Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V a a D E VOLUME 20 NO 42 NOV 26 – DEC 2, 2010

Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 20 NO 42 NOV 26 – DEC 2, 2010

FOREIGN NEWS FOREIGN NEWS EU IT Agency for Justice and Home Affairs to be Situated in Tallinn 2 December (BNS) - The Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels on Thursday approved the establishment of the headquarters of the EU's IT agency for justice and home affairs in the Estonian capital Tallinn. EU justice and interior ministers gave their political backing to the two-nation offer by Estonian Interior Minister Marko Pomerants and French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux as regards the location of the IT agency in Tallinn, spokespeople for the Interior Ministry told BNS.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet with Foreign Minister of New Zealand According to the arrangement Murry McCully, 26 November. submitted to the council for approval, the headquarters of the agency would be situated in Tallinn. Estonia to Open Consulate in Australia That Will Also Cover Operational management of the New Zealand servers will remain in Strasbourg, 26 November - At their meeting in Tallinn today, Foreign Minister where the servers of the Urmas Paet informed his colleague from New Zealand Murry information systems ensuring the McCully that Estonia plans to open an honorary consulate in Sydney EU's internal security are situated next year that will also cover New Zealand. “This will be our first also today. The joint Estonian- consulate in the region, and it will help to strengthen relations,” Foreign French offer is based on the EU Minister Paet said at the meeting. “Nearly 10 000 Estonian live in Australia, policy according to which the and in New Zealand there are a remarkable 1 400 people with Estonian headquarters of new agencies will roots,” Paet added. be set up in new member states for At the meeting, Foreign Minister Paet expressed his condolences to his the sake of greater cohesion. colleague and the people of New Zealand over the mining accident in which 29 miners were lost due to an explosion in a coal mine. Estonian Rescue Workers In talking about communication on the international level, the foreign Highly Valued in Crisis Areas ministers addressed the EU and New Zealand’s co-operation within the framework agreement and the fact that the EU is New Zealand’s second 29 November - Foreign Minister trade partner by volume. While talking about NATO, Foreign Minister Paet Urmas Paet, Minister of the emphasised that NATO’s co-operation with like-minded countries is Interior Marko Pomerants, and important. “Afghanistan is a good example of this co-operation. New director general of the Rescue Zealand has about 230 soldiers participating in the ISAF mission in Board Kalev Timberg presented Afghanistan and Estonia will also continue to serve there on its current mission medals to members of level, a maximum of 170 soldiers,” said Paet. the Estonian Disaster Relief At the meeting, the foreign ministers also discussed the agreement on Team that have gone on short-term youth working and holiday visas that came into effect in 2007, humanitarian missions to which has been used on 69 occasions. “We hope that more New Zealanders disaster areas in Haiti, Poland will take advantage of the agreement and come to Estonia,” said Paet. and Moldova. Mission medals were During the course of their meeting, the Estonian foreign minister gave given to 26 Estonian rescue his colleague an overview of the Eastern Partnership Centre starting up in workers. Tallinn. “We can offer New Zealand the help of the centre if it wishes to implement projects in the Eastern Partnership countries,” said Foreign Continued on page 2 Minister Paet.

Rescue Workers ability to actively respond to a variety of situations has improved year after year. “In order to help (continued from page 1) people in conflict and post-war regions and restore a

normal way of life, we can not only send financial support, but increasingly we can also send manpower to help out in crisis areas,” said Timberg. Russian Consul Sergei Stepanov also presented medals from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations to the Estonian rescue workers for their help in extinguishing this summer’s forest fires. In 2010 Estonia has made voluntary donations to international humanitarian aid organisations and earmarked donations to Haiti, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Sudan. Those sums in addition to the cost of sending rescue workers and supplies to disaster areas totalled 0.99 million EUR. We have sent experts to provide aid in Haiti (17 logistics and medical experts), Afghanistan (2 Foreign Minister Urmas Paet (right), director medical experts), Russia (2 experts), Poland (9 general of the Rescue Board Kalev Timberg and experts), Moldova (11 experts), and Pakistan (4 Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants experts). presenting medals to Estonian rescue workers, 29 November. Paet Invites Netherlands to Participate in Baltic Air Policing At the medal ceremony, Foreign Minister Urmas 2 December - During his meeting in The Hague Paet thanked the participants in rescue missions for today with Dutch Foreign Minister Uri their readiness and dedication to participate in Rosenthal, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet invited difficult missions and help those in need. “The Haiti the Netherlands to participate in the Baltic air earthquake, Russian forest fires, and floods in policing mission. “The Netherlands participated in Pakistan, Poland and Moldova are among the many policing our skies in 2005 and is welcome to do so natural disasters in 2010 to which Estonia sent its again,” he added. experts. Our rescue workers remain involved in the Paet and Rosenthal emphasised the importance humanitarian aid mission in post-flood Pakistan,” of defence-related co-operation between the said Paet. The foreign minister added that in Netherlands and Estonia. “In October Estonia signed addition to tackling the aftermath of natural an agreement with the Netherlands to procure SISU disasters, Estonia is also helping to promote the armoured vehicles for the Estonian Defence Forces. health of people in Afghanistan, especially women We also highly value the Netherlands’ offer of and children. training opportunities for Estonian officers and “Estonia has managed to respond quickly to officials who work with defence policy at the emergency situations and our efficient activities and Netherlands Defence College and in the Belgium- contributions are noticed in Estonia and further Netherlands Mine Warfare School,” he added. abroad,” Paet emphasised, adding that the members Estonia and the Netherlands are of the position of the Estonian Disaster Relief Team are highly that the EU should enforce a stricter financial and valued and trusted experts. The foreign minister economic policy than before. “We are both of the stated that Estonian experts are invited to join UN position that the European Union budget for next and European Union evaluation missions. Estonia year should not increase by more than 2.91%. The has also become a significant co-operation partner budget must be geared towards achieving the goals in its own region. “We formed a team to deal with of the European Union’s new economic growth and the aftermath of flooding together with Latvia and employment strategy ‘Europe 2020’,” said Foreign Lithuania. Estonia belongs to the International Minister Paet. Humanitarian Partnership network along with the The Netherlands is an important investor in Nordic countries and the Netherlands, England and Estonia. “In terms of direct investments, the Germany,” he noted. Netherlands ranks third among nations that invest in Interior Minister Marko Pomerants stated that the Estonia, after Finland and Sweden,” said Paet. There participation of Estonian rescue workers in are 261 businesses with Dutch participation in international missions is a good example of Estonia. development as well as cross-border co-operation. Relations between the Netherlands and Estonia “Estonia fulfils its international obligations worthily are strengthened by the opportunity to learn and helps those who are in need. We will also Estonian that is offered at the University of receive help if the Estonian state is ever in need of Groningen. aid. Our rescue workers have met international The ministers also spoke about co-operation standards on their missions and we would like to between Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, formally recognise their service,” said Interior Belgium and Luxembourg. Estonia will be organising Minister Pomerants while thanking the Disaster the meeting of the Baltic and Benelux foreign Relief Team members. ministers next year. The Estonian and Dutch foreign Director general of the Rescue Board Kalev ministers also discussed matters related to the Timberg stated that the members of the Estonian further enlargement of the European Union and Disaster Relief Team that have gone to disaster NATO’s relations with Russia. Foreign Minister Uri areas have done their work very well and their Rosenthal stated that the Dutch public is inclined to result of the domestic conflict that has gone on for being sceptical about EU enlargement. Foreign years in Sudan, a million people have lost their lives Minister Urmas Paet stated that it is essential for all or been forced to leave their homes. “The goal of European nations to maintain a clear perspective for UNICEF’s activities is to help more than two million joining the EU and that progress in the accession people in need,” stated Paet. process should be based on achievements; however, According to the assessments of the UN and it is also important that the candidate nations fulfil other international organisations, the situation in all the required conditions. Sudan could become even more unstable as a result Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia would like of the independence referendum scheduled for 9 for the European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern January of next year and humanitarian needs there Partnership to be made stronger, which is important could grow exponentially. “In the past year, for both the target countries and the European hundreds of thousand of Southern Sudanese Union. The foreign minister said that Estonia, for its refugees have started returning to their homes in part, has been working actively on Eastern response to an appeal by the government, and in Partnership initiatives. “An Eastern Partnership light of the Southern Sudan independence training centre will begin working in Tallinn very referendum this number could increase even more,” soon, the goal of which is to help increase said Paet. “In many regions of Sudan there is a administrative capacity in the public sector of tremendous need for humanitarian aid due to Eastern Partnership states and share reform domestic conflicts and difficult natural conditions, experiences. Representatives of the Netherlands are especially in Southern Sudan and in Darfur in the also welcome to contribute to the work of the western part of the country,” he added. centre,” said Foreign Minister Paet. The UN high commissioner for humanitarian affairs estimates that the amount of aid needed to Prime Minister Stresses Importance of respond to November’s appeal and in order to react Information Technology at EU-Africa to the worsening situation and emergency situations is 19.1 million euros in Southern Sudan, a total of Summit 28.8 million euros for all of Sudan. The greatest 29 November (BNS) - In his speech at the third need is for food aid and drinking water. The UN European Union-Africa summit in the Libyan estimates that 4.3 million people are in need of food capital Tripoli on Monday, Estonian Prime aid, which is nearly half of the population of Minister Andrus Ansip stressed the importance Southern Sudan. of information technology. Estonia has supported aid for the humanitarian The prime minister expressed satisfaction that situation in Sudan since 2004. more and more countries worldwide see the effect that information and communication technology had Traffic on Rail Baltica Route Could Be on all walks of life and how this contributes to the Launched in 2012 development of a transparent, inclusive and economically sustainable society, spokespeople for 2 December - Estonia's minister of economic the Estonian government said. affairs said after meeting with colleagues from "Those countries have also saved time and saved Latvia and Lithuania and European Commission on costs," Ansip said before eighty heads of state officials in Brussels today that it is time for the and heads of government who had gathered in the countries to proceed from words to deeds Libyan capital. He said that this was felt very well in when it comes to passenger train traffic Estonia, a country where 83% of public services are between Tallinn and Warsaw, and the Ministry provided via the Internet at this point. of Economic Affairs and Communications Ansip stressed that Estonia is ready to engage in believes that trains could start running in still closer co-operation with African countries which 2012. wish to build up their own e-government. Estonia considers it important and realistic to Estonia already participates actively in the joint restore passenger train traffic on the existing Rail expert group on science and information technology Baltica route in the near future using the automatic of the European Union and Africa. The prime track gauge change technique on the border minister expressed the opinion that this kind of co- between Lithuania and Poland. Trains could operation entails immense potential for small and realistically travel at 120 kilometers per hour on the medium sized companies. existing infrastructure, the minister said. Ansip had several bilateral meetings on the "Estonia has with the support of the European sidelines of the EU-Africa summit, discussing co- Union invested hundreds of millions of kroons in Rail operation opportunities in the IT domain with Baltica and is ready to move ahead with this project. representatives of Zambia, Cabo Verde and This calls for a concrete contribution from other Botswana, among others. parties as well," the minister said. According to the ministry's information, Latvia Estonia to Help Children Caught in and Lithuania backed the Estonian initiative and confirmed their readiness to make a contribution to Turmoil in Southern Sudan restoring train traffic. 30 November - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet The Estonian minister of economic affairs and stated that Estonia is donating 900 000 kroons communications, Juhan Parts, said that thousands of (57 500 EUR) through UNICEF to help alleviate tourists arrive in Estonia daily from Finland and the situation of civilians suffering in the Russia looking for opportunities to continue their turmoil taking place in Southern Sudan, journey. "We need to think more broadly in terms of particularly children. geography and look forward, think about our Sudan continues to be classified by the UN as children," he said. one of the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe The ministers agreed in the meeting that a areas. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that as a detailed action plan for opening passenger train

3 traffic on the Rail Baltica route between Tallinn, DOMESTIC NEWS Riga, Kaunas, Bialystok and Warsaw will be mapped Eco-Friendly Printing Plant Brings Home out by rail operators in co-operation with government representatives and the work will be co- Award From Brussels ordinated by the European Commission. The first meeting was scheduled for January. In the process of reforming the EU's transport networks policy it is necessary to make Rail Baltica a part of the bloc's core transport network, the Ministry of Economy and Communications said. This would ensure possible investments in the new budget period 2014-2020. Estonia will together with EU support invest close to 1.3 billion kroons (EUR 83.1 mln) in Rail Baltica in 2008-2011.

Estonian Ambassador to Malta Presents Credentials 26 November - On Thursday, 25 November, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Representative of Ecoprint receiving the EMAS Republic of Malta Merike Kokajev presented award, 1 December. her credentials to President of Malta George Abela. Ambassador Merike Kokajev resides in 1 December (ERR) - A Tartu printing plant has Rome. brought home a prestigious EMAS 2010 In the discussion that followed the ceremony, environmental management award handed out Ambassador Kokajev and President Abela by the European Commission in Brussels. acknowledged that Estonia-Malta bilateral relations Ecoprint's triumph in the small business category are warm and friendly. “As small nations and marks the first time the award has travelled to European Union members, Estonia and Malta have a Estonia. lot in common, which helps us develop our bilateral This year's EMAS drew a record number of relations,” said Kokajev. candidates – 42 organisations from 15 countries – At their meeting, they discussed opportunities for and the theme was efficient use of water and co-operation in international organisations, primarily energy, waste generation and carbon dioxide in the UN and Council of Europe, where as small emissions. nations they can reciprocally support each other’s Ecoprint, which joined the EMAS system this year candidacies. “One of the sectors with the greatest and relies on rainwater and solar energy for over development potential between Estonia and Malta is half of its resource requirements, has been tourism,” noted Kokajev. Another important sector recognised in the past. It won Environmental Deed for co-operation is education. “Maltese President of the Year in 2007 and 2008 in the environmental Abela proposed that there be co-operation between management field of the competition organised by the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies the Ministry of the Environment. and the Eastern Partnership Training Centre being In 2009, the company was recognised as the created in Estonia,” said the ambassador. year's most active business on the environmental Merike Kokajev said that the Maltese president conservation front. had words of praise for Estonia’s economic situation. Ambassador Kokajev thanked Malta for its support in our transition to the euro, in which one important DEFENCE NEWS factor was the report on Estonia’s euro eligibility compiled by Maltese member of the European Aaviksoo: Estonian Cyber Defence is Held Parliament Eduard Scicluna. in High Regard in USA Merike Kokajev was born in Tartu in 1956 and 2 December - While visiting the US Cyber graduated from Leningrad State University with a Command yesterday, Minister of Defence Jaak degree in French language and literature. Kokajev Aaviksoo stated that Estonia can contribute a has been working for the Foreign Ministry since lot more to the security of NATO and its allies 1991. Ambassador Kokajev has worked in the in the field of cyber security than its size protocol department, the embassy in Brussels, suggests. Estonia’s permanent representation in Geneva, the In Ft. George Meade, Aaviksoo met with the Foreign Ministry’s division for international Commander of US Cyber Command General Keith organisations, and Estonia’s permanent Alexander and was given an overview of the cyber representation to the UN. From 2005-2007 Kokajev defence organisation in the US. According to was a member of the UN Permanent Forum on Aaviksoo the importance of cyber security and its Indigenous Issues. Prior to assuming her current meaning among the defence capabilities of the USA position, Merike Kokajev worked in the Foreign is ever present. “The messages of President Ministry’s state protocol department as the director Obama’s cyber security co-ordinator Howard of the division for ceremonies and visits. Since 2010, Schmidt and General Alexander about the newly Kokajev has been the ambassador of the Republic of created Cyber Command are extremely clear – cyber Estonia to the Republic of Italy and the Republic of threats are the most dangerous and likely threats to San Marino. Ambassador Kokajev speaks English, the US and its allies in the coming years,” stated Russian, and French. Aaviksoo. Aaviksoo added that Estonia is remarkably competent and experienced in this field and that this is also extremely valued among our allies. “I am

4 confident that especially in the field of cyber security European Commission Forecasts 4.4% lies Estonia’s strongest contribution, despite our Economic Growth for Estonia in 2011 small size, in providing security for NATO and its allies,” added Aaviksoo. 29 November (BNS) - According to a new Defence Minister Aaviksoo also met with Howard economic forecast by the European McKeon, the incoming Chairman of the House of Commission, Estonia's economy should grow Representatives Committee of Armed Services. 2.4% this year, 4.4% next year and 3.5% the During the meeting, Aaviksoo presented McKeon following year. The Commission expects that the with an overview of the current Estonian and inflation in Estonia will be respectively 2.7, 3.6 and European vision on security. The importance of each 2.3% during the same years. Unemployment should NATO member allocating 2% of the GDP to defence fall to 15.1% next years and to 13.6% in 2012. funding was once again stressed and Member of the The government sector budget deficit with House McKeon agreed that the permanent military respect to the gross domestic project is expected to presence of the US in Europe must continue in its grow from 1.0% this year to 1.9% next year and to current form. 2.7% in 2012. The minister also met with the White House cyber security co-ordinator Howard Schmidt. Growth of Industrial Production in On Tuesday Aaviksoo visited the NATO Allied October Biggest This Year at 37% Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, where 30 November (BNS) - The production of he met with General Stephane Abrial. During the industrial enterprises in Estonia grew by 37% meeting they discussed the consequences of the year-on-year in October, showing the biggest Lisbon summit, the roles of ACT in the new NATO monthly increase this year, the national military structure and latest developments in the statistics office said. field of cyber security. The moderate growth recorded at the beginning Today Aaviksoo will take part in a briefing at the of 2010 was followed by a rapid increase in spring, think tank Atlantic Council, where the most and in summer enterprises had over 20% and in important developments of the US foreign policy will September slightly over 30% more production than be discussed. The minister of defence will also pay in the corresponding months of 2009. The growth of tribute today at the Memorial for the Victims of production is driven mainly by external demand as Communism in Washington. before. On Friday Aaviksoo will meet with his US In October the production of manufacturing counterpart Robert Gates in the Pentagon. The increased by around 40% on annual comparison. planned topics of discussion will be the Lisbon Export sales of the manufacturing production summit, new strategic concept of NATO, the increased significantly - by 54%. More than two operation in Afghanistan and the cyber security co- thirds of the whole manufacturing output was sold operation between Estonia and the US. on the external market. The demand on the Aaviksoo is accompanied on his visit by Sven domestic market was considerably lower - domestic Sakkov, Undersecretary for Defence Policy and sales increased by 13% compared to the same Colonel Ilmar Tamm, Director of NATO’s Cooperative month last year. Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. The minister of Production exceeded the volume of the previous defence will return to Estonia on Saturday. year in most branches of industry in October. The

growth in the production of manufacturing was most

influenced by the branches having a bigger share in ECONOMIC NEWS the overall volume - manufacturing of electronic IMF Delegation Visiting Estonia products where the production increased more than fourfold, and wood processing where the production 2 December (BNS) - A delegation of the grew by a quarter. As to the smaller branches of International Monetary Fund will be on an manufacturing, production increased considerably in annual visit to Estonia from Thursday until 13 the manufacture of motor vehicles, machinery and December to discuss economic policy matters equipment mainly due to the increase in exports. with representatives of the government and The rapid growth in production was partly also the private sector. The four-member delegation is influenced by the low reference base of 2009 whose headed by Alexander Hoffmaister, the Bank of effect will last until the end of this year. Regardless Estonia said. of the rapid increase, the summed up ten months' The IMF mission will be given an overview of the industrial production just reached the level of 2005. development and outlooks of the Estonian economy, the situation of the financial sector, and the development of fiscal policy. Estonian Companies’ Sales Revenues Up During the nearly two-week visit, the 15% on Year in Q3 representatives of the IMF will meet with members 30 November (BNS) - Sales revenues of Estonian of the government and the parliament, executives companies increased by 15% year-on-year to and analysts of the central bank and the Financial 144.6 billion kroons (EUR 9.24 mln) in the Supervisory Authority, heads of commercial banks third quarter of this year, the national and private companies, and economic analysts. statistics office reports. The International Monetary Fund annually Compared to the second quarter, sales revenues discusses important economic policy issues with all grew by 4%. In the first nine months of this year its member countries. After the annual main mission sales revenues totalled 401.3 billion kroons or 7% the fund will draw up a report with economic policy more than at the same time last year. assessments on Estonia. Third-quarter revenues of the sectors with the largest volumes - wholesale and retail trade and

5 maintenance and repair of vehicles - were 57.6 billion kroons, an increase of 11% year-on-year. ESTONIAN REVIEW Sales revenues of the manufacturing sector grew (ISSN 1023-1951) by 3%, amounting to 31 billion kroons in the third Is issued by the quarter. Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ISLANDI VÄLJAK 1, TALLINN, ESTONIA 15049 The average number of persons employed was TEL +372 637 7600 370 330, down by 4% year-on-year and by 1% FAX +372 637 7617 compared to the second quarter. Estonian Review is also available over the

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To subscribe, please contact: [email protected] CULTURAL NEWS Estonian Review is compiled in co-operation with Competition for Estonian-Latvian and the Baltic News Service http://www.bns.ee/ Latvian-Estonian Translation Prize Begins 1 December - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and

Latvian Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis announced that the competition for recognising the best Latvian and Estonian- language translators is now open. The best translator of 2010 will be announced in February 2011. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the translation competition is taking place for the second time. “Recognising Estonian-Latvian and Latvian- Estonian translators is becoming an annual project. We hope that this year there will also be some Estonian translators among the candidates for the prize,” said Paet. The foreign minister added that with the translation award, Estonia and Latvia would like to help express the value of works that have already been translated and inspire young Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translators to take on new challenges. “The Estonian-Latvian and Latvian- Estonian translation award emphasises the importance of the Estonian and Latvian languages as well as cultural exchange in order to advance the professionalism of translators of literature as well as political, popular science, historical, sociological, memoirs and other texts,” asserted Paet. The foreign minister stated that the translation award also demonstrates the extremely good co-operation between the foreign ministries of Estonia and Latvia. Last year the prize went to Latvian translator Maima Grīnberga, who has translated the works of many important Estonian authors into Latvian, including those of Jaan Kross, Enn Veetma, and authors of books for children and young people such as Aidi Vallik, Sass Henno, and Andrus Kivirähk. The monetary value of the award is 3 000 euros, to which both sides are contributing equally. The jury will contain representatives from the foreign ministries of the two countries and the director of each nation’s literature information centre. The idea to establish the award came from Estonian Ambassador to Latvia Jaak Jõerüüt and Latvian Ambassador to Estonia Kārlis Eihenbaums. The agreement that established the Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translation award was signed by Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Latvian Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš on 18 February 2009. Nominees for the translation competition can be submitted through the application form found on the Foreign Ministry’s website. The deadline for nominations is 16 January 2011.