Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 19 NO 8 FEB 18 - 24, 2009 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Mrs. Evelin Ilves hosted a formal reception on 24 February. President Ilves: Estonians Need Solidarity in This Difficult Time 24 February - In his Independence Day speech, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves called upon the Estonian public to understand the nature and reasons for the crisis that has shaken the global and Estonian economies. He encouraged everyone to strive to overcome these difficult times together and not to look for culprits. "We are in a crisis that is largely out of our control," President Ilves acknowledged in his speech at the Jõhvi Concert Hall on the occasion of the 91st anniversary of Estonia's independence. "The situation in Estonia, and in the countries where the banks active in Estonia have their headquarters, has passed the point where someone or something could be blamed for what has happened." President Ilves spoke about his own responsibility and that of the citizenry, government, parliament, opposition and entrepreneurs. He also called upon everyone to shoulder the responsibility for what has happened together instead of placing blame, since it will then be easier to make a common effort and change our attitude. According to the head of state, the negative supplementary budget, with all its faults, was inevitable and predicted that we have not seen the last of such budget cuts. "Therefore I wish that those least affected by these cuts would not concentrate on their losses, but would realise that others have suffered more," President Ilves said. Ilves called upon the government and the parliament to preserve the credibility of our financial policy and the foundations of a democratic country. "Economic decline cannot suspend the Estonian Constitution," the head of state declared, calling on the coalition and opposition to conduct a full and open debate for drafting next year's budget. The absence of an open debate involving all of society can amplify the disappointment in Estonian democracy and the institutions upholding it, warned President Ilves. Democracy is one of the first victims of crises, because that is when democracy suffers due to populism. The President said that Estonia first and foremost needs solidarity and the realisation that we cannot manage without the support of others. President Ilves called upon the Estonian people to see solidarity as a way to pay our debt for Estonia's independence and statehood, which, despite the current crisis, has allowed us to live in a manner that one dared only dream about half a century ago. "This is the time to realise that we have confused the freedom to consume with the freedom to decide in favour of human values. The sum of our quality of life is composed of intellectual values, rich human relations, a healthy lifestyle, happy children and strong feelings of fellowship. This is where we must invest our time, intelligence, emotions and will," stated President Ilves at the formal concert to mark the 91st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. (The full text of the president’s speech can be found at www.president.ee/en.) FOREIGN NEWS ambitious partnership with our neighbours to date. The partnership is also a security guarantee for all Paet: European Economic Recovery Plan those involved,” said Paet. Also Tied to Energy Security 23 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet Georgian Parliament Speaker Discusses participated in a session of the General Affairs Country’s Developments and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels. 19 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and In the general affairs session, the foreign policy Speaker of the Georgian Parliament David leaders of the European Union discussed the Bakradze had a meeting in Tallinn, during implementation of the European economic recovery which they emphasised that international plan that was approved in the European Council in monitoring missions must be guaranteed December 2008. They addressed the projects that access to all parts of Georgia’s territory. “The the European Commission proposed should receive role of an international presence in Georgia and an additional 5 million EUR investment in order to access to Georgia’s entire territory are extremely create important energy connections, develop valuable for stabilising the region,” said Paet. internet infrastructure in all rural areas of the EU, Paet stated that Estonia is an active supporter of and address the new challenges of rural life. Foreign visa facilitation and free trade agreements with Minister Paet stated that the proposed projects are Georgia. “The European Union should conclude a well-balanced among various sectors and regions. visa facilitation agreement with Georgia as soon as “The prioritised and potential energy connection possible,” emphasised the foreign minister. Paet projects to be funded, including Estlink-2, pointed out that it is illogical that Russian citizens significantly strengthen the network connections of living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have the the whole Baltic region in terms of both gas and opportunity for simplified travel to the European electrical connections,” Paet noted. “The criteria for Union, but Georgian citizens do not. choosing projects should not underestimate the While speaking about Georgia and NATO, Foreign importance of increasing energy security,” Paet Minister Urmas Paet noted that Georgia has shown a added. clear desire to continue fulfilling its responsibility to The European Union foreign ministers confirmed reform the nation. “Georgia must continue that 2009 will be a decisive year for Afghanistan’s implementing democratic reforms. Estonia supports reconstruction and democratic development because all the political powers in Georgia that are helping of the presidential and municipal elections taking the nation’s development,” Paet said. Bakradze place in August. stated that the country is making efforts to continue Foreign Minister Paet stated that developments in the development of the civil society in the conditions Afghanistan this year will also be affected by the of the current economic depression. The government new administration of the United States that came has cut the budget, but the expenses in the field of into office. “We must intensify co-operation between education and social affairs are still increasing. The the EU and the USA, in terms of both policies and government is also engaged in a plan to enliven the concrete activities,” said Foreign Minister Paet. “This economy, which mainly prescribes investments in should be a priority on the agenda of EU-USA infrastructure. meetings within the framework of transatlantic “Estonia consistently supports Georgia’s dialogue,” Paet elaborated. Paet stated that it is democratic development and the development of important that new opportunities to guarantee state institutions. We are ready to organise seminars security will be utilised. The European Union Police for Georgian officials within the framework of Mission (EUPOL) has become more and more visible development co-operation on topics of interest, such in Afghanistan, which is why the European Union as European Union integration,” Paet added. should fulfil its promise to double its mission. Parliament Speaker David Bakradze also met Estonia plans to contribute a rule of law expert in with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Speaker of the addition to the police experts that are currently in Riigikogu Ene Ergma, and Prime Minister Andrus the mission. Ansip. During his meeting, Prime Minister Ansip The EU foreign ministers also analysed the stated that what happened last year in August was a content and sticking points of the European tragedy. “Estonia did and will continue to support Neighbourhood Policy Eastern Dimension in order to the territorial integrity of Georgia,” he stressed. advance the conception of Eastern Partnership so that it could be approved at the spring Council. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the communication on strengthening Eastern Partnership given last December in a good basis for developing concrete and long-term policies for drawing target countries closer to the European Union. “It is important not to dilute measures aimed towards Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus in the Eastern Partnership packet,” said Foreign Minister Paet. “Concluding association agreements, facilitating visa policies, having tighter economic integration and creating profound free trade agreements which have the Prime Minister Andrus Ansip with Georgian ultimate goal of a free trade zone including the EU Parliament Speaker David Bakradze, 19 and the target countries are marks of the most February Paet Discusses Adoption of Euro with In order for the reconstruction of Afghanistan to Latvian Counterpart be successful, close co-operation in the field of medicine is needed. “The people of Helmand 18 February - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met province need a normally functioning living with his colleague Māris Riekstiņš, Latvian environment that includes basic health care President Valdis Zatlers, and speaker of the services,” said Argo Parts. The primary job of the Seim Gundars Daudze in Riga. They discussed Estonian health care expert is to co-ordinate the bilateral relations, matters of energy and security creation of a network of medical facilities, policy, Eastern Partnership, relations with Russia, emergency services, and other aspects of the health efforts to alleviate the effects of the economic crisis, care realm. and regional co-operation. MTÜ Mondo member Anu Raisma has long-term At his meeting with the Latvian foreign minister, experience working in the health care sector and has Paet introduced Estonia’s endeavours to join the participated in missions in various crisis regions, Euro-zone. “Adopting the euro is very important including Indonesia and Pakistan, under the auspices with regards to increasing security, as it will of the Estonian Disaster Relief Team. Raisma has influence not just financial security, but also security been a member of the Disaster Relief Team since in Estonia and the Baltic region as a whole,” said 1999.