct investments, as 29.6% of all Estonian investments are made in that country. According to data from Statistics Lithuania, Estonia’s direct investments in Lithuania as of the second quarter of 2008 were valued at 590 million euros, which is 5.6% of all direct investments in Lithuania. Estonia ranks in 6th place

129 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

among Lithuania’s investors. As in Latvia where Estonian businessmen founded a similar body a year ago, the initiating group of Estonian entrepreneurs in Vilnius approved the decision to create an Estonian-Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce on 10 December. At the end of 2008, there were 235 businesses funded by Estonian capital in Lithuania, as well as 19 subsidiaries and 10 representative offi ces.

Both Latvia and Lithuania celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. As for Latvia, one should mention one of the largest and most representative exhibi- tions of Estonian art: since February a wide collection of Estonian graphic art was on display in the Latvian Museum of Foreign Art in Riga. The Latvian Architecture Museum showed an exhibition of the works submitted to the architectural contest for the Riga building of the Estonian Embassy from 19383 and 2008. Also one issue of the local architectural magazine was dedicated to the architecture of the embassy. In June, Riga hosted the premier of the documentary The Singing Revolution.

Vilnius celebrated the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia with a bell concert of the Arsis Handbell Ensemble, and in March the Estonian language day was celebrated in Vilnius for the fi rst time. Estonian language has been taught in Vilnius University since 2002/2003 study year and the fi rst 13 students graduated in 2008. Academic studies of the Estonian language also benefi t from Vilnius University’s Estonian lan- guage laboratory, which Estonian businessmen helped to renovate in 2004.

Central Europe and Western Balkans The strength of good Estonian-Polish relations lies in their similar interests. There were eight prominent bilateral or multilateral visits during 2008, including four on the level of presidents, two on the level of prime ministers, one on the level of foreign ministers and one on the level of defence ministers. Among others, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves participated in the celebrations of the Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising in August and also attended the events dedicated to the 90th anniversary of regaining independence of Poland in Warsaw in November. During his working visit to Tallinn, Polish President Lech Kaczyński participated in the Georgia-related consultations with the presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet attended the meeting of the Group of Georgia’s Friends in Warsaw. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip visited both Warsaw and Gdańsk last year. The visit to Warsaw was made in the frame- work of the meeting of Visegrád and Baltic countries. The visit to Gdańsk took place in connection with the negotiations of the heads of government of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Visegrád countries, Bulgaria and Romania and the EU presidency on 5 December, which focused on the EU energy and climate package.

3 The work that won the 1938 architectural contest was not realised because of World War II.

130 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

The common denominators in the meetings held last year were the EU’s relations with Russia and the European Neighbourhood Policy, especially after the confl ict between Russia and Georgia fl ared up in August 2008. The meetings also addressed EU and NATO issues such as enlargement, the Lisbon Treaty, and energy security, as well as regional and energy-related co-operation. There are regular working consultations on the level of foreign ministries and defence ministries.

The two countries are also discussing bilateral issues in the fi elds of economy, culture, etc., in which Estonia is interested, for instance, in speeding up the completion of the Polish section of the Via Baltica. Poland is Estonia’s largest foreign trade partner among the countries of Central Europe. Like in 2007, Poland was Estonia’s seventh largest foreign trade partner in the fi rst nine months of 2008 as well. There are co-operation possibilities in developing joint projects in Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. Within the NATO framework, Poland is participating in securing the Baltic airspace. The period between March and June was the second time that Polish fi ghter pilots were policing Baltic skies.

Estonia communicated closely also with the Czech Republic – these relations received an additional dimension in connection with the Czech EU Presidency in the fi rst half of 2009. Dialogue with the Czech Republic is conducted in a mutually understanding environment, as was confi rmed by the prime ministers of both countries during their meeting. The prime ministers met three times last year and there were multiple visits on the level of foreign ministers, defence ministers and parliamentary speakers. Estonia was visited, among others, by Cyril Svoboda, Minister for e-Government of the Czech Republic.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek, who had received Prime Minister Andrus Ansip in March in Prague, made a reciprocal visit to Tallinn in May, in the course of which the Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a business seminar for the business delegation that accompanied the prime minister. Estonian prime minister also attended a meeting of the prime ministers of Visegrád and Baltic states within the framework of the European Nuclear Energy Forum in Prague. On 14 May, Estonia and the Czech Republic signed a declaration of co-operation on improving the busi- ness environment together with the UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Slovenia. In connection with the EU presidency of the Czech Republic, the dialogue between the foreign ministers also became more intensive and there were several consultations held during the autumn.

Estonia brought home many prominent cultural awards from the Czech Republic in 2008. In March, the St. Michael’s Boys’ Choir, directed by Kadri Hunt, was awarded a gold medal in the Gregorian category at the religious choir contest Mundi Cantant in Olomouc. In June, the Estonian TV Children’s Choir returned from the Olomouc International Choir

131 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

Festival with the highest marks and a gold medal. Estonian cinema was also blessed with success in 2008. Kadri Kõusaar’s fi lm Magnus won the main prize at Febiofest, the biggest fi lm festival in the Czech Republic. In addition, Estonian fi lms participated in the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the European Film Days and the Trebon Anifest. All this helped to promote Estonia’s culture and its general image in the Czech Republic.

Dialogue with our kindred Finno-Ugric nation Hungary works well. Estonian-Hungarian relations in 2008 peaked with the visit of Hungary’s Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz to Tallinn in July. During the visit, Estonia supported the Hungarian initiative for setting up a Finno-Ugric Institute. The foreign ministries continued their consultations, this time on EU issues in Budapest in June.

Cultural exchange between Estonia and Hungary is very active, especially because of the activities of the Estonian Institute in Budapest. Good relations have also been established between Estonian and Hungarian fi lmmakers: Priit Pärn is a household name in Hungary because of his cartoons, while Hungarian fi lms have been included in the programme of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival almost every year.

Slovakia is an important ally for Estonia in Central Europe, and a good partner in the EU and NATO. There were no bilateral visits in 2008, but the two countries com- municated in the framework of multilateral meetings. The Slovakian foreign minister is scheduled to visit Tallinn in 2009. Estonia is interested in Slovakia`s experience as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2006–2007) and its long-term experience in the Western Balkans. The abovementioned issues plus the EU’s eastern policy, which is a priority for both countries, create an excellent foundation for deve- loping bilateral co-operation.

There are versatile cultural relations between Estonia and Slovakia. Of cultural events in 2008, mention should be made of the silver prize won by the Estonian youth mixed choir Vox Populi in the international choir competition Slovakia Cantat held in Bratislava in April. In April the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir performed the concert My heart, wake up in Bratislava, as part of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.

The opening of the Bulgarian Embassy in Tallinn in the autumn of 2008 strengthened the prospects for Estonia-Bulgaria relations to become more active. Estonia is interested in Bulgarian experience in the Black Sea area and in the Balkan region. Both countries support the development of stability and security in the Balkans and the NATO and EU perspectives of Western Balkan countries. For high-level visits, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visited Sofi a in November. The minister was accompanied on the visit by a business delegation, and an Estonian-Bulgarian Business Forum was arranged in Sofi a with the objective of promoting bilateral economic relations and investments.

132 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

There is also potential for co-operation in the fi eld of tourism as well as energy, including energy effi ciency, but also in developing e-services, fi nancing small and medium-sized enterprises, real estate development and the Schengen visa area.

The experts of both countries communicated closely throughout the year: in September 2008 the offi cials of Bulgaria’s EU Secretariat visited Tallinn to study Estonia’s EU co- ordination system. In October a delegation of the Estonian Boarder Guard made a work- ing visit to the Bulgarian Border Police, in the course of which Estonians shared their experiences in joining the Schengen visa area. In November a nine-member group of secretary generals from various Bulgarian government agencies visited Estonia to learn more about Estonia’s e-government and IT policy.

Romania, together with Bulgaria, is one of Estonia’s important allies as well as a good co-operation partner in the EU and NATO. Both Estonia and Romania support the de- velopment of stability and security in the Balkans and the NATO and EU perspectives of the Western Balkan countries. Estonian and Romanian relations can be characterised as good and developing. The Romanian Honorary Consulate in Tallinn was offi cially re- opened in 2008. Although there were no high-level visits during the year, both partners have had an opportunity to discuss various issues in the framework of EU meetings.

Relations with Slovenia were busier than usual, particularly in the framework of various co-operation formats of the EU, in connection with the fact that Slovenia was president of the European Union in the fi rst half of 2008. Estonia is interested in Slovenia`s experience in organising the EU presidency and the adoption of the euro as well as the situation in the Western Balkans. During the visit of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves to Slovenia in September the abovementioned topics were discussed. Traditional consultations between the foreign ministries also continued, in particular between the policy planning departments in Tallinn in October. In connection with the invitation extended by the OECD to Slovenia, Estonia, Israel, Chile and Russia in the spring of 2007 to start accession negotiations, OECD experts from Estonian and Slovenia started to hold bilateral meetings.

Dialogue with Croatia has become signifi cantly more active thanks to Croatia be- coming closer to the European Union. In 2008 Prime Minister Andrus Ansip visited Croatia, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandroković came to Estonia, and there were consultations on EU and political issues between the foreign ministries. Estonia was also visited by Igor Lučić, the secretary general of e-government of Croatia, who was interested in learning about Estonia’s experiences in e-governance.

There was signifi cant progress made in Estonia’s relations with other Western Balkan countries. These countries are moving closer to the European Union, with accession

133 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

being made the top priority by their governments. Estonia has remained loyal to its position that EU enlargement must be supported and has therefore shared its acces- sion experience with all the Western Balkan countries. Similar co-operation is taking place in the fi eld of strengthening the relations of the Western Balkans with NATO. In order to map possibilities for mutual economic co-operation and for presenting the Western Balkans as an attractive investment destination, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly organised a Baltic-Balkans-Nordic business seminar at the end of May that was attended by many businessmen, politicians, and diplomats.

Estonia is known in the Western Balkans as a successful country, and the people there wish to learn from our success. In this respect one should defi nitely mention the e-Governance Academy, which has developed a wide and functioning network of relations in many Western Balkan countries. The academy has organised various training courses and visits. The current Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha has made the development of IT sector his priority. The main objective of his visit to Estonia in April was mapping the corresponding possibilities for co-operation.

Macedonia and Estonia made numerous visits in 2008. At the end of March, Macedonia was visited by Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, and at the end of November by Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. During the latter visit, preparations were completed for the signing of two treaties on the exchange and mutual protection of classifi ed information and an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation. The fi rst Estonian Honorary Consulate in Western Balkans region was festively opened in Skopje. Macedonian Information Society Minister Ivo Ivanovski was in Estonia at the beginning of February. His visit resulted in the establishment of various direct contacts between government agencies and specialists. Macedonia’s EU prospects were discussed intensively during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Bocevski at the end of October. In addition to close political and growing economic relations, a new chapter was opened in cultural relations. Among others, the Estonian public was able to watch Macedonian fi lms at the representation of the European Commission in Estonia.

The good level of the relations between Estonia and Montenegro was re-confi rmed at the beginning of March when Tallinn was visited by Foreign Minister of Montenegro Milan Roćen. During his visit to Montenegro in mid-September, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves assured that Estonia will continue to support Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic integration. Estonians are discovering Montenegro as a tourist destination, so Estonian tour operators have started to offer seasonal holiday packages to the resorts of Montenegro.

Estonia recognised Kosovo’s independence on 21 February 2008. Since then, bilateral contacts between Estonia and Kosovo have become closer. During the visit of Kosovo’s

134 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

Deputy Prime Minister Ramë Manaj and Public Administration Minister Arsim Bajrami to Estonia at the end of April, the two countries established diplomatic relations, and at the end of the year Estonia’s fi rst ambassador to Kosovo, Karin Jaani, presented her credentials to President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu.

Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip visited Kosovo from 23–25 November and met with the leaders of Kosovo and the international organisations in the country. Estonia participates in the EU’s largest-ever civil mission EULEX Kosovo and the NATO Kosovo forces (KFOR). While EULEX started its activities only recently, KFOR has been in Kosovo almost two decades (Estonia has been in Kosovo since 1999). Estonia attended the conference of Kosovo’s donors in July and, like other participating countries, has taken the obligation to provide Kosovo with a million US dollars’ worth of aid over the next few years.

One of the most memorable events in Estonian-Serbian relations in 2008 was the visit of Foreign Minister Urmas Paet to Serbia at the beginning of October. A specifi c outcome of the visit was the idea to start teaching the Serbian language in Estonian universities and the Estonian language in Serbian universities. Co-operation between Estonian and Serbian universities is going smoothly. The European College of Tartu University organised the day of Vojvodina.

Eastern Europe and Central Asia Estonia’s objective in bilateral relations with Russia is to develop practical co-operation in a manner that would benefi t both nations. Several meetings took place between various institutions. The foreign ministries held consultations on EU issues, and tradi- tional consular consultations also took place.

From 27–30 June, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves attended the 5th World Congress of Finno-Ugric peoples in Khanty-Mansiisk, where he met with Dmitri Medvedev, Presi- dent of Russia, and Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. At the beginning of February, Minister of Culture Laine Jänes signed a bilateral co-operation agreement with her counterpart in the fi eld of culture and mass communication in Moscow. At the annual meeting of the OSCE at the beginning of December in Helsinki, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The ministers agreed to hold Estonian-Russian political consultations at the beginning of 2009 and discussed the status of various bilateral agreements.

On 9 December, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet attended the funeral service of Patriarch Alexy II in Moscow.

135 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

A good example of Estonia’s readiness to co-operate with Russia is practical cross- border co-operation between local governments and non-profi t organisations. One such project carried out in 2008 was the modernisation of the water treatment plant in Pskov. In co-operation with Russia’s border regions, Estonia sees benefi ts in com- bating organised crime and reducing environmental risks.

Roland Peets, director general of the Board of Estonian Border Guard, was in Moscow in October to discuss co-operation issues with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Pronitchev.

In terms of total trade turnover, Russia remains 5th among Estonia’s trade partners; Estonian exports to Russia increased in 2008, while import volumes continued to fall. Foreign direct investments between the two countries increased in both directions, with investments made from Estonia into Russia exceeding Russia’s direct invest- ments into Estonia. There has been a signifi cant increase in incoming tourism from Russia. Considerable progress has also been achieved in co-operation between uni- versities. However, there are still plenty of issues in which progress has been below expectations, such as the transport infrastructure and measures to reduce border- crossing queues for road transport.

Co-operation in the fi eld of culture was varied and active in 2008. The highlight was a concert in Novaja Opera and a reception in honour of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in Moscow in March. The president of Estonia presented a statue of Professor Juri Lotman to the Russian Library for Foreign Literature in Moscow at the end of June. A Seto folklore festival was held in Petseri at the end of August, while in September Estonian culture days took place in Tomsk and the Anton Hansen Tammsaare home museum was re-opened in Sotchi. In November the Estonian car- toon industry celebrated its anniversary by showing a special programme of the car- toons of Priit Pärn and his disciples in the Moscow Cartoon Festival. The Tallinn culture days held in Moscow in December were also popular.

Estonia continues to support Ukraine’s orientation towards NATO and measures to bring Ukraine closer to the EU.

At the start of the year, Foreign Minister Paet attended a conference of the foreign minis- ters of the European Union and the Black Sea countries and had bilateral meetings with the foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Ukraine. In May, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves was in Kiev at a summit dedicated to energy issues. The presi- dents of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Georgia and Azerbaijan, Estonia adopted a joint declaration on creating an energy transit corridor in the Caspian Sea, Black Sea and Baltic Sea region.

136 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

Special mention should be made of the active relations between the parliaments of Estonia and Ukraine – Ukraine was visited last year by the state defence and EU affairs committees of Riigikogu. At the end of the year, speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma attended the international forum Ukraine remembers, the world recognises in Kiev dedi- cated to 75 years since Holodomor – the 1932–1933 famine that claimed millions of victims. Communication was also active between foreign ministries, including security policy consultations in Kiev and a visit to Tallinn by a political department delegation in December.

The interest of Estonian enterprises towards the Ukrainian market has continued to grow in a stable manner. The Estonian Foreign Ministry, Enterprise Estonia, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a Ukraine business seminar in Tallinn at the end of November that attracted a large audience. Estonian investments and exports into Ukraine continued to increase. New sectors in Ukraine that have recently attracted Estonian enterprises include information technology and telecommunica- tions. From the start of 2008, an Estonian company started to offer mobile parking services in Kiev and Lviv. Ukraine has recognised the need to better use information and telecommunications technology in administration. In May 2008, Ukraine hosted the fi rst conference on e-government. This is a fi eld where Estonians have been advising various Ukrainian government agencies, as well as cities and regional centres.

The year 2008 was outstanding in Estonia-Moldova relations: Veaceslav Dobinda, the fi rst ambassador of Moldova residing in Estonia, presented his credentials in October, a clear sign that Moldova is interested in strengthening bilateral co-operation.

Estonia gives full support to Moldova’s efforts to integrate into the EU, including the timely start of negotiations for drawing up a new EU-Moldova framework agreement. During the year, these issues were debated in many meetings on different levels, including during the visit of Deputy Foreign Minister of Moldova Valeriu Ostalep to Tallinn at the beginning of the year. Moldova was visited by Mati Raidma, chairman of the State Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, in March, and by a delegation of the parliamentary committee on EU affairs in April.

The interest of Estonian businessmen in the growing economy of Moldova also in- creased last year. In 2008, Estonian investors purchased a manufacturer of prefabri- cated concrete elements in Southern Moldova and invested in the country’s fi nancial, construction and service sectors. To help Moldova strengthen its trade representations, a delegation of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised the relevant Moldovan authorities in this fi eld. In the framework of the UN Development Programme, Ehtel Halliste, the press representative of the Foreign Ministry, shared her experiences with her counterparts last year. The project on training of Moldovan agencies in the fi eld

137 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

of taxation was successfully completed, as was a co-operation project in the course of which Estonian specialists advised the Moldovan public broadcast station.

The policy of the European Union and Estonia towards Belarus has begun to change. Estonia has been making efforts to support the civil society of Belarus, and continued the policy of offering Belarusian students an opportunity for studying in Estonia in 2008. A congress of Belarusians living abroad was organised in Tallinn in March. In December the e-Governance Academy introduced the e-state concept to specialists from Belarus. On 29 January 2009, the Government of Estonia approved an order to establish an embassy in Minsk.

Estonia’s relations with the states of the South Caucasus developed in 2008 in a mutual co-operation atmosphere. Estonia supports the integration of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan into Euro-Atlantic structures. South Caucasian countries are increasingly embraced by the EU Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan and are also involved in defence- related co-operation with NATO. The Eastern Partnership initiative that the European Commission unveiled in December 2008 offers an additional opportunity to intensify co- operation with the EU in trade, the free movement of people, and other spheres.

In co-operation in the Southern Caucasus, Estonia has mainly focused on Georgia. The Estonian Embassy in Tbilisi was opened at the end of 2006 and the fi rst resident Estonian ambassador started work in the autumn of 2008. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip made a visit to Georgia in February and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet was in Georgia on a visit from 15–17 August, i.e. less than a week after active military operations ceased. From 28–30 March, Estonia was visited by Georgia’s Prime Minister Vladimer ‘Lado’ Gurgenidze, who also made a speech at the Lennart Meri Memorial Conference. In the autumn, Foreign Minister Eka Tkešelašvili visited Estonia.

Georgia is one of the priority partners for Estonian development co-operation policy. In 2008 Estonia contributed more than 6.5 million Estonian kroons for Georgia- related projects. The list of projects that were fi nanced during 2008 includes advising the reform of Georgia’s public broadcast; increasing their capability to combat illicit traffi cking of stolen vehicles; enhancing the capacity of public service; preventing domestic violence and assisting victims; providing Estonian reform experience for the benefi t of the Georgian economical development; prison system reform; computeri- sation of schools; police training; competence training of social workers; and intro- ducing Estonia’s EU and NATO integration experience to young Georgian diplomats, government offi cials and teachers.

The humanitarian crisis caused by the outbreak of the Russia-Georgia war inspired the Estonian government and many citizens to try to improve the situation of the

138 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

innocent people who had been affected by the confl ict. Estonia sent three aid ship- ments to Georgia to help those who had suffered as a result of the war. The fi rst con- tained mainly medical and rescue equipment, the second was aimed at improving the situation of domestic refugees and children, and the third shipment was meant fi rst and foremost for very young children. Moreover, Estonia supported the work of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) by dispatching four crisis counsellors to Georgia. In September an Estonian mine-clearing team worked on civilian sites. In addition, Estonia allocated 1 million Estonian kroons as a voluntary donation to support UNICEF in helping refu- gees of South Ossetia. The Estonian Red Cross collected more than 3 million Estonian kroons in voluntary donations for Georgia.

Estonian-Armenian relations are friendly and developing. The most important event in bilateral relations in 2008 was the offi cial visit of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian to Estonia on 20–21 November. The foreign ministries of Estonia and Armenia held political consultations in the spring.

Estonia has trained young Armenian diplomats, sharing with them its experiences in the fi eld of EU and NATO integration. In the framework of trilateral development co-operation projects, Estonia is also fi nancing the joint project of the Estonian and Swedish Rescue Services in developing the Armenian civic defence system. Estonia supports Armenia by sharing its experience in developing relations with the EU and in starting free trade negotiations with EU.

Estonian relations with Azerbaijan got fresh momentum in 2008, especially in the fi eld of business and information technology, both in terms of investments and trade.

In November 2008 Azerbaijan was visited by Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, who at- tended the Baku Energy Summit. Deputy speaker of the Riigikogu Kristiina Ojuland visited BakuTel, an information technology trade fair held in Baku in November. In the spring, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made an offi cial visit to Estonia. In 2008, Estonia hosted Ali Abbasov, Minister of Information Technology and Commu- nication and Heydar Babayev, Minister of Economic Development, who participated in the Estonia-Azerbaijan business forum. The interest of the Azerbaijan government and its companies in the Estonian information technology solutions is very high. Bilateral co-operation agreement on information technology is being drafted.

The geopolitical importance of the Central Asian countries has grown in recent times.

Estonia’s relations with Kazakhstan became closer in 2008. Marina Kaljurand, the Esto- nian non-resident ambassador in Kazakhstan who was appointed in December 2007, made three visits to Astana, meeting with the representatives of the foreign ministry,

139 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

economic ministry and energy ministry. In October, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet atten- ded at a conference of foreign ministers entitled Common World: Progress Through Diversity in Astana, and also met with President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Karim Massimov and Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin. Preparations are under way to nominate an honorary consul of Estonia to Kazakhstan. Since spring 2008 the honorary consul of Kazakhstan in Estonia is Mr Carl-Jüri Piht.

The need to have closer relations with Central Asia was also highlighted this year at the meeting of NB8 ministers and policy directors, which foreign ministers of Central Asian states or representatives of their foreign ministries were invited to attend. Both Nordic and Central Asian states fi nd that the experience of Baltic transition societies is important in assisting the democratisation of Central Asia.

Asia, Australia and Oceania In 2008 Estonia deepened its relations with the eastern part of the world. Political consultations were conducted with several countries: China, Japan, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam; with the last three, the consultations were held for the fi rst time. Estonia appointed its fi rst ever ambassadors to the Republic of Korea, India, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as honorary consuls to Indonesia and Singapore.

China is Estonia’s most important partner in the region, and not only in terms of foreign trade, where it occupies 1st place. This is also true in terms of bilateral meet- ings and visits on different levels. The parliamentary ties between the two countries have grown stronger over the course of the years, as has the basis of bilateral agree- ments.

In March, the 7th meeting of the Joint Commission of Economic Co-operation Agree- ment between Estonia and China was held. In April, a delegation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries visited Estonia.

The second half of the year was particularly rich in visits and meetings. When visiting the Olympic Games in Beijing, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met his Chinese colleague Wen Jiabao on 20 August, and Estonian First Lady Evelin Ilves was in Beijing on the occasion of the Paralympics in September. The visit of the Deputy Minister of Transport of China Xu Zuyuan took place in September. During the visit, a bilateral agreement was signed on maritime transport. In October Tõnis Lukas, Minister of Education and Science, also visited China, accompanied by the rectors of several Estonian universities. A co-operation programme between Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia and Ministry of Education of China for the years 2008–2012 has been signed.

140 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

In the margins of the ASEM 7 held this year in Beijing in October, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip had a meeting with Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department, Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The Riigikogu hosted a visit by a delegation of the Economic and Financial Commission of the Peoples’ Congress of China in November, and a delegation of the Economic and Social Committee of the 10th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in December. At the end of the year, bilateral consular consultations as well as political consultations were held in Tallinn. Among other topics, the delegations discussed the preparations of Estonian prime minister’s visit to China in spring 2009.

In October, a delegation headed by Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar visited Beijing, Ningbo, and Hangzhou; a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the mayor of Hangzhou. In 2008, co-operation between the Port of Tallinn and the city of Ningbo regarding the construction of a container terminal progressed.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visited Japan from 27 February – 2 March and met with his colleague, Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, and discussed possi- bilities for further co-operation. Ken-Martti Vaher, the vice-chairman of the Riigikogu Friendship Group with Japan, had a working visit to the Japanese Ministry of Justice and to the offi ce of the public prosecutor. Political consultations between Estonia and Japan on the expert level were held on 12 December in Tallinn.

Estonian artists participated in the exhibition Global Artist Movement 2008 held in May in the city of Toyota. The same group of artists organised a Japanese cultural programme in Rakvere on the occasion of the Sumo World Championship in October. To promote the tourism and cultural links between Japan and Estonia, Enterprise Estonia and Estonian travel agencies participated in the JATA tourist fair in September. The Estonian Folklore Society Leigarid had several concerts in Tokyo and other places to celebrate Estonia’s 90th anniversary. In November, a delegation of the Union of Estonian Architects visited Japan; on this occasion the Estonian Embassy organised an exhibition of the works of Estonian architects.

Estonia had its fi rst ever political consultations with the Republic of Korea on 24 Sep- tember in Seoul. In May, we hosted a delegation of the administration of the Republic of Korea, who came to learn about Estonia’s experiences in training government offi cials. On 4 December, Deputy Foreign Minister of Korea Lee Yong-joon – the highest Korean offi cial ever to visit Estonia – made a working visit to Tallinn.

To enhance our relations with South-east Asian countries, Estonia appointed Mr Narinder Sonny Kumar Aswani as its fi rst honorary consul to Singapore last year. The Honorary Consulate was offi cially opened on 19 September by Matti Maasikas, Secretary General

141 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit to Singapore, meetings with Foreign Minister George Yong-Boon Yeo and Undersecretary of the Ministry Andrew Tan also took place. The year 2008 saw Estonia having its fi rst ever political consultations with Vietnam.

In October, the Government of Indonesia issued an exequatur of Estonia’s fi rst honorary consul to Indonesia, Princess C. A. Ariyanti. The Consulate in Jakarta is operational since 24 November.

Given that more and more Estonians will choose Thailand, and Phuket in particular, as their vacation destination, the process of accrediting an honorary consul to Southern Thailand is under way.

Estonia has appointed the fi rst ambassador to Australia (residing in Tokyo), that has yielded good results. In March 2008, speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma and accom- panying parliamentary delegation paid an offi cial visit to Australia.

Estonian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Margus Laidre and Ambassador of Fiji to the United Kingdom Pio Bosco Tikoisuva signed a joint communiqué on bilateral diplomatic relations on 14 July in London.

To help the victims of the cyclone Nargis, which devastated the southern part of Burma/Myanmar in May, Estonia donated half a million Estonian kroons via the International Red Cross. The Chief Monk of the Buddhist Temple of Burma in Penang, The Honourable Sayadaw U Pannya, and the spiritual leader of the Buddhist Centre in Köln, Ashin Sopaka, visited Estonia in April. They also met with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

Since 2006, Afghanistan has been one of Estonia’s priority partner countries for deve- lopment co-operation. Estonia is committed to supporting democratic processes in the country and to contributing both military and civil means to support the stability of Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visited the country in January and met with President Hamid Karzai, Deputy Foreign Minister Kabir Farah, and EU Special Repre- sentative Francesc Vendrell. Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo met with his Afghan col- league Mr Abdul Rahim Wardak and visited Lashkar Gah Provincial Reconstruction team in Helmand in November. Mr Harri Tiido presented his credentials as the fi rst Estonian non-resident ambassador to Afghanistan in March. In March, chief expert Dr Argo Parts started to work in the Estonian Special Mission as counsellor to the Government of Hel- mand province and the British Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah on health and medical care programmes. Estonia also sent a police offi cer to EUPOL-Afghanistan and a civil expert to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

142 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

The fi fth consultations between the foreign ministries of Estonia and India were held on 8 October in Tallinn, where co-operation in the fi eld of higher education, bio- and genetic technology, and informatics, as well as the exchange of research fellows, were discussed. In November, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visited India and had meetings with his Indian colleague Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Minister of Science and Tech- nology Shri Kapil Sibal. Negotiations on an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between Estonia and India are in the fi nal stage and the signing is expected in early 2009.

The Middle East and Northern Africa In 2008 Estonia allocated 3.5 million Estonian kroons for building up Palestinian security forces, with the goal of increasing security, necessary for the peace process. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Riyad al-Maliki, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, within the framework of the Mediterranean Sea Union and discussed ways to promote the peace process.

In recent years, Estonia has been developing relations with Israel and Egypt. There has been an Estonian diplomatic mission in both countries since 2007 to prepare for opening a fully functional embassy. The format for Estonian-Israeli and Estonian- Egyptian political consultations and regular discussions about the developments in the region was introduced. In summer 2008, consultations with both Israel and Egypt took place in Tallinn. The number of Estonian tourists is also rapidly increasing.

Estonian-Israeli relations are also boosted by the small but active Jewish community in Estonia, as well as Jews from Estonia who have resettled in Israel.

In 2008 Estonia intensifi ed bilateral contacts with Persian Gulf states. In October 2008, during the Forum of the Foreign Ministers of Muslim and Western countries held in Astana, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Minister of International Co-operation of Qatar. High-level meeting between the representatives of Estonia and Oman took place in December in Doha. Foreign Minister Paet also met Abu Bakr Abdallah al-Qirbi, the Foreign Minister of Yemen, and Dr Nizar Bin Obaid Madani, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, in the sidelines of the meeting of the EU and Arab League foreign ministers in Vienna in December. Preparations for signing an agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments with Jordan have begun.

In August 2008, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visited Iraq and met with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebar. During the meetings, the continuation of military co-operation as well as the launch of civilian

143 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

projects for supporting the rebuilding of Iraq was discussed. Minister Urmas Paet also met with high military offi cials of the MNF-I and visited the base camp of the Estonian unit. In December, Estonia ended its military mission in the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I), which has been supporting the democratically elected govern- ment of Iraq in maintaining security and facilitating the reconstruction of the country since 2004. The last unit of the Estonian Defence Forces in Iraq, ESTPLA 17, returned to Estonia on 21 December. The Iraqi government as well as the high commanders of the MNF-I have put a high value on Estonia’s contribution.

In August Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held bilateral consultations with the higher offi cials of the foreign ministry of Kuwait and exchanged views on regional development.

In November, Deputy Foreign Minister on European Affairs of Iran Mehdi Safari visited Estonia. During the meeting with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Iran’s nuclear programme was discussed. Estonia conveyed the message that Estonian-Iranian rela- tions cannot improve before Iran manages to convince the international community that its nuclear programme serves peaceful purposes.

In 2008 Estonia intensifi ed its relations with Morocco. In the summer, Latifa Akherbach, Deputy Foreign Minister of Morocco, visited Estonia. At the meeting with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, the ways to strengthening bilateral relations were discussed, and the readiness to conclude the agreements on the protection of investments and the avoidance of double taxation was expressed. Morocco is interested in the Estonian oil shale industry and oil shale processing technology; the possibilities for exchanging business delegations were also discussed.

In the beginning of 2008, Tunisia and Estonia held political consultations aimed at developing bilateral relations. Opportunities for co-operation in the fi eld of IT and tourism and creating conditions for facilitating travel between the countries were dis- cussed. During the consultations, Estonia’s fi rst Honorary Consulate in Tunisia was opened. The Estonian honorary consul in Tunis is Mr Jelil Bouraoui. On 16 December, Estonia established diplomatic relations with Libya.

Southern Africa Estonia’s relations with South African countries have until now been relatively modest. In the course of the UN General Assembly held in September in New York, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met his colleagues from the Republic of South Africa, Gabon, Senegal and Botswana to discuss African problems, the possibilities for EU assistance, and possibilities for allowing visa-free travel for Estonian citizens. The interest of Estonians

144 OVERVIEW OF BILATERAL RELATIONS 2008 / 2009

in understanding more about Africa`s economic potential, culture, and possibilities to develop relations were also discussed. There is a small number of Estonians residing in the Republic of South Africa, Namibia, and in some other African countries, and several Estonian companies have several business connections in Africa. Year by year, the number of Estonians visiting Africa has been increasing.

Latin America Estonia wishes to develop political co-operation with the countries of Latin American both in international organisations and bilaterally, especially in the fi eld of economic, tourism and cultural relations. Estonian citizens are already able to travel to several Latin American countries without a visa, and the opportunities to expand visa free travel were discussed with several other states in the region. Estonia is looking for ways to open new Honorary Consulates in the countries of the region.

In 2008, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met with Michelle Bachelet Jeria, President of Chile.

Economic co-operation between the EU and Latin American countries is picking up speed. In 2008, the EU started negotiations for signing association agreements with Central American states and with MERCOSUR4. Opportunities to start negotiations with the members of the Association of the Andes are also being weighed. Association agreements contain provisions on free trade and therefore would contribute to the development of economic relations.

The 5th summit of EU, Latin American and Caribbean Sea countries took place in Lima in May. Estonia was represented in Lima by Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. The matters discussed in this year’s summit were combating poverty and inequality, sustainable development, environment, climate change and energy issues. In his speech, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip talked about Estonia’s liberal economic model and regional co-operation, which has been the basis for Estonia’s economic success and the implementation of which could provide positive results in other countries as well.

On 15 May, prior to the summit of the heads of state, there was a meeting of EU-Latin American foreign ministers that discussed migration, combating drug traffi cking, inter- cultural dialogue and regional integration. In his speech, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet focused on drug traffi cking problems. Within the framework of the Lima summit, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with the foreign ministers of Mexico, Uruguay, Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados.

4 MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market)- regional free trade organisation of Latin America.

145 2008 / 2009 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK

In 2008, diplomatic relations between Barbados and Estonia were established.

In September, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met the foreign minister of Columbia when he was attending the UN General Assembly in New York. In May 2008, Columbia in- cluded Estonian citizens in its visa free programme, which should give new momentum for developing tourism relations. Estonia is supporting Columbia’s efforts for speeding up the trade negotiations between the EU and Latin American countries.

For developing bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visited Brazil and Argentina in April and met with his colleagues and members of the parliament of both countries. The issues of facilitating the travel of Estonian citizens to Brazil, economic co-operation, and the situation in the region were discussed. During the visit, the foreign minister opened the Estonian Honorary Consulate in Rio de Janeiro. Estonia’s new honorary consul in Rio de Janeiro is Mr Oskar Metsavaht.

At the end of November, the fi rst political consultations between the foreign ministries of Estonia and Mexico took place in Mexico City.

In 2008 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated half a million Estonian kroons through UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) for rebuilding schools in Haiti that had been hit by tropical storms and for building temporary school buildings.

146