Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 16 NO 40 OCT 11 - 19, 2006 THE STATE VISIT OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II AND HRH PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH TO ESTONIA Queen Elizabeth II arrives to the state dinner Speech by Her Majesty the Queen at the State Dinner in Tallinn, Estonia on Thursday 19 October Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Estonia Your Excellency, I am most grateful to you for your generous words, as I am for the warmth of the welcome Prince Philip and I have received in Estonia. This is the first visit we have paid here, but we already feel that we are amongst friends. You have spoken about the historic ties between the United Kingdom and Estonia. Our shared history, particularly during Estonia’s struggle for independence, is something that we will never forget, and tomorrow we will commemorate the 112 British servicemen who died fighting for Estonia. It is fitting that this naval cooperation between our two countries is being re-established with your purchase of three British naval mine-hunters, the first of which you will, with typical generosity of spirit, name after Admiral Cowan, who commanded the British cruiser squadron Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Kadriorg which fought alongside the Estonian forces. It will be a pleasure for me to present a funnel badge for the ship tomorrow. I also look forward to meeting some of your servicemen who will shortly be joining British forces in South Afghanistan. I know that it is a major undertaking for you, and will be your biggest mission abroad, for which we are most grateful. Estonian peace keepers have served with distinction in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, often in considerable danger, and yet despite tragic losses and injuries your resolve has never wavered. Your commitment to work for peace and stability in the world’s trouble spots is second to none. Your Excellency, any visitor to Estonia inevitably is struck by both its history and its modernity. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh We are here in this beautiful hall in the fairy-tale attended a concert and the British ambassador's setting of the Old Town, which richly deserves its reception at Kumu Art Museum. (Continued on page 2) (Continued from page 1) I would like to recall another happy day in the history of our nation – 12 December 1918 when status as a world heritage site. And yet, only a short thousands of Tallinners welcomed the arrival of the time ago, I was travelling through your rapidly British fleet. The assistance and support that Great expanding business district to visit your eye- Britain provided to Estonia in the difficult years of catching modern art gallery. The creativity, our war of independence in 1918-1920 was dynamism and optimism of the Estonian people are invaluable. We honour the memory of the British visible everywhere, and much in evidence in the servicemen who gave their lives in the fight for conversations we have had and the stories we have Estonia’s independence, and memorial plaques in heard. I see a strong similarity between our two Tallinn and Portsmouth commemorate them. As a countries in this: while we are both rightly proud of mark of respect, one of the warships that will arrive our cultural heritage, we know that we cannot just from Britain to supplement our navy will be named dwell on the past, but rather we must draw strength after Admiral Cowan. from it as we face the challenges of the future. Details of the activities of the merchant guild Estonia’s development since regaining its that built this house were first recorded exactly 600 independence has been remarkable. Your years ago in 1406. By then, Tallinn had already been entrepreneurial spirit, your innovative use of a member of the Hanseatic League for more than a information and communication technology, and century and played an important role in international your open and transparent economic climate has trade, in particular sea-borne trade. Among other resulted in dramatic growth, led by international Hanseatic partners, I would like to point to London, trade and investment. I am pleased that which is also confirmed by the ashlar stone on the commercial links with the United Kingdom have façade of this house displaying the coat of arms of contributed to this: Prince Philip saw a striking the local Hanseatic office from London. Ships example when he opened a British-owned factory brought not only goods to us, but also people from here this afternoon, and was able to discuss future all over Europe, who came here to live bringing new developments with members of the British-Estonian ideas and innovations. Among others, Oxford Chamber of Commerce, who celebrate their tenth University became one of the recognised places of anniversary this year. learning. We have seen how entrepreneurial spirit Your Excellency, I have inevitably been and openness to new technology have flourished in reflecting on a week in which I have also visited the United Kingdom throughout centuries, and this Latvia and Lithuania, countries that have shared is something that we also promote in Estonia today. with you so many of the dark pages of twentieth In addition, your country was a source of inspiration century history. I have seen three very different for important social ideas affecting the development countries, but have seen one feature that you all of the ideals and values of the Estonian nation. share. It is that indomitable spirit, which was able During the difficult period of foreign to keep alive the flame of independence, despite all occupation after 1940, we drew strength from a attempts to extinguish it, during the very worst of dedication to democratic values and ideals. They times. It is this spirit which has driven forward the helped us to withstand alien ideology and violence rapid political, economic and social change in all and to maintain the desire for freedom for half a your countries, change which is not something to be century. The policy of non-recognition of Soviet measured simply by statistics, but in the freedom, occupation by the United Kingdom and other peace and prosperity which all your peoples now democratic countries supported the perseverance of enjoy. our people. We are deeply grateful to the United Your Excellency, history dictated that our Kingdom for receiving thousands of our refugees countries endured a long and enforced separation in who went on to become good citizens. One of their our relationship. But now, as partners in the descendants has even been elected to the House of European Union, and Allies in NATO, we are closer Commons. than ever before, and ready to face together the After regaining independence we know what challenges of the twenty-first century. I wish you a normal society, based on civil values, rights and and your people every happiness and success, and liberties is like. If we add to this the nation’s invite your guests to join me in a toast to: creative energy that was released after our people The President and the People of the Republic regained their freedom, you will understand how our of Estonia. comprehensive reforms that laid the basis for the rapid development of today were born. The development of relations between our Speech by the President of the Republic two countries has also been dynamic in the past 15 at the State Dinner years. Trade has grown considerably and, on the whole, is balanced. UK companies have invested in Your Majesty, Estonia directly, as well as through the Nordic Your Royal Highness, countries. I would like to use the opportunity to Excellencies, thank you for the extensive assistance that the Ladies and Gentlemen! United Kingdom has provided to Estonia in a number I have the great pleasure of welcoming you, of areas, such as the rebuilding of the defence Your Majesty and Your Royal Highness on your State forces, education and research, and the Visit to Estonia. This remarkable event will become a development of the police force, to give just a few milestone in the history of relations between our two examples. In various professional fields British countries. The Estonian people have welcomed your experts have worked in Estonia and shared their visit with great warmth. experience. I would like to express particular gratitude to the British Council for their systematic FOREIGN NEWS and enthusiastic work in Estonia. British Foreign Secretary Praises Military This State Visit is definitely a very serious confirmation of the extensiveness and closeness of Cooperation with Estonia relations between Estonia and the United Kingdom. Oct 19 - British Foreign Secretary Margaret But it also marks the beginning of a new phase in Beckett, who accompanied Queen Elizabeth II which our two countries cooperate as good partners, during her visit to Estonia, recognized the two and where the word “assistance” has largely been countries' successful military cooperation in replaced by the word “cooperation” in its true sense. Afghanistan during her lunch with Estonian As a beautiful symbol of this, a few hours ago we Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. listened to the concert by the Estonian Philharmonic Paet said that Estonia shares the same Chamber Choir under the direction of its principal position with Great Britain concerning further conductor Paul Hillier from the United Kingdom. Or enlargement of the European Union that all another example from a completely different field is European countries that are ready for accession, the purchase of three warships from the United meet the required criteria and want to accede must Kingdom.