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Lise Nicoline Kleven Grevstad speech at IRL seminar "Equal opportunities in labour market"

2011-12-13

Ladies and gentlemen,

First I would like to say that I am very proud and pleased to be invited to present to you the gender equality situation in Norway. This has been and still is one of the most important issues in Norway. So thank you for the invitation.

You have asked me to speak about women in business with a specific focus on quotas in the board rooms of companies in Norway. So I will do. But in order to fully understand how this has worked out in Norway - reactions and results - it is important to keep in mind how gender equality has evolved in my country.

When I was a student in the 80s we were not too many women at master level. Those of us who were master students often got the question - why - don't you want to have children as if this was a clash of interests. We answered like Winnie the Poo - thank you - we want both. And this has been and still is the "Colombus Egg" of Norwegian gender politics - combining gender equality with comprehensive family and parental provisions. Today 80% of women work and the fertility rate is 1.98 among the highest in the developed world.

Let me quote my Minister: PHOTO
"Nations of the world will only prosper and develop when using the talents and competence of all their citizens. There is clear scientific evidence that the participation of women and girls in education, work life and the economy - along with boys and men, makes a significant difference in GNP, effectiveness, innovation and competitive edge."

"The right to gainful work and a wage to sustain your own life, is a basic human right, along with the right to political participation, regardless of your gender. The freedom for men and women alike, to have careers and families; not to be forced to choose "either - or", is basic to modern society. I would say that there is broad consensus on this approach today."

Why is it so?

We have worked on making enabling policies and structures since 1960s and thus empowered girls and women to be visible in the labour market, to be eligable to high positions in board rooms as well as to compete for top management jobs in private and public sectors. It has not always been an easy match. It has also been an ongoing battle fed by impatience and campaigns, often confronting the Government. Values decisions as these always are, would not carry through parliament without the support from women's NGO's, consultations and negotiations with social partners and now men's voices as well.

Before I present to you some milestones in the gender equality history in Norway, allow me to start with some personal reflections. I am born in 1954. I grew up with female emancipation. My daughter born in 1981 grew up with a female PM. Nobody would ask her why she went to university.

We had to fight our rights.
Examples from
• cross country skiing and ski jumping
Things started to really move in the beginning of 1970's. A clear reflection is the female coup during local elections in 1971 - deleting men from the list. Photo 3. Majority of women.

Each year in 70'2 gathered lots of people March 8 - rather confronting attitudes.
• Different slogans. Examples.

And results came. It worked.

Already in the 1970s, some political parties adopted male/female quotas on the electoral lists on voluntary basis. In 1981 we got the the Gender Equality Act which since then has contained rules on gender representation in publicly appointed boards, committees, councils, delegations to mention some. Since 1988 the requirement has been 40 percent. So the use of quotas is not a new measure in Norwegian policymaking. It has a long history.

All the demonstrations, all the debates, the female revolution paved the way to our first female prime minister in 1986 - Gro Harlem Brundtland. PHOTO Since that time all governments have kept the unwritten rule of at least 40 per cent of each sex in the Cabinet.
Photo 2. Party leaders today. In 1993 we included a provision in the Municipal Act to secure gender balance in local political committees.

Today the political participation of women is quite high with parity in Cabinet, 40% in Parliament and as an average in local and regional councils.

No let me turn to women in business and quotas which has been heavily debated. In 2003 the Norwegian Parliament passed the law requiring large enterprises noted on the stock exchange market (Public Limited Companies) to have more than 40 per cent women in their boardroom positions. We have now introduced the same rule for state-owned companies and cooperatives, and we have recently included small companies where municipalities own 2/3 or more of the shares.

Why did we do this? In 2003 women were visible in all pther sectors of society as outstanding and competent but not in the corporate sector. A figure of 7% women on the boards of the 500 largest companies (2003), was an issue of political embarrassment. So time was more than ripe for change and innovation. But this was no easy match. The law was rather controversial.

Several top Norwegian business leaders say today that at the time they were opposed in principle to quotas, but believe now the law has been effective and are happy with the results. Fears of not finding enough qualified women to fill board seats proved unfounded. Another expressed fear that "women would not take on such responsibilities" was totally unfounded. That companies would have to flee Norway as to prosper, was another "popular" saying in 2003, but Norwegian companies are doing quite well. This has changed the mental images of women's abilities and possibilities forever.

Today we see
• 40,2% women on the boards of PLC's
• 17% women on the boards of private companies
• 27% female top managers in the State sector (ministries etc), 47% middle managers
• 20% female top managers in private sector (all) Still a way to go.
• 36% female middle m. in private sector (all)
• 42% female top managers in Municipal sector (though only 18,4% head of Municipal councils).

Let me show you 4 photos of women in top positions.
Recent research supports that diversity in the board rooms pays.
Morten Huse (Oslo Business School)/Sabina Nielsen (Copenhagen Business School), 2010: The Contribution of Women on boards of Directors. Results as follows:
• High female participation gives more priority to strategic control/accountability
• More emphasis on the self-development of the board as a team
• Produces instructions for good governance
• More systematic competence building
• Less conflicts and more efficiency

We should also keep in mind that building an image and reputation in the marketplace is of utmost importance for any business. The issue of having gender equality in board rooms, seems to be crucial to recruit and retain the best people.

Strategic work in boardrooms needs also to mirror the diversity outside; the complex markets and different demands. Half of the consumers are women, with their own purse.

Let me add the obvious before concluding that. Womens participation in the workplace or in politics would not have been possible without comprehensive family and parental provisions.

In Norway we have

• Paid Parental leave: 56 weeks with 80% refunding of your salary (either parent), or 46 weeks with 100% refunding, up to a certain level. I know you have a better scheme for this.
• Most important and controversial at the time: 2009 enlarged 10 weeks mandatory for the fathers, appr. 90% enjoy this non-transferable quota. Unless the fathers take this leave the family will lose the refunding of his salary.
• 26,7% of the fathers share more of the whole period with the mothers; which is a most wanted trend (2008).

Photos 3 - Supported by these guys.

Gender equality doesn't come easy.

We still have unsolved challenges on gender equality in Norway. A major challenge is the pay gap between women and men - the pay per hour for work of equal value. Photo: March 8 - 2010.
We have a gender segmented labour market. Even though 80% of women are working, women continue to make the soft choices and 40% work part-time esp. in the health-, care-, and retail sectors.

An Equal Pay Commission in 2008 analyzed wages in private, state and municipal sectors. The Commission established the fact we all know: Professions where women traditionally are in majority, is lower prized in the labor market. One of the important findings was that the wage development for women becoming mothers comes to a halt, and tend to follow the person ever since, as the men becoming fathers tend to have higher wages.

Photo

A White Paper on equal pay submitted to Parliament earlier this year is a tool to keep the pressure on the social partners in the collective annual bargaining on wages. Furthermore the Ombudsman's office will have stronger measures in the Gender Equality Law to handle complaints of pay discrimination.

Furthermore we still need better sharing between mother and father for taking care of children and home responsibilities. Many women still speak of "the husbands helping out in the house and with the children". Again, exclusion of the men, or men as mere "assistants" in the house. As if the house work is not a shared responsibility, regardless of gender. Women must let go, too.

Last week the Norwegian Minister for Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Audun Lysbakken presented the Governments action plan "Gender Equality 2014" This plan involves 86 specific actions for developing gender equality facing the new challenges in society and thereby contribute to increased justice, democracy and division of power. To ensure that the goals are met, indicators for success are listed in each area.

It is also in this spirit that the Norway and EEA Grants - a fund of 1,79 bill EUR sponsored by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein -- include opportunities for promoting gender equality in Estonia and 14 other beneficiary countries.

In Estonia 2 mill EUR is allocated for gender equality mainstreaming and another 2 million for efforts against domestic and gender based violence. These two programmes will jointly be implemented by the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs. In addition there will be a 2,3 million fund for Non-governmental organisations and the Open Estonia Foundation is the candidate for the fund manager.

At the moment all these three programmes are yet developed - it is not yet determined what kind of activities will be supported. We hope that the programmes will be finalized and approved by March-April 2012. So the funds will open sometimes next year.

So to conculude let me say:
The battle for gender equality in Norway is still live.
We still need to focus on, repeat and highlight that equal representation of women and men combined with modern family policy are crucial to the development of a modern society.

And more - it is a win-win situation for both men and women. We want to secure both women's and men's possibilities to work and to care for children and family - not to be forced to choose one or the other.

Talent is evenly divided among women and men - for child-caring as well as for business. Gender economy is smart economy.

Thank you for the attention.

Tunne Kelam MEP: On the massacre of Copts in Egypt

2011-10-12

Christian Copts were routinely discriminated already under the Mubarak regime, with their churches and homes attacked and burnt by Muslim extremists. Last Sunday, October 9, dozens of Copts were killed as more than 100,000 of them, supported by groups of Moslem co-citizens, marched peacefully through the streets of Cairo, protesting against new attacks which targeted their churches.

Appalling is the fact that this happened under the new interim Government, only a month before elections which are hoped will be free and fair. Last Sunday's massacre is bound to cast serious doubts on the democratic perspectives that the Egyptian revolution has generated.

The Copts are not strangers in Egypt. On the contrary, they embody a significant minority of ca 10% of the population, representing the oldest inhabitants and traditions of this ancient country.

Earlier this year, the Copts participated actively and in the spirit of solidarity together with other Egyptian co-citizens in massive protest actions that put an end to the previous authoritarian regime. Egyptian revolution is owned by all its citizens, including Copts.

The apparent cooperation between Egyptian military and Muslim extremists which resulted in shooting at peaceful demonstrators and crushing them under armoured vehicles is revealing some ominous features of the new regime.

The European External Action Service has to address these events with utmost seriousness. It is the role of the European Union to stress that a basic criterion for a truly free society is the establishment of a secular democracy that will not prefer any religion and will guarantee equal opportunities for all, including the right freely to change one's religion. So far this has not been the case in any Islam-dominated country, including countries which have liberated themselves from authoritarian regimes.

We should clearly indicate that founding the new constitutions of the revolutionary Arab countries on Sharia law is bound to legalize continuous discrimination and persecution of minorities.
The EU should not close its eyes before these developments, if it hopes to see democracy and human rights finally established there. This will not happen if the constitutional start of the new regimes will be fundamentally tilted in favour of one dominating religion.

Speech by Tunne Kelam at the plenary session of the European Parliament on 12 October 2011

Laar discussed cyber protection with the Senate’s leader of homeland security

2011-08-02

The Minister of Defence Mart Laar met Joe Lieberman, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs yesterday in Washington, talking mostly on cyber defence and the Cyber Defence League established in Estonia.

Senator Lieberman said upon his meeting with the Minister of Defence Laar that Estonia is a role model for other countries for both its democratic and economic reforms and its activity in building and defending an e-state.

The Senator was interested in Estonian experience in cyber defence; the activity of the Cyber Defence League which is a good example of cooperation between the Defence Forces and civil structures was also discussed in greater length at the meeting.

"The United States is also actively involved in cyber defence, but it has noticed Estonia's efficiency and commitment in this area," Minister of Defence Laar said.

The Minister of Defence who is currently visiting the United States, will continue his meetings with the representatives of the U.S. brain trusts and the leading politicians. There have been discussions on the U.S.-Estonian bilateral relations and defence cooperation, also on the situation in Russia and cyber defence.

"Cooperation with the United States is already very close, but I believe it can be improved even further. It is good to see that in some areas, we a no longer a receiver, but already also a giver. All Congressmen I have met with have known Estonia well for our contribution in Afghanistan; our soldiers are praised and acknowledged," Laar said.

He also stated that Estonia is acknowledged for its decisive actions to recover from the economic crisis through painful, but necessary cuts, and raising the defence expenditure to two per cent of the gross domestic product.

"Compared with the U.S. defence budget, these amounts are of course small, but the way Estonia keeps to its promises and principles is impressive even for America," Laar said.

Source: Ministry of Defence

Laar: Tartu Uprising was a beam of light between two occupations

2011-07-11

Today, in Tartu, Minister of Defence Mart Laar unveiled a memorial plaque on the wall of the main building of the Estonian National Defence College, commemorating members of the National Defence League who, on 10 July 1941, occupied the building on Riia hill - at that time the building of the National Defence League - thus starting the liberation of Tartu from Soviet occupation forces.

At the unveiling of the memorial plaque, Minister of Defence Laar said that the Tartu Uprising was like a beam of light between two totalitarian occupations. "In the summer of 1941, the battle in Tartu was fought solely for the freedom of Estonia. We pay our respects to everybody - partisans, fire fighters as well as schoolboys - who made the ultimate sacrifice - their lives - in this battle."

The memorial plaque was dedicated by Lt. Col. Taavi Laanepere, Chief of Chaplains of the Estonian Defence Forces; in addition, former political prisoner and freedom fighter Enn Tarto gave a speech.

This summer marks 70 years from the Summer War of 1941, when members of the National Defence League and Forest Brothers brought down the Soviet occupation power and re established the pre-war Estonian power just before the arrival of the advancing German forces. However, the Estonians' hope of re-establishing their independent state was not fulfilled and by autumn, the Soviet occupation was replaced by a new occupation, the German one, all over Estonia.

Source: Ministry of Defence

Laar: Estonia will stand up to any attack

2011-07-04

Minister of Defence Mart Laar acknowledged the bravery of the people who took part in the Liivamäe battle, celebrating its 70th anniversary, today, in Kilingi-Nõmme, Pärnu County.

He emphasized that the Forest Brothers, who fought for Estonian freedom in 1941, paid a heavy price in the desperate battle against the Soviet Destroyer Battalion. "This fight was not for nothing, because thanks to this we can stand here today as a free people in a free Estonia," Laar said.

According to the Minister of Defence, it was fatefully important that the Estonian people chose to fight, not to surrender silently. "Now we know that there is no freedom without a fight, and Estonia will continue to confront any attack today, because that is the price of our freedom," Laar confirmed.

The Minister of Defence also thanked Juta Zahharova and Leonida Rebas, who treated the wounds of both the Forest Brothers and the members of the Destroyer Battalion at the battle that took place 70 years ago, and were also present today.

On 3 July 1941, the Kilingi-Nõmme and Mõisaküla Members of the Defence Forces overthrew the Soviet power in both of these towns. A day later, the Soviet occupation authorities sent the Pärnu unit of the Destroyer Battalion to restore the former situation. In the Liivamäe battle, which took place in the afternoon of 4 July, one kilometer from Kilingi-Nõmme, the members of the Defence Forces defeated the Destroyer Battalion unit, killing 68 men.

Source: Ministry of Defence

Interview with Mart Laar, Estonia's Minister of Defence

2011-07-04

Estonia's attitude towards Moscow's increase in defence spending and its so-called ‘energy securitisation' is to focus on a dual approach to defence, according to Mart Laar, Estonia's Minister of Defence.

"Estonia is a small, liberal-democratic country in the EU and NATO with a challenging neighbour. Our situation and location leads us to adopt a two-pronged approach to defence," Laar told Jane's.
"We believe firmly in collective defence and pooled security, but also recognise that every country must itself take responsibility for the core of self-defence."

"Two recent events have framed our strategic thinking. The 2008 Russia-Georgia war demonstrated that we have not reached the end of [the] history [of conflicts] in Europe regarding territorial disputes and the use of force to settle political differences has not disappeared from our continent. When most European countries are moving toward fully professional militaries, these events confirmed our choice to maintain and expand a system of broad-based conscription and reserve duty," he said.

Following a cyber attack in 2007, which saw websites belonging to governmental departments, internet providers and banks under siege
from distributed denial of service attacks, Estonia has positioned itself at the forefront of cyber defence development.

"The 2007 cyber attacks against Estonia taught us that a multifaceted threat requires a multifaceted response. Soldiers alone can't protect us. Estonia is implementing a whole-of-country approach to national defence," Laar said. "We co-ordinate government cyber defence through a cabinet-level commission. Cyber defence and security depend on the involvement of every user.

"We recently created a cyber unit within our all-volunteer national guard called the Defence League. Cyber experts from all walks of life volunteer their time to train together and teach each other, which enables a co-ordinated, integrated response to even large-scale cyber attacks and enhances our overall defence readiness," said Laar.

"Estonia's small size, resulting flexibility and innovative technical approach make it a perfect testbed for new cyber solutions, which we are able also to export. One technology company [Cybernetica AS] has recently secured a research contract with US DARPA [DefenseAdvanced Research ProjectsAgency] to develop a system that aggregates confidential defence information.
"We see cyber defence as an area in which Estonia can make an outsize contribution to NATO and Europe's security. We host both NATO's
collaborative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the EU's new IT Agency," Laar explained.

When asked about Estonia's role within NATO, Laar said: "Estonia is one of the biggest per capita contributors in Afghanistan. Our contingent serves, without caveats, alongside UK forces in Helmand province. The valuation we have received from our allies regarding our
contingent has been consistently high.

"We are very close to NATO's guidelines for defence expenditure [2 per cent of gross domestic product] and will reach this benchmark in 2012, despite a difficult recession. We believe that all allies should move towards this objective."

Although reticent to discuss current procurement needs, Laar said: "This money needs to be well spent. Estonia is a strong proponent of ‘smart defence' - pooling resources and avoiding duplication. Co-operation is particularly important for small countries that cannot independently develop the full range of capabilities. "The best example is NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission. It would be disproportionate for Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania to develop their own jet fighter capability.

At the same time there is no lack of fighter aircraft within the alliance. Consequently, our firm belief is that with such small budgets, development of our own air capability just seems unreasonable," said Laar. "The Baltic States invest considerably in respective HNS [host nation support] infrastructure. We have nearly completed the renovation of Ämari military airfield, which should provide additional support for future allied air policing. We defray air policing costs and are at the same time better able to contribute to the alliance's ‘force pool'- in other niches."

Estonia was invited in January 2011 to join the Nordic Defence Cooperation Organisation comprising Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and is involved in the EU Nordic-Baltic battlegroup and the NATO Response Force.

"Smart solutions are visible in other fields of defence co-operation. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have developed a number of joint programmes. Our flagship is the Baltic Defence College, where we educate, in English, staff officers and civil servants from 16 nations," Laar said.

"Estonia is looking for further synergies in Baltic and Nordic defence co-operation. We are the best-integrated country in northern Europe - the only one that is a member of the EU, NATO and the Euro zone - so we see ourselves as drivers towards further integration. The small liberal democracies around the Baltic Sea share a great deal in common: values, history, security concerns about the environment and cyberspace and a similar assessment of conventional risks in our neighbourhood.

"We are all also accustomed to punching above our weight and I am confident the northern European countries will pioneer forms of co-operation and burden sharing that will set an example for NATO and the EU," Laar concluded.

Bruce Jones JDW Correspondent, London

Estonian Contact Centre Based on Skype Technology was Opened in Rome

2011-06-30

The Minister of Agriculture of Estonia Helir-Valdor Seeder opened the Estonian Contact Centre at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Seeder said to the representatives of different countries who participated in the opening that this centre is Estonia's additional contribution to global communication process. "Communication possibilities, which are free of charge make the world smaller, bring different nations and cultures closer to each other and give a better opportunities for the representatives of countries with smaller income to communicate with the world," said Seeder.

The centre has two booths, which have been equipped with videophones using Skype technology and enabling free video calls all over the planet. The ribbon with Estonian national motifs was cut by Minister Seeder and the Director General of FAO Jacques Diouf. Diouf acknowledged Estonia's success in the usage of different IT solutions and assured that Skype is used daily by many FAO employees.

The Estonian Contact Centre was established as a joint project between Estonia and the FAO, videophones were given by Skype. Further maintenance costs will be covered by the FAO.

During his visit to Rome, Minister Seeder also met with the Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Yukiko Omura. Estonia is one of the few members of the OECD, which does not belong to the IFAD. Membership in the IFAD, which has more than 150 member countries, would give Estonia better possibilities for sharing our experience in the transition to market economy with countries, where the transition is still ongoing.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture

At the Cyber Security Conference, Minister of Defence Mart Laar warned against a possible large-scale attack

2011-06-14

At the conference on European Cyber Security Policy, Minister of Defence Mart Laar warned against the possibility of a large-scale cyber attack, and called upon Member States to engage in serious cooperation in order to prevent such an attack.

The Minister of Defence emphasised Estonia's readiness to contribute to European cyber security, and called upon partner states to take the threats coming from the Internet as seriously as military deterrence. "If we take the possible damage caused by bombs and bullets seriously, then we should take just as seriously the hazards moving through the Internet, because through the Internet, the economy, energy security and intellectual property of countries may suffer direct harm," the Minister said.

The current approach of the European Union to cyber threats must be reconsidered. Since in the fight against cyber threats, an entity like the European Union is only as strong as is its weakest link", added Mr Laar.
The Minister of Defence gave the opening keynote address at the conference, taking place today, in Brussels, titled "Shared Threats - Shared Solutions: Towards a European Cyber Policy", the objective of which is to increase awareness of cyber threats in the structures of the European Union.

Full text of minister's speech: http://www.kmin.ee/et/ministri-koned

Source: Ministry of Ddefence

Center-right coalition wins election on 6 March parliamentary election

2011-03-07

Estonia's governing centre-right coalition has won the parliamentary election yesterday, 6 March 2011 and is in a position to serve a second term.

The result will give the two governing parties 56 seats in the 101-seat Riigikogu.

The division of seats in the new parliament will be as follows:

Reform Party: 33 seats (+2) - 28,6%
Centre Party: 26 seats (-3) - 23,3%
IRL: 23 seats (+4) - 20,5%
Social Democrats: 19 seats (+9) - 17,1%

The Greens with 3,8% and People's Union with 2,1% did not reach the 5% threshold.

EPP Group congratulates Mart Laar on the election success. Joseph Daul MEP

2011-03-07

"I warmly congratulate Mart Laar, Chairman of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union, a former Prime Minister of Estonia, on the great success of the Estonian Parliamentary elections on 6 March 2011," said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

Pro Patria and Res Publica Union received 20.5% of the votes and 23 seats in the 101-member Estonian Parliament, gaining 4 more seats compared to the last parliamentary elections.

"After regaining its independence, Estonia has developed into a role model for several European countries. Pro Patria and Res Publica Union and its Chairman Mart Laar have played a significant role in this process", said Joseph Daul.

"Estonia was the first of the Baltic countries to adopt the Euro on 1 January 2011 - that was an act of confidence. Estonia's rigorous reforms, budgetary balance and small debts during the recent economic crisis show an excellent example for the rest of Europe."

"The success of the centre-right coalition shows that Estonian people approved the budgetary balance policy that led to the successful adoption of the Euro", Joseph Daul said.

"I hope that Pro Patria and Res Publica Union's success will give an additional boost to Estonia's development and will strengthen Estonia's influence in Europe," Chairman Daul concluded.

The EPP Group is by far the largest and most influential political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.

Estonian elections: centre-right coalition wins absolute majority; EPP congratulates IRL for impressive gains

2011-03-07

Brussels, 7 March 2011

The President of the European People's Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, congratulated today Estonia's EPP member-party IRL and its leader Mart Laar for winning 20.5% of the vote and increasing its seats from 19 to 23. The Reform/IRL centre-right coalition won a total of 56 seats (out of 101):

"I warmly congratulate my good friend Mart Laar and the IRL for the impressive gains in yesterday's elections, which have given the centre-right coalition a clear majority in the Riigikogu. Estonians have given a strong endorsement to the government's successful polices, including Estonia's membership in the Eurozone," the EPP President underlined.

"I look forward to personally congratulating Mart Laar at the upcoming EPP Summit of 24 March in Brussels," Martens added.

The EPP is the largest and most influential European-level political party of the centre-right, which currently includes 73 member-parties from 39 countries, the Presidents of the Commission, Council, and Parliament, 15 EU and 6 non-EU heads of state and government, 13 members of the European Commission and the largest Group in the European Parliament.

EPP leaders in Helsinki agree to bring forward a competitiveness pact; the EPP on the side of the people in North Africa

2011-03-05

At a special Summit of leaders of the European People's Party (EPP), which took place last night in Helsinki Finland (click here for photos) in preparation of the March 11 Eurozone meeting in Brussels, a document was adopted which calls for the agreement of a comprehensive strategy that safeguards financial stability, economic growth and improved employment in Europe. In the 5-point document (see attachment), the leaders also agreed to bring forward a competitiveness pact:

"In the 5-point document that we adopted last night, we underline the importance of formulating a competitiveness pact which will bolster economic growth in Europe. With the right structural reforms and with fiscal consolidation, we can improve our competitiveness and create new jobs," underlined Wilfried MARTENS, President of the EPP.

"I also hope that the Socialist Prime Ministers in the EU will be willing to consider our proposals, since they opted not to endorse (by their absence, minus the host) the populist positions announced at the meeting of second-tier Socialist politicians in Athens yesterday," Martens added.

The EPP leaders also expressed their commitment to support and reinforce the democracy movements in North Africa and the Middle East:

"We have made it very clear that the EPP is one the side of the people in these countries. We will do everything in our power to promote freedom and democracy, and Libya is now a priority in this process," the EPP President underlined.

Photo: Mauri Ratilainen / Compic

The EPP leaders also offered their support and best wishes to Mart LAAR and his IRL party for the upcoming March 6 elections in Estonia:

"Mart Laar is highly regarded in the EPP and we hope that he will achieve a positive result in tomorrow's elections," said Martens.

Finally, the EPP leaders offered their support and best wishes for the Finnish elections in April to Jyrki KATAINEN - Kokoomus leader, Deputy Prime Minister of Finland, and Vice President of the European People's Party (EPP) - who hosted the EPP Summit in Helsinki:

"We are very pleased that Jyrki Katainen - the chairman of the EPP EcoFin Ministers and EPP VP - took the initiative to host the EPP Summit. The success of yesterday's event proves that Jyrki Katainen and Finland have a central role in Europe's decision-making process. Needless to say, Katainen's electoral success next month will enhance significantly Finland's role on the European stage," the EPP President stated.

The EPP Summit in Helsinki featured European Commission President José Manuel BARROSO, European Council President Herman VAN ROMPUY, European Parliament President Jerzy BUZEK, EU Council President & Prime Minister Viktor ORBÁN (Hungary), Chancellor Angela MERKEL (Germany), President Traian BĂSESCU (Romania), PM Silvio BERLUSCONI (Italy), PM Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (Latvia), PM Lawrence GONZI (Malta), PM Andrius KUBILIUS (Lithuania) and PM Yves LETERME (Belgium).

Ireland's Taoiseach-elect & EPP Vice President Enda KENNY also attended.

The Party Summit also featured Vice Chancellor Josef PRÖLL (Austria), Deputy Prime Minister Karel SCHWARZENBERG (Czech Republic), IRL President Mart LAAR (Estonia), Slovenian Democratic Party President Janez JANŠA (Slovenia) and Nea Demokratia President Antonis SAMARAS (Greece).

Note to editors:

The EPP is the largest and most influential European-level political party of the centre right, which currently includes 75 member-parties from 39 countries, the Presidents of the Commission, Council, and Parliament, 15 EU and 6 non-EU heads of state and government, 13 members of the European Commission and the largest Group in the European Parliament.

Defence Minister Aaviksoo met Finnish colleague

2010-12-05

Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo participated yesterday with his Finnish colleague Jyri Häkämies in a ceremony dedicated for the Estonian veterans who fought in the Finnish Armed Forces. Also the ministers discussed matters regarding defence cooperation between the two countries.

Aaviksoo and Häkämies participated in a ceremony in the National Library of Estonia held in the honour of the "Finnish boys". Total of 3,400 Estonian soldiers fought in the Finnish armed forces during World War II.

At a meeting after the ceremony Aaviksoo and Häkämies discussed matters regarding the new strategic concept of NATO, the defence cooperation between Estonia and Finland and the operation in Afghanistan.

"Estonians and Finns have fought with arms for each other's freedom. The help of Finland has been invaluable in building our present-day defence capability and our defence cooperation sets an example for tightening the Nordic-Baltic cooperation," said Aaviksoo after the meeting.

Source: Ministry of Defence

Member States agreed in principle to Estonian and French joint proposal concerning the seat of the IT-agency

2010-12-02

Today, on 2nd of December EU Ministers of Interior during the Justice and Home Affairs Council endorsed the joint Franco-Estonian proposal concerning the seat of the agency of operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice, proposed by Mr. Marko Pomerants, Minister of Interior of Estonia and Mr. Brice Hortefeux, Minister of Interior of France.

According to Estonian Minister of Interior Mr. Pomerants, this political agreement is the most important step on the way of creating the headquarters of IT-agency in Tallinn. "The formal decision will be made on later stage, but today´s exchange of views showed that the Council is happy with the joint proposal by Estonia and France," said Mr Pomerants. Our successful joint proposal is the result of a good cooperation between these two countries, added Pomerants.

The Regulation on the agency of operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice has to be approved together with the European Parliament. This will hopefully take place in the beginning of 2011.

According to Estonian and French joint proposal, the seat of the new Agency would be in Tallinn, but the development and operation of the current and future systems will be carried out in Strasbourg, so as to optimize technical synergies with existing systems and benefit from investments done so far at the site in Strasbourg.

The joint solution is also in line with the decision in principle taken by the European Council in 2003 that the new EU agencies shall be located in the New Member States.

Source: Estonian Ministry of the Interior

Aaviksoo: Estonian cyberdefence is held in high regard in US

2010-12-02

While visiting the US Cyber Command yesterday Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo stated that Estonia can contribute a lot more to the security of NATO and its allies in the field of cyber security than its size suggests.

In Ft. George Meade Aaviksoo met with the Commander of US Cyber Command General Keith Alexander and was given an overview of the cyber defence organization in the US.

According to Aaviksoo the importance of cyber security and its meaning to the defence capabilities of USA is ever present. "The messages of President Obama's cyber security coordinator Howard Schmidt and General Alexander of the newly created Cyber Command are extremely clear - cyber threats are the most dangerous and likely threats to the US and its allies over the next years," stated 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 confident that especially in the field of cyber security lies Estonia's strongest contribution, despite our small size, in providing security for NATO and its allies," added Aaviksoo.

Defence minister Aaviksoo also met with Howard McKeon, the incoming Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee of Armed Services. During the meeting, Aaviksoo presented McKeon with an overview of the current Estonian and European vision on security. Also, the importance of each NATO member allocating 2% of the GDP to defence funding was once again stressed and Member of the House McKeon agreed that the permanent military presence of the US in Europe must continue in its current form.

The Minister also met with the White House cyber security coordinator Howard Schmidt.

On Tuesday Aaviksoo visited the NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, where he met with General Stephane Abrial. During the meeting they discussed the consequences of the Lisbon summit, the roles of ACT in the new NATO military structure and latest developments in the field of cyber security.

Today Aaviksoo will take part in a briefing at the think tank Atlantic Council, where the most important developments of the US foreign policy will be discussed. Also, the Minister of Defence will pay tribute today Memorial for the Victims of Communism in Washington.

On Friday Aaviksoo is meeting with his US counterpart Robert Gates in the Pentagon. The planned topics of discussion will be the Lisbon summit, new strategic concept of NATO, the operation in Afghanistan and the cyber security cooperation between Estonia and the US.

Aaviksoo is accompanied on his visit by Sven Sakkov, Undersecretary for Defence Policy and Colonel Ilmar Tamm, Director of NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. The Minister of Defence will return to Estonia on Saturday.

Source: Ministry of Defence

Ministers of Agriculture are introducing their reform positions in Brussels

2010-11-29

Estonia stresses at today's EU Ministers of Agriculture meeting the need to harmonize Union support rates and change the criteria of less favoured areas.

The European Commission proposal for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is discussed for the first time at today's meeting. All ministers have a possibility to give their first comments on the reform proposals.

The Minister of Agriculture of Estonia Helir-Valdor Seeder says that the Commission's proposal reflects to a certain extent the Estonian vision on how to continue with the CAP. "Support rates need to be harmonised in the EU and the Commission has realised that," said Seeder. "In case the current basis for calculating support is continued to be used, we cannot talk about common competition conditions."

According to Seeder, changing the criteria of the so-called less favoured areas is also important in the European Union, so that allocated support would really serve their goal.

Yesterday, Seeder also had a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos, who has so far also supported the idea of support harmonisation. This would mean increased support rates for the Estonian farmers after 2013.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture

Voronin - the most equal man in Moldova

2010-11-26

Communism for the people, but not for me

In the upcoming Moldovan parliamentary elections this Sunday, the Communist Party of Moldova (PCRM) is hoping to woo voters with typical communist ideas of social equality and fairness. As Moldova is Europe's poorest country with one of its highest income inequalities, these slogans are obviously popular. Yet looking at the leader of the Communist Party and his wealth, one cannot but conclude that Moldovan communism is simply deceiving voters with hypocritical populism.

Take Vladimir Voronin, the head of the party and President from 2001 until 2009. Having no wealth to speak of when he assumed office, he is now one of the richest people in the country. During his term in office, he wasted no time misappropriating state property and distributing spoils of office to his allies. In an obvious case of nepotism and corruption, he used his son Oleg Voronin to acquire over 2 hectares of land in the suburb of Chisinau for a price ten times lower than the market value. The area is now home to dozens of luxurious residences, belonging to the members of Voronin's family. If that was not enough, in 2008 he leased a whopping 700 hectares of forest in Tiganca for 50 years, where he erected the so-called Voronin's Manor. The extent of Voronin's wealth became public when his son's bank statements leaked into press in 2009, revealing that he had spent $8 million in 16 months during his trips abroad.

Apart from being present in almost all spheres of Moldova's economy, the Voronin Family has invested in property in various EU countries. It has recently emerged that after years of staying in fancy spa resorts in Karlovy Vary, Vladimir Voronin has finally bought a proper home in his favourite holiday spot. Most Moldovans will never see it, of course, due to lack of adequate flight connections in the impoverished country. Voronin, however, does not need to sleep on an airport bench - he can use his private Learjet 35 to take him there.

It seems, therefore, that for Moldovan Communists being elected is not only a political opportunity to represent the people. It may well be the easiest means to enrichment as well.

Voronin's datscha in a nature reserve

Based on Moldovan sources, abstract by Tiit Matsulevitsh

Ministers of the Interior of Estonia and Finland met in Tallinn to discuss cooperation

2010-11-25

On Wednesday, 24 November, Minister of the Interior of Estonia, Marko Pomerants, and Minister of the Interior of Finland, Anne Holmlund, met in Tallinn to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the area of internal security as well as common objectives in developing the area.

At the meeting, the ministers focussed more closely on border guard cooperation on sea and the police cooperation action plan, to facilitate further activities at the level of the relevant institutions.
In the framework of police cooperation, the ministers set the aim on the development of strategic police cooperation and decided to analyse the impacts of visa-freedom between the European Union and Russia on Estonia and Finland.

The ministers also discussed the establishment of the EU IT Agency and Estonia's possible contribution in participating in that process.

According to the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants, the meeting confirmed the common understanding of Estonia and Finland in ensuring internal security and of mutual goodwill.
"Compared to the situation a couple of decades ago, Estonian internal security has by now reached a level that allows us to make plans as equal partners and provide mutual support," said Pomerants.

The Ministers of the Interior also acknowledged that the need to reinstate the position of Estonian police communication officer in Finland is still topical and both countries are interested in reinstating the position. Pomerants stated that the position of a police communication officer will be restored as soon as the budgetary funds allow. "There does not seem to be a possibility to this in the coming year, but we shall definitely allocate the necessary expenses when preparing the budget for 2012," he added.

The Ministers of the Interior of both countries agreed that cooperation so far has been successful and active. Anne Holmlund, Minister of the Interior of Finland, gave recognition to the contribution made by the Estonian Ministry of the Interior and internal security agencies, and added that from the viewpoint of the internal security of both countries it is important to further increase close cooperation in various aspects of the area.

During the visit, the Minister of the Interior of Finland also visited the Riigikogu and the ICT Demo Centre.

Source: Estonian Ministry of the Interior

Estonian lawmakers adopt private debt restructuring law

2010-11-17

Estonia's parliament adopted a bill allowing courts to reduce liabilities of thousands of mortgage borrowers who have overdue debt payments, writes Bloomberg.

Lawmakers voted 87-1, with no abstentions, to give judges the right to reduce all debtors' liabilities that exceed the market value of the collateral. Courts may need to handle as many as 1,500 cases a year of private debt restructuring, Ken- Marti Vaher, a co-author of the bill, told lawmakers yesterday.

Estonia should seek the European Central Bank's opinion before approving the bill, as European Union rules require Estonia to consult with the ECB on any legislation in its competency, the country's central bank said last month.

"Adoption of this bill won't harm the reliability of the financial institutions and won't make lending more expensive, considering that a similar option to restructure debts is legalized in most European Union members, including the Nordic countries, whose big banks are dominant here," Vaher said yesterday.

Estonia's lenders, led by Stockholm-based Swedbank AB and SEB AB, and the employers' lobby have opposed the bill, saying it will increase borrowing costs, reduce lending and overload the courts, while no estimates have been published before on the scope of possible cases.

The bill, mainly directed at those who are behind on mortgage payments, will come into force on April 5 and also apply to existing debts. It would apply only to borrowers deemed to have temporary solvency problems, helping them to avoid a bankruptcy, Vaher said yesterday.

"The homes put up for a collateral will be much better protected, with banks having much less incentive to quickly put those up for sale," Vaher said today.

The court can overrule opposition from creditors, if it sees the restructuring helping creditors to recover more debts than would be possible through bankruptcy proceeding, he said.

About 5 percent of 158,000 mortgage borrowers were behind on their payments at the end of August, Hannes Rumm, a lawmaker with the opposition Social Democrats, said in parliament today.

The stock of overdue mortgages was 9.3 billion krooni ($800 million) at the end of September, or 8.2 percent of all loans to private individuals, down from a record 10.1 billion krooni in February, according to central bank data.

Source: Baltic Business News

Aaviksoo: exchanging experience is the key in averting cyber attacks

2010-11-04

Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo opened today in Westminster conference centre in London the high-level round table Cityforum on cyber security, aiming to give key personnel of public and private organisations an overview on global trends on cyber defence.

The round table focused on cyber risk management in a changed security environment and on sharing best global practices and solutions.

In his opening speech, Defence Minister Aaviksoo introduced Estonia's experience on averting cyber attacks in Spring 2007. „Two weeks after becoming the Defence Minister I had a personal experience working in my office in the Ministry of Defence when, in addition to a political provocation, the national security of Estonia was jeopardised by cyber attacks," explained Aaviksoo.

According to Aaviksoo, Estonia is widely using the newest technology: 98% of Estonia's bank transactions take place in the internet, the medical system uses digital databases and digital prescriptions, e-elections are held. „But due to wide use of electronical means, we are also vulnerable. However, the main risk in cyber battles is not technological, but a matter of strategic management. It is a question of how well we are prepared to react to attacks and how well the subsequent decision making processes are set in motion," said the Defence Minister.

According to Aaviksoo, due to prior lessons there is now a Cyber Defence League formed of private and public sector's top IT specialists and the league is engaged in prevention work, training and also in informing people of cyber threats. „The aim of the Cyber Defence League is to always be ready and to ensure that information reaches every computer user. NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence, located in Tallinn, deals with external and security cooperation. Namely international cooperation and exchanging information and experiences with partners is the key in averting cyber threats in a global information space," said Defence Minister Aaviksoo.

Defence Minister also gave a speech on cyber defence to the students of Royal College of Defence Studies in London this afternoon.

Tomorrow morning Defence Minister Aaviksoo meets with his colleague Liam Fox and visits the Headly Court Rehabilitation Centre where also members of the Defence Forces of Estonia, wounded on missions, are treated.

Source: Ministry of Defence

Estonian representative elected Vice-President of European seniors

2010-11-04

Today the Chairman of the Seniors Association of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union, Mrs. Ann Räämet, was elected Vice-President of the European Senior Citizens Union (ESCU). Dr. Bernhard Worms from Germany was re-elected as President.

European Senior Citizens Union (ESCU) is the biggest seniors' organization in Europe, uniting 820 000 members from 24 countries and 37 political parties.

In her speech Ann Räämet focused on voluntary activities in Estonia, as well as on possible measures, which could be used to develop voluntary activities among seniors.

"Our main goal is, that a retired person should not be left home alone, but be engaged in voluntary activities, or should have a chance to have a part-time job," said Ann Räämet. "Also retired people should feel that they are needed in the society."

The VII Congress of ESCU takes place from 2 - 4 November in Bad Honnef, Germany.

Estonian MEP warns that Russia's clout is increasing

2010-10-28

European People's Party faction representative Tunne Kelam has gone on record as saying that Russia's power to sow and exploit divisions between EU states and in transatlantic relations has never been greater.

The EU Parliament member from the center-right party said on October 27 that insufficient coordination of transatlantic cooperation was to blame, and also cited what he said were recent initiatives by EU members to court Russia, such as a meeting of French, German and Russian leaders in Deauville.
"Any sort of purposeful partnership can be based only on trust and reciprocity," said Kelam.

Kelam asked EU High Representatve for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton whether Russia should not first fulfill its obligations to the EU such as the proper implementation of the conditions of the ceasefire in Georgia before the EU starts exploring new forms of partnership.

Kelam also said that many members of European Parliament were "deeply concerned" about the Khodorkovsky trial, which he called a "grotesque" miscarriage of justice.

Ashton emphasized the importance of transatlantic cooperation and the need for Russia to comply with its obligations and said her priority was that human rights-related issues not be sidetracked.

Source: Estonian Public Broadcasting News

Circassians standing up for their rights and cultural identity deserve EU support

2010-10-06

Tunne Kelam
Member of the European Parliament

The appeal by the leaders of the Circassian Diaspora to the European Parliament deserves attention and support.

Circassians have been subjected to one of the most severe persecutions among the ethnic Caucasian nations. Since the 18th century, when the authorities of the Russian empire started massive ethnic cleansings and deportations of the native population, more than 1.5 million Circassians are estimated to have been killed. The continuation of Russian colonial policies has had a dramatic impact on today's Circassians. Sadly, their situation has not eased in the 21st century.

While Moscow is pursuing its preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics, it is only fair to take into account that Sochi and its surroundings are situated on the ancient territories of the Circassians. The playgrounds of the 2014 Olympics are located in the long-time post-Soviet conflict areas - conflicts for which the Russian Government has to share responsibility. These conflicts are still unresolved as demonstrated by the August 2008 Russian military invasion of Georgia as well as Russia's official support for the secession of two separatist entities from Georgia. Potential conflicts pose a real threat to the security and safety of Olympic athletes.

The indiscriminate way Russian authorities have carried out the preparations for the Winter Olympics shows that this is not merely a problem for one single local nation. It is by necessity a political, social, humanitarian and ecological problem concerning the whole of Europe, especially if the European nations decide to take part in the Games.

First, it is clear that in the course of preparations for the Olympics, the human rights situation in the region has dramatically worsened.

Second, blatantly ignoring environmental standards has damaged the ecological balance and caused severe deterioration of the environmental situation with probably irreversible consequences for the local people.

Third, according to different testimonies and observations, abuses by the political and administrative powers and corruption in the region have reached an unbearable level.

All the listed issues are in serious conflict with the noble ideals of the Olympics. Clearly, the Sochi Winter Olympics cannot be considered a success at the cost of systematic repression of the civil rights and cultural identity of a small native nation, or at the cost of ignoring environmental damage which, in all likelihood, nobody will rectify after the Olympic flag has been lowered. This is the responsibility the organizers must pay for conducting the Sochi Olympics first and foremost to boost the political prestige of Moscow.

The abnormal and tragic situation of the Circassians and other Caucasian native peoples also demands a prompt response from the EU member states based on common European values. TheRussian Federation is a strategic partner to the EU; Russia has joined several international conventions and should therefore live up to the commitments and standards stemming from those agreements. If numerous violations of the rights of citizens, native nations and environment are confirmed, the EU should react robustly to the situation. A boycott of the Sochi Olympics by Western nations cannot be ruled out. Dispatching an EU fact-finding mission composed of independent observers and experts to the region is one of the necessary first steps to acquire objective information about the Circassian situation as well as to assess the risks and costs of the Olympics in question.

The readiness of the Circassians to engage in political dialogue is encouraging. Such an attitude deserves respect. The organisations speaking for the rights of the Circassian people exclude any kind of extremism in their actions and emphasize the secular and just nature of the Circassian movement. The EU cannot leave Circassians alone in their struggle to survive. Their civil and cultural rights and above all, the need to guarantee their identity and language in the foreseeable future, cannot be trusted to the official declarations of the Kremlin's authoritarian rulers. Europe is called on to take responsibility for this part of our continent.

IRL Foreign Policy Council meets Circassian delegation

2010-09-29

On Tuesday, 28 September, the Foreign Policy Council of IRL met with a delegation of the International Circassian Council. The council, established in the US, represents a nation from North Caucasus with 90% of its population living now in Diaspora.

Among other concerns the Circassians draw the attention of international community to violations of human rights and freedom of speech, as well as to the environmental damage caused by the authorities of the Russian Federation while preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The delegation consisted of the Chairman of the Circassian Council Iyad Youghar, Director of Communications at the Circassian Cultural Institute Tamara Barsik, human rights activist Aliy M. Berzegov, and a Chairperson for the upcoming international project of the Travelling Circassian Genocide Museum Setenay Gurcesme.

Earlier the Circassian delegation had a meeting with the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament Riigikogu.

Read the appeal to the Estonian Parliament here

Ministers of the Interior of Estonia and Bulgaria signed an inter-ministerial cooperation agreement

2010-09-22

On 21st September a cooperation agreement between the Ministries of the Interior of the two countries was signed by the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Bulgaria Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

The aim of the agreement is to ensure cooperation of the ministries in order to facilitate the fight against crime in both countries by exchanging information and experience in border management and police sectors.

"The cooperation agreement concluded today is a basis for everyday practical cooperation between national security authorities in both countries and for making long-term strategic decisions", said the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants.

Within the framework of cooperation information and experience necessary for fighting crime will be exchanged: experts from both countries will be involved, meetings and joint training sessions arranged and crime prevention programs implemented.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Bulgaria Tsvetan Tsvetanov also believes that the agreement is very important. In addition to the signing of the agreement the Bulgarian minister has also noted that an overview of the Estonian IT solutions received during the visit was useful. "In the area of electronic services Estonia might be a model for other European states", said the Bulgarian minister.

"I will definitely tell my colleagues about what I saw here and will recommend them to learn from Estonian experience", added the Bulgarian minister while talking about IKT Demonstration Center, e-police and ID-cards.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Bulgaria Tsvetan Tsvetanov arrived in Estonia with a two-day visit in order to sign an inter-ministerial cooperation agreement and to discuss Estonian candidature as a location of a new IT Agency of the European Union. During the visit the Bulgarian minister also had a meeting with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip.

Bulgarian delegation received an overview of the Estonian IT solutions and work of police force by visiting Police and Border Guard Board and Police Coordination Center.

Baltic MEPs Address Marine Eco-Crisis

2010-09-15

MEPs pledged to bring up Baltic Sea environmental issues at the plenary of the European Parliament. Topics included pollution, as well as the possible impact of submerged chemical weapons, the Nord Stream pipeline and the Kaliningrad oil rig.

On September 14, the new parliamentary season's first session of the Baltic Europe Intergroup - a group uniting MEPs from several Baltic Sea countries - discussed the current environmental situation and fish stocks. Presentations were held by MEP Isabella Lövin from Sweden, and Katarina Veem from the Baltic Sea 2020 foundation.

According to Veem, the flow of fertilizers and nutrients into the sea will continue for years to come, despite restrictions limiting their use. A sharp decline in the numbers of cod and other predator fish is increasing the proliferation of algae and deteriorating environmental quality.

Intergroup Chairman Tunne Kelam, who described the situation as critical, proposed to take the discussion of Baltic Sea environmental issues to the plenary of the European Parliament, in the form of a question addressed to the European Commission. The proposal was supported by the members present.

Source: ERR News

Arms Exports: after Lisbon, EU needs better coordination of its arms exports.

2010-09-08

Tunne Kelam MEP and Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš MEP

Today's European Parliament debate on arms exports, initiated by EPP Group Members, was based on solid concerns of several Member States who have been seriously worried about the imminent exports of modern military technology from some Member States to third countries.

"The EU has to develop a working common security and defence strategy", Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš MEP said. "Currently, a Member State can seriously compromise the security interests of other Member States. France's proposed sale of Mistral class ships to Russia shows how much we are lacking in common policy", said Kariņš.

Estonian MEP Tunne Kelam saw the debate as an opportunity not only to voice the concerns of particular Member States but to prepare for the practical implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, including better coordination of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

"It is good to hear that France has decided after all to sell Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia without modern military technology", Kelam said. "However, there remains the need to consult better and in time in the Council with other Member States before any arms sales decision is decided. We need to trust each other more, share our mutual plans and also concerns", concluded the Estonian MEP.

Source: EPP Group in the European Parliament

Laar to provide advice to Moldova

2010-08-10

Chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) Mart Laar will travel to Moldova on Tuesday in order to introduce Estonia's experiences in carrying out reforms and to provide advice to the Government of Moldova, writes LETA/Postimees Online.

Laar will meet with Prime Minister Vladimir Filat as well as with the other cabinet ministers.

His assistance was requested by the World Bank which has lately paid a lot of attention to supporting the new Government of Moldova. Laar himself explained that the reason he was contacted was the success Estonia has achieved after the regaining of independence and the World Bank estimates that among transition countries Estonia has by now achieved the best business climate.

The chairman of IRL estimated that currently Moldova is in the same situation as Georgia in the beginning of reforms and he sees no reason why Moldova should not be able to achieve success.

"Because the former communist nomenclature was in power for a long time in Moldova, the country did not carry out the necessary reforms and by now Moldova is the poorest country in Europe," remarked Laar. He asserted that the new Government that has taken power after the communists were felled has undertaken to improve Moldova's positions. "It will not be easy as the political situation is still unstable and communists may well return to power," he added.

Source: The Baltic Course

70 years from the occupation of the Baltic States

2010-06-14

On Tuesday, June 15, at 13.00 the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian delegations in the EPP Group in the European Parliament commemorate 70 years from the occupation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union in 1940 and at the same time, the anniversary of the first mass deportations from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on June 14, 1941.

The delegations will lay flowers and show the respect for the tens of thousands of victims who were taken from their homes by the Soviet totalitarian regime, many of whom were never to return. Commemorating June 14th has become a tradition in Strasbourg in which many MEPs from other nations also take part.

70 years from the occupation of the Baltic states

by Tunne Kelam, MEP Estonia

Seventy years ago, in June 1940, three European states on the eastern coast of the Baltic sea, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, were invaded by the Red Army and illegally annexed to the Soviet Union. This was the direct result of the August, 23, 1939 pact between two dictators - Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler - who had agreed divide the eastern part of Europe between themselves. Nazi Germany gave the Soviet Union free hands to establish its domination over Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, as well as parts of Poland and Romania.

Within a week after the signing of the Nazi-Soviet friendship pact, Hitler was able to launch aggression against Poland that resulted in the outbreak of World War II. Stalin followed suit, occupying the eastern part of Poland.

Stalin's explanations to his Politburo members four days before signing the Nazi-Soviet Pact should dispell any remaining doubts about the intentions of the Soviet leadership:
"If we accept Germany's proposal to conclude with it a non-aggression pact, Germany will then attack Poland and Europe will be thrown into serious unrest and disorder. .. It is in the interests of the USSR that war break out between the Reich and the capitalist Anglo-French bloc. Everything must be done so that the war lasts as long as possible in order that both sides become exhausted.... In defeated France ... a Communist revolution would follow. ... Later these peoples who fell under the protection of a victorious Germany likewise will become our allies. We would have a large arena in which to develop the world revolution."
Stalin concludes: "Germany has given us full leeway in the Baltic countries and has no objection to returning Bessarabia to the USSR."

At the end of September and the beginning of October 1939, immediately after the destruction of the Polish Republic was completed by the well-coordinated aggression of two dictators, the Soviet Union forced the Baltic states, under the guise of mutual assistance treaties, to admit Soviet army, navy and air force bases on their territories. Officially Estonia had to admit 25,000, but in reality more than 35,000 Red Army soldiers. They vastly outnumbered its own defense force of 12,000. In the words of a Swedish commentator, "Moscow proceeded swiftly to snap Stalin shackles on defenseless Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania."

At the same time, Stalin explicitly promised to respect the sovereignty of the Baltic states and their form of government.

Taking Estonia under Soviet control was conducted in coordination with the other partner of the August 1939 deal - Nazi Germany. In October 1939, a week before Red Army units arrived in Estonia, Hitler ordered the historic German minority to leave that country (some 17,000 Estonian Germans were "repatriated" to the newly conquered Polish territories).

In spring 1940, Moscow began preparations to finalise the occupation of the Baltic states. On May 28, 1940, the official Soviet newspaper Pravda suddenly accused Estonian „elites" of sympathies toward England and of "hatred of Germany and everything German". At the same time, larger Red Army units began to concentrate on the Estonian border. By mid-June, ca 160,000 men and 600 tanks were ready to invade the country whose sea and air connections with the outer world were totally cut off.

On June 14, 1940, when the world's attention was focussed on the Wehrmacht's entry into Paris, Moscow presented an ultimatum to Lithuania, followed on June 16 by similar ultimatums to Latvia and Estonia. All three Baltic governments were accused of "plotting against the Soviet Union" and of "violating" the mutual assistance treaties. Ultimatums demanded the immediate formation of new governments acceptable to Moscow, as well as the stationing of additional Soviet troops. In the Soviet military directives, the Baltic states are referred to as "the enemy".

On June 17, 1940, the complete military occupation of Estonia began. An additional 80,000 Soviet troops entered that country of 1,2 million, bringing their total number well over 100,000. This proportion of one Red Army soldier for every ten Estonian civilians was maintained over the next half century of Soviet rule.

Under international law, the Republic of Estonia, a member of the League of Nations, became an occupied state on June 17, 1940. Two days later, Andrei Zhdanov, Stalin's plenipotentary, arrived in Tallinn to conduct a transfer of power from the legal Government to a puppet Soviet regime. By that time, the Red Army had assumed total control of the country. Estonian army units were confined to their barracks, the paramilitary Defense League was disarmed. The Soviet security police, the NKVD, began to arrest people and to purge Government institutions. To disguise the Moscow-organized coup d'ètat, Zhdanov ordered Estonian communists (at that time numbering 150) to stage demonstrations against the incumbent Government. Most of the participants were Russian workers from Soviet military bases, Red Army troops in civilian clothes as well as ethnic Russians from border areas who had been brought to Tallinn by trains. They were accompanied by Red Army tanks.

By that time, Estonian political and military leaders were completely isolated from the outside world. President Konstantin Päts became a hostage of foreign invaders. In the Soviet Embassy, Zhdanov prepared the list for a new Government which was to be led by some leftist intellectuals while the power positions were already controlled by Communists. In the subsequent Soviet narrative, these events were called the "1940 June revolution". The new Government initially promised to preserve the independence of Estonia as a close ally of the Soviet Union.

Immediately after the political coup, all public organisations were disbanded, Communists established control over media and the suppression of suspected opposition began. Next, Stalin ordered extraordinary elections to be carried out in all three occupied Baltic states. Only one official list of candidates was presented - that of the Estonian Working People's League. Despite intimidation and harsh political pressure, patriotic groups succeeded in filing alternative candidates. However, the latter were removed from the lists by force. The July 14-15 "elections" left no room whatsoever for choice. Polling stations were guarded by Red Army soldiers, citizens were threatened to be labelled as "enemies of the people" if they did not show up. Even then, the results were grossly falsified as shown by the preserved protocols of the electoral committees.
The final step to merge the Republic of Estonia into the Soviet Union was made on July 21, 1940, when the illegally formed parliament, confronted with a row of armed Red Army soldiers who were lined up before the deputies, duly voted to transform Estonia into a Soviet state, petitioning immediately for its admission into the Soviet Union. The petitions of all three Baltic puppet parliaments showed the same handwriting and were "satisfied" by the Moscow's Supreme Soviet respectively on August 3, 5 and 6, 1940.

The international legal status of the Soviet-occupied Baltic states was defined authoritatively by the prompt reaction of the US Government. On July 23, acting US Secretary of State Sumner Wells declared that "the people of the United States are opposed to predatory activities no matter whether they are carried out by the use of force or by the threat of force".
Referring to the Stimson Doctrine, the State Department stated that non-recognition of illegal seizure of foreign territories would be applied to the Soviet Union as it had been applied to Japan, Germany and Italy.
This was the start of the important United States policy of non recognition of the Baltic states' incorporation by force into the Soviet Union - the policy that during decades to follow became the only line of hope for the enslaved and isolated Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians. As a result of this policy, Baltic diplomats continued their activities in Washington as part of the diplomatic corps, the assets of three Baltic states in the USA were granted protection and American authorities refused to turn over Baltic merchant vessels to the Soviet Union.
Responding on August 9, 1940 to a Soviet note, the State department concluded: "it has become apparent that the governments and people of those countries were being deprived of freedom of action by foreign troops which had entered their territories by force or threat of force."
United States recognition of the legal continuity of the occupied Baltic states and their diplomats lasted until the restoration of Baltic independence in August 1991. It served to encourage other Western democracies not to yield to Soviet pressure and to continue to regard the Baltic states as illegally occupied.

The 1940 Soviet occupation resulted in the demolition of the state structures and civil society of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and wiped these three states from the political map of Europe for half a century. The Baltic States were subjected to terror and the systematic suppression of basic rights to life, property, free expression and the rule of law. Especially the national leaders, civil servants, entrepeneurs, policemen, military and Russian emigrés were targeted for destruction. 55 members of the pre-invasion Estonian Parliament and the mayors of 11 major cities were murdered. Of eleven former Prime Ministers, four were executed, five died in imprisonment, one committed suicide. Only one managed to escape to Sweden. A forced nationalization stripped practically all owners of their property without compensation. Industrial enterprises, banks, larger private homes and even motor vehicles were taken over by the Communist Government; all bank accounts were confiscated. Farms were limited to a maximum of 30 hectares.

The Soviet regime's first mass crimes against humanity in the Baltics were the deportations which had been planned by Moscow since the end of 1940. Security forces were directed to repress first of all "activists of the counter-revolutionary parties", members of "anti-Soviet" and "nationalistic" organizations, owners of sizeable properties, civil servants etc. These definitions covered all non-Communist parties, all NGOs and patriotic organizations, including Boy Scouts, members of the Red Cross and clergy.
More than half of the approximately 10,000 persons deported from Estonia on June 14, 1941 were women, children and elderly people, who were crammed into railroad cattle cars. They were transported for thousands of kilometres to Siberia and unloaded in primitive conditions as slave labour, facing cold, hunger and the denial of their basic rights. As a rule, men were arrested and separated from their families. By the spring 1942, of more than 3000 men only a couple of hundred were still alive; hundreds of them were shot in prison camps as a result of court martial verdicts. After many years only 4331 deportees - less than half - were able to return to their homeland. The 1941 deportees included about 10% of the Estonian Jewish community.
These deportations from the annexed Baltic states constituted massive ethnic cleansing operations against civilian populations, conducted by Soviet Communists in peace time. Approximately 50,000 nationals were deported from the Baltic states in June 1941.
As the first trainloads of deportees were arriving in Siberia, the next wave of deportations had already been prepared by the Soviet authorities. However, due to the German invasion in June 1941, the NKVD managed to implement it only on the island of Saaremaa.

The first year of the Soviet Communist regime (June 1940 - August 1941) made a profound impact on the Estonian people. The scope and cruelty of indiscriminate violence and destruction was so shocking that the whole nation reached one and the same conclusion - nothing could have been worse.

The annexation of the Baltic states in 1940 did not remain an isolated act of international aggression. The Baltic model of using military occupation disguised as "social revolution" was used by Stalin during the second half of the 1940s throughout Eastern and Central Europe, where, based on the presence of Red Army, Soviet vassal states, so-called "peoples' democracies" were created.
Marek Kornat, the Polish historian, concludes his study with the following words: "if there are any lessons to draw from European history of the 1938 -1940 period, it is the understanding that Europe can never be divided into spheres of influence and that no part of the continent can be regarded from the viewpoint of all-European security interests as more or less important. The European continent is an integral whole. Consequently we need to bridle aggressive states because history teaches us that any policy of one-sided concessions will have a high price and can lead nowhere."

The European Parliament was the first international body to pass in January 1983 a resolution on the Baltic nations, condemning „the occupation of these formerly independent and neutral states by the Soviet Union that occurred in 1940 following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact...". Led by Otto von Habsburg, members of the European Parliament stressed that "the Soviet annexation of the three Baltic states has still not been formally recognized by most European states and the USA...". The resolution called on the Foreign Ministers to form a common favourable approach to the 1979 appeal by Baltic freedom fighters with the aim of recognizing the rights of the Baltic states to self-determination and independence.

Representatives of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have on numerous occasions voiced their gratitude for this authoritative support by the European Parliament for their aspirations to restore independence and democracy. This June, we commemorate the tragic events of 70 years ago not alone, but together with our friends and colleagues from all over Europe. The ordeals, sufferings and also achievements of the Baltic nations in restoring freedom and democracy will from now on be an important and inseparable part of our common European history.

Strasbourg, June 14, 2010

Estonia wants to re-launch Tallinn-Warsaw passenger rail service

2010-06-04

Estonia plans to propose to restore the Tallinn-Warsaw passenger rail service by using the existing rail infrastructure, said economy minister Juhan Parts today.

Parts told ERR that Estonia will put forward such a proposal at the meeting of transport ministers of EU countries to be held on June 8.

If the proposal finds backing in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and all partners will take swift action, the first train could go on the line in about a year at the soonest, Parts said today at a press conference.

Juhan Parts met with Pavel Telicka, EU official who coordinates the Rail Baltica project in the EU, in May. Parts said that Estonia would allocate 1.3 billion kroons for the project which includes EU aid: "However, this requires good cooperation and willingness from all three Baltic states and the European Commission".

The Estonian government 's position is that it is necessary to launch passenger train service on the existing rail infrastructure in the next few years. "Equally important is to ensure that it is possible to travel to Warsaw reasonably quickly by rail," said Parts, addign that this required joint initiative to overcome bureucracy and technical obstacles.

Rail Baltica project will be discussed in June in the conference of pan-European transport networks.

In April the Baltic states launched a feasibility study for Rail Baltica corridor to find out if construction of a new 1435 mm gauge European standard railway line is feasible and what would be the costs and benefits for the countries concerned.

Based on the results of the study, Latvia Lithuania and Estonia will make the decision when the new EU standard railway line can be developed.

The contract to carry out the feasibility study was won by UK firm AECOM. The study is to be completed in early 2011.

Rail Baltica feasibility study is included in Trans-European Transport Network 2007-2013 multiannual programme approved by European Commission. Within the programme, the project has been assigned Community funding of 50% of the total project costs. The national funding of 50% is provided from state budget resources of each country concerned. The total cost of the feasibility study amounts to EUR 396,000.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

World War II: Apologies for past crimes have to precede future victory parades. Tunne Kelam MEP

2010-05-06

On May 9, 2010, the Kremlin leaders will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany and leaders from all over Europe have been invited to Moscow. "This is probably not the best venue or style to mark the end of World War II. Moscow celebrations generate mixed feelings among many, particularly the nations of Central and Eastern Europe," declares EPP Group MEP Tunne Kelam.

Five years ago, on May 11, 2005, the European Parliament reacted to a similar Kremlin-sponsored celebration by initiating a resolution on the consequences of WW II. The parliament concluded that "for some nations, the end of World War II meant renewed tyranny inflicted by the Stalinist Soviet Union."

"The end of WW II in Europe is generally taken to mean that the Allied powers restored freedom to the European nations subjugated by Hitler.

Tragically for Central and Eastern Europe, the coming of the Red Army meant the replacing of one form of murderous dictatorship with another. In Central and Eastern Europe alone, in the first five years after the defeat of the Nazis at least one million persons were killed during the formation of so-called peoples' democracies. In the Soviet Union, the number of Gulag inmates more than doubled during the period immediately following the war," says Kelam.

"The basic goal of the war - to defeat the Nazi Germany and its allies - was absolutely right. However, one should never forget that the launching of WW II was the result of the August 23, 1939 alliance between Stalin and Hitler. From the beginning, both dictatorships had similar long-term strategic goals - primary among these was world domination. These goals never changed during the course of the war or as a result of changing alliances. Although eventually an important partner in crushing Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union remains co-responsible for launching the very same war, the end of which Moscow rulers are now so eager to celebrate. The Soviet Union also helped Hitler to conquer Western and Southern Europe, supplying the Wehrmacht with all possible strategic raw materials for 22 crucial months of the war."

"Reunited Europe must remind Russia, the legal successor to the Soviet Union, that apologies for past crimes have to precede future victory parades. Continued May 9 festivities in Moscow under the scenario of the KGB-FSB leadership, nostalgic about the collapse of the Soviet Union, will only obfuscate the truth." stated Kelam.

MEP Kelam reminded The European Parliament's "Resolution on European Conscience and Totalitarianism" (adopted in April 2009) concluded that reconciliation on crimes committed by Communist totalitarian regimes can be achieved only by "admitting responsibility, asking for forgiveness and fostering moral revival".

"In the future, the end of WW II in Europe should properly be celebrated in Strasbourg, the symbol of true reconciliation and the cradle of united democratic Europe. It is high time for the European Union member states to implement the call by the European Parliament to proclaim August 23 as a Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian regimes," concluded Kelam.

Estonia bidding to host the IT Agency in the field of justice and home affairs

2010-04-29

The Ministry of the Interior has submitted Estonia's official proposal to host the Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice.

"Estonia is known for its innovative society and use of IT. Therefore, Estonia would be a perfect environment for the Agency," said the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants. "Estonia´s candidacy follows the decision of the European Council from 2003 that new Member States should have the priority of hosting agencies. It is an important political commitment that ensures balance all over the Union," Pomerants emphasised.

Estonia is willing to invest around 20 million EUR upon becoming the host for the Agency. This includes office premises in Tallinn and custom-built data centre for future developments in close proximity of the capital . The Government is also prepared to contribute to introducing the European School curricula and form a support team to assist establishment of the Agency.

According to Minister Pomerants, Estonia has always devoted a lot of attention to security. Tallinn already hosts NATO´s Cooperative Cyber Defence COE that manifests Estonia's competence in the field of IT security and innovation. It would also be more cost-effective to have the headquarters and new data centres in the new Member State.

The Agency should become fully operational in 2012. The host country will be selected by the Council. Besides Estonia, only France has submitted its proposal to host the Agency.

Estonia's proposal can be found at: http://www.siseministeerium.ee/itagency

Source: Estonian Ministry of the Interior

Pro Patria and Res Publica Union appoints Ken-Marti Vaher as Secretary General

2010-03-20

The extended board of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) on Saturday gave consent to the appointment of Ken-Marti Vaher as the new Secretary General of the party.

The board of IRL supported the proposal of party chairman Mart Laar to appoint Vaher, current chairman of the parliamentary legal affairs committee, as new head of the party administration.

Vaher has headed the legal affairs committee since 2007 and will stay in this post also after assuming his new duties as Secretary General of the party.

Ken-Marti Vaher held the position of Secretary General also in the former Res Publica party about ten years ago. In 2003-2005 Vaher was a minister of justice in Juhan Parts' government and then returned to parliament as an MP.

The current Secretary General Margus Tsahkna was appointed political secretary of IRL by the extended board.

Estonian Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo to visit Silicon Valley

2010-03-15

During his three-day stay in United States Estonian Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo will keynote a top level cyber security conference and meet with Estonian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.

On Wednesay, March 17, Aaviksoo will keynote this year's IT Security Entrepreneurs' Forum: "Bridging the Gaps" in our Nation's Cyber Security: Connecting Leadership, Innovation, and Policy" at Stanford University. The Forum will gather more than 200 government, industry and venture capital leaders.

Jaak Aaviksoo will also speak to entrepreneurs at the Plug and Play Tech Center on Estonia's experience in cyber warfare - warding off massive DDOS attacks in 2007 and about the recent developments on the research of online threats.

The Under Secretary of Defence of the US thanked Estonia for close alliance relations

2010-02-26

Jaak Aaviksoo, the Minister of Defence, and Michèle Flournoy, the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, assured that the military alliance relations between the US and Estonia are secure and the bilateral military cooperation is becoming more active.

The Under Secretary of Defence of the US said that Estonia's contribution to ensuring of international security is significant and highly valued in Washington and in the NATO as a whole.

"Close alliance relations to Estonia and the other Baltic States are clearly in the centre of the US defence policy," Michèle Flournoy said.

Jaak Aaviksoo, the Minister of Defence, said that Estonia has shown its commitment to collective security and sent members of the Defence Forces to serve side by side with soldiers of the US in Afghanistan, the focal point of the most important military operation of the NATO. "We continue this mission in the same volume but beside military presence it is even more important to increase civil activity by sending supplementary aid and experts," said the Ministry of Defence.

Aaviksoo assured that the US show more and more commitment to collective security and also regarding a regional aspect which is important to Estonia.

"The best proof for that are the several military training exercises held in Estonia and in its close proximity," Jaak Aaviksoo, the Minister of Defence said after the meeting.

In the meeting the NATOs wider role, which in addition to the collective defence-centred principles also includes new challenges regarding terrorism, cyber crimes and energy supply, in ensuring European security was discussed.

Michèle Flournoy, the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy of the US recognised the initiative of Estonia to establish a NATO cyber defence centre and was of the opinion that exchange of information and experience in cyber-related matters would become even more intense than it is now.

In the meeting the NATO's relations to Russia and possible joint activities regarding restrictions of weapons of mass destruction, relations to Iran and combat with pirates and international terrorism were also touched.

Defence cooperation of Estonia and France shall be closer

2010-02-26

Jaak Aaviksoo, the Minister of Defence, and Pierre Lellouche, the Minister of State for European affairs of France, agreed upon closer defence cooperation between Estonia and France.

„The defence cooperation until now has enabled to establish a strong foundation which is a great place to move forward," Jaak Aaviksoo, the Minister of Defence said after the meeting.

„France has been a committed ally and participated, on several occasions, in air policing missions of the Baltic States and also in the Baltic Defence College but I'm glad that France still sees several ways how our defence-related cooperation could expand and become closer, for example increased participation in training exercises in the Baltic States, "Aaviksoo explained.

Lellouche, the Minsiter of State, also explained the issues regarding a possible weapon transaction of France and Russia, and further exchange of information was agreed upon.

It was decided that in the near future the politics directors of the Ministries of Defence shall meet in order to discuss the action plan of reaching the closer defence cooperation within the next following years.

In the meeting the issues of regional security and the NATO's strategic concept were discussed. The Ministers recognised that collective defence would remain the main task of the NATO also in the future.

Source: Estonian Ministry of Defence

Estonian Independence Day: Joseph Daul MEP congratulates Estonia

2010-02-24

Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, the largest political Group in the European Parliament, has congratulated the people of Estonia on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the proclamation of Estonia's independence on 24 February 1918.

"On behalf of the EPP Group, I would like to congratulate the people and government of Estonia on Independence Day", Daul said.

"After regaining independence, Estonia made incredible progress and became a full member of the EU. We wish you much success in taking up the challenge of joining the Eurozone. I am convinced that Estonia will meet the necessary criteria and will join the Eurozone in 2011. The EPP Group will support you in these efforts", Daul concluded.

Herkel meets President Aliyev and imprisoned bloggers at visit to Azerbaijan

2010-02-09

The leader of the PACE delegation of the Riigikogu Andres Herkel is staying in Azerbaijan this week, in order to meet human rights protectors, journalists, political prisoners, and representatives of the opposition and government, in connection with the report prepared by summer. At the end of the four-day visit, meetings with the President of the Parliament, the Head of Administration to President, and President Ilham Aliyev are scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Together with Herkel, Joseph Debono Grech, Member of the Parliament of Malta with a 42-year experience in politics who has been the Minister of Agriculture as well as the Minister of Transport in his country, is participating as a co-rapporteur in such mission for the first time. Yesterday, Herkel and Debono Grech met in prison youth activists Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade who are more widely known as the so-called imprisoned bloggers. The young men were imprisoned last summer and they have been sentenced for two and a half year and two years, respectively, on the charge of hooliganism. The judgment has been appealed.

In Herkel's words, the charges are very obviously a fabrication and the case has attracted wide attention in the world exactly because, earlier, often classical journalists have been detained but Milli and Hajizade are clearly representatives of the new media. One of them kept a video blog and the other involved people in his activities mainly through Facebook.

Today, Herkel and Debono Grech are continuing meetings in Gandja (Kirovobad in Soviet times) which is the second largest city of the country and a former capital.

Source: Riigikogu

Parts: EU and Russia should consolidate cooperation in railway matters

2010-02-09

Vladimir Jakunin, the Chief Executive of Russian Railways, and Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia, who met Tuesday morning, agreed that European Union and Russia should consolidate cooperation in the matters of railway.

Parts and Jakunin were both certain that in the perspective of the following ten years the bulk of goods traffic will grow and in the light of that a more effective cooperation is necessary.

„This presumes a better co-ordination from both parties," said Parts. „A modern railway is the most effective and economical means of terrestrial transportation. An effective functioning of goods traffic is in the interest of both parties."

The International Regional Rail Business Forum "Strategic Partnership 1520: The Baltic Sea Region" will be held in Tallinn from 8-10 February. Delegations from 25 different countries will attend.

Source: Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications

Joseph Daul congratulates Mart Laar on his re-election as Chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union

2010-02-02

Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, the largest political Group in the European Parliament, has congratulated Mart Laar on his re-election as Chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union in Estonia.

In his message to Mart Laar, Daul congratulated the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union for the successful Congress held in Tallinn on Sunday.

"Under your leadership, the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union has proven to be a strong partner in the current government. During these times of crisis, one has to have courage to take difficult decisions. It would be easy to go along with pressure and make populist and short-term decisions. But I believe the strength of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union has always been in its farsightedness", Chairman Daul said.

"On behalf of the EPP Group, I wish you all the best for the future and great success for the parliamentary elections in March 2011", concluded Daul.

EPP congratulates Mart Laar for his re-election as IRL president

2010-02-01

The President of the European People's Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, congratulated today Mart Laar for his re-election as the President of the Estonian EPP member-party Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL). At the successful Congress of more than 2 000 participants held yesterday in Tallinn, Mart Laar received vast support from the IRL delegates (90 per cent).

"I would like to warmly congratulate IRL for its successful Congress and my good friend Mart Laar for his re-election as IRL President. Under Mart Laar's leadership, the IRL has proven to be a strong and reliable partner in the current centre-right government of Estonia and I am a convinced that the party will achieve even greater successes in the 2011 March elections," underlined the EPP President.

Mart Laar and his party belong to the largest and most influential European political family - the European People's Party - which currently includes 72 member-parties from 39 countries, 13 EU and 6 non-EU heads of state and government, the Presidents of the Council, Commission and Parliament, as well as the largest Group in the European Parliament.

Source: European People's Party

Mart Laar re-elected as IRL president, Parts, Ergma and Lukas as vice-presidents.

2010-01-31

The members of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) re-elected Mart Laar as party chairman at the congress held in Tallinn on Sunday, 31 January. The speaker of the parliament Ene Ergma, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communication Juhan Parts and Minister of Education and Research Tõnis Lukas were elected vice-chairmen.

Former Prime Minister and current leader of IRL's parliamentary group Mart Laar gained 1760 votes; Juhan Parts 1248, Ene Ergma 1180 and Tõnis Lukas 594 votes.

Out of 32 candidates 20 were elected to the party board: Marko Mihkelson, Tõnis Palts, Siim Kiisler, Ken-Marti Vaher, Sven Sester, Urmas Reinsalu, Priit Sibul, Madis Kübar, Siim Kabrits, Indrek Raudne, Tiit Leier, Tunne Kelam, Erki Nool, Peeter Tulviste, Andres Herkel, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Mart Nutt, Lauri Vahtre, Tarmo Kruusimäe and Liisa Pakosta.

The congress also elected five-member audit committee, as well as nine-member court of honour.

IRL has 9537 members. The congress had 2039 participants.

Photos of the event

Aaviksoo: A year of intense co-operation ahead for Estonia and US

2010-01-29

Yesterday the Minister of Defence Jaak Aavikso met with US's new ambassador to Estonia Michael C. Polt, with whom issues related to bilateral defense co-operation, were discussed.

Minister of Defence Aaviksoo stated that defense cooperation between Estonia and its strategic ally US has improved in terms of substance, efficiency and strategic scope. "The beginning year will involve a number of joint exercises, including host nation support exercise "Baltic Host" held between the US and the Baltic States, as well as US marines' landing exercise in Estonia and joint ground forces exercise in Latvia," the minister noted. In addition, the minister also highlighted plans to increase the countries mutual cooperation in Afghanistan.

The US ambassador stated that the upcoming bilateral engagements are a sign of close ties between the two countries. Both men also assured that the principle of collective defence, shall remain the cornerstone of the NATO.

Michael C. Polt is the US's ambassador to Estonia since December 2009.

Source: Estonian Ministry of Defence

Estonian and Georgian Ministers of Agriculture signed the Memorandum of Cooperation

2010-01-22

Yesterday, Estonian Minister of Agriculture Helir-Valdor Seeder and Georgian Minister of Agriculture Bakur Kvezereli signed the Memorandum of Cooperation, which concentrates on the development assistance provided by Estonia and on bilateral economic and trade relations in the field of agriculture and food production.

By Minister Kvezereli's words, Georgia is interested in cooperation with different international organisations and expects the contribution of Estonian experts. At the same time, Georgia is open for the investments of Estonian companies, for which several advantages are offered, incl. the sale of agricultural land under favourable conditions.

Regarding the exchange of goods, Georgia primarily offers to Estonia its wines, expecting dairy and fishery products in return. Today, fishery products make up the majority of Estonian food export to Georgia. As for trade in dairy products, direct contacts between companies should follow and Georgian Minister promised his support for the establishment of relations.

Minister Helir-Valdor Seeder said that cooperation between the two Ministries has been rather active and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed yesterday promotes its continuation. „For instance, at the end of last year, Georgian representatives participated in the Tallinn international seminar on development assistance provided in the field of agriculture and food." told Seeder. „Considering the similar history of our countries, we shall be able to support Georgia in several domains."

Source: Estonian Ministry of Agriculture

The Minister of the Interior discussed the European Union's domestic security strategy in Toledo

2010-01-22

On Thursday, January 21st, the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants participated in the informal meeting of the European Union Ministers of Home Affairs and Justice in Toledo, Spain.

One of the most important agenda items was cooperation in the fight against terrorism that was discussed with the participation of Janet Napolitano, the US Secretary for Homeland Security. At the meeting, the EU ministers of the interior and US Secretary of Homeland Security passed a joint declaration, which stressed the need to intensify the exchange of information between countries and to consider additional possibilities for guaranteeing security in air travel.

In their speeches, the ministers emphasized that the support for third countries, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the fight against terrorism should be coordinated more effectively. The ministers also pointed out the need to accelerate work on the directive that would allow the use of booking information of European Union air travelers.

"The experience of various countries demonstrates that air travelers' booking information is of significant help to law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism and organized crime. Since the use of booking information speeds up the control of the travelers, it also makes it simpler and more convenient for the travelers," Minister of the Interior Pomerants said. At the same time, the minister stressed that this assumes the establishment of very clear rules for the use and preservation of the data.

On his visit, Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants was accompanied by Kristo Põllu and Uku Särekanno, Councillors of Internal Affairs at the Estonian Permanent Delegation to the European Union and Maila Sass, Councillor of the Ministry of the Interior on European Union Matters.

Source: Estonian Ministry of the Interior

Estonian and Latvian Ministers for Regional Affairs discuss cross-border co-operation in Valga

2010-01-21

A joint session of intergovernmental commissions for cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Latvia is held in Valga under the leadership of the Minister fof Regional Affairs Siim Kiisler on Friday, 22 January. The participants intend to agree on cooperation priorities and a plan for solving specific problems.

According to the Minister for Regional Affairs Siim Kiisler, cooperation between Estonia and Latvia is important in order to ensure high-quality social services for the residents of border areas and to create possibilities for improving the employment level. "For instance, we place great importance in the provision of mutual assistance as regards emergency medical care and rescue services in border areas, as well as in the Valga-Riga railway connection. If we reach an agreement in respect of priorities between our two countries, we can also appoint the responsible parties and determine the dates. It is important for me that this co-operation would not just be left on paper," said Kiisler.

Cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Latvia on the governmental commissions level started in 2004. The commission includes representatives from ministries, Riigikogu, county governments and local governments. The last joint session of the two commissions was held in 2005.

Source: Estonian Ministry of the Interior

Mart Laar receives high Georgian decoration from president Mikheil Saakashvili

2010-01-20

Today, January 20, 2010, the president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili awarded the Chairman of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Mart Laar the St. George's Victory Order, which is the highest state decoration a foreigner can receive.

Laar was awarded for his activities in pulling Georgia out of economic crisis into which the country had sunk in the beginning of the 21st century.

By applying Estonia's experience in carrying out economic reforms, Laar helped to raise Georgia's competitiveness and decrease significantly corruption.

Mart Laar stated that while he is extremely honored to receive this award, he feels that the real honor belongs to the Georgians. As the economic adviser to the President it was his task to suggest several measures for pulling Georgia out from its difficult economic situation and for creating a favorable environment for investments.

„The situation in Georgia was indeed depressing, I have to admit that I've never seen a country economically so collapsed. Georgia has carried out a miracle and it is almost impossible to recognize this country any more," said Laar.

„My role in Georgia has been to give advice, but the real honor belongs to the Georgians who had courage to follow the direction of radical reforms and to achieve success on this road".

The very first St. George's Victory Order was awarded to U.S. president George W. Bush in 2005. The President of Poland Lech Kaczyński and the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus were the next recipients of the order.

Estonian Minister of Agriculture: Historical meeting in Berlin

2010-01-18

For the first time after the restoration of independence in Estonia, the Minister of Agriculture of Estonia met the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Viktor Zubkov and the Minister of Agriculture of Russia Jelena Skrõnnik, who invited him to Moscow to discuss the development of bilateral agricultural relations and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation.

„Regarding foodstuffs, Russia has always been an important trading partner for Estonia, but at state level our cooperation has been modest so far," told the Minister of Agriculture of Estonia Helir-Valdor Seeder. „The high-level meeting held yesterday allows us to believe that our cooperation will start to improve."

The future cooperation between the two countries will primarily concern the export and import of food products and the problems of fisheries. In the future, a High-Level Working Group will be established on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to be signed in Moscow. The Group will meet at least once a year, also enabling consultations on current trade problems.

After the restoration of independence in Estonia, the Minister of Agriculture of Estonia has never met the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture of Russia. At the meeting, the general situation of agriculture in the context of the global economic downturn and the importance of Grüne Woche, the biggest food fair of the world taking place for the 75th time this year, were also discussed.

Source: Estonian Ministry of Agriculture

Juhan Parts: Estonia must do more to ensure euro zone entry

2010-01-05

The minister said that tax collection was better than planned in last year's budget and there won't come an abrupt fall. Thus, he said, the question mark hanging above the accession with the euro can now be taken off.

Parts added that by spring, the budgetary strategy for the next three years must be compiled. "There will be cost-cutting pressure on the public sector but hopefully we don't have to make a lot of cuts anymore," he said.

Parts added that the economy and communications ministry has agreed that the priority of this year is jobs and all new initiatives to create jobs must be supported and entrepreneurship revived.

Parts said that great hopes lay on small and medium-sized companies which should cooperate more and enter foreign markets with common projects.

Speaking of this year, the minister mentioned allocating 2.5 billion kroons for different entrepreneurship programs and deciding upon issues connected to Eesti Energia in the first half of the year.

"We wouldn't want to have another campaign year, we want to focus on real work," said Parts.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Mart Laar receives high Finnish decoration

2009-12-11

Finnish President Tarja Halonen has awarded Mart Laar, historian and chairman of the Estonian Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) party, the Knight of the Order of the White Rose, first class.

Laar was nominated for the honour by Finnish war veterans in recognition of his research into the history of World War II. The decoration was handed over by Finnish Ambassador to Estonia Jaakko Kalela, spokespeople for IRL said.

"It certainly would not have been possible to receive this decoration without the Estonian men who, fighting for the freedom of Finland and for the honour of Estonia, showed that Estonia's goal in World War II was to support neither of the two totalitarian great powers," said Laar.

Last year the man of letters Rein Veidemann received the same decoration.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Tunne Kelam: Selling Mistral -type helicopter carriers to Russia equals rewarding Kremlin for its invasion of Georgia

2009-11-23

Statement at opening session of European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg

The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is the only international mission monitoring the implementation of the August 12 and September 8, 2008 agreements between Russia and Georgia.

Catherine Ashton should now make it perfectly clear to the Russian side that they must guarantee EUMM access to the separatist occupied Georgian territories without any further delay.

Today, a French Mistral-type helicopter carrier arrived in St. Petersburg. The plan to sell this modern warship to Russia is tantamount to rewarding the Kremlin for its invasion of Georgia last year.

In the words of the Commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vysotsky, in August 2008 this type of ship would have enabled the Russian fleet to carry out its mission in 40 minutes instead of 26 hours.

If so, President Sarkozy would have had no time to prevent Mr. Putin at the last moment from occupying the Georgian capital. Providing the Russian Navy with the newest NATO technology means taking responsibility for encouraging Kremlin hawks to carry out in real life the scenarios for invading territories of their neighbours as practiced in their recent military exercises. This will be a very heavy blow to the credibility and solidarity of NATO defence policies.

Tunne Kelam: New member states should have a representative in the new EU "troika"

2009-11-11

In the debate on the results of the recent European Council, the EPP representative Tunne Kelam from Estonia made three observations:

First, with the Lisbon Treaty finally coming into force, the EU will, more than ever, need an effective common foreign, security and energy policy, based on solidarity. Only such common policies can prevent the concluding of further Schröder - Putin deals.

Second, in this new situation, we must realize how important it is continuously to have a strong European Commission that can take full responsibility for the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty. The role of the future Commission must not be weakened by the creation of the new EU top offices.

Third, we must summon the courage not just to consider portfolios but to propose and to support strong individuals with far-reaching vision and strong commitment to the continuity of the common European values.

In order to successfully address enormous new challenges, the EU needs once again true European statesmen of the calibre of Adenauer, Schuman and de Gasperi. We should actively seek such leaders, casting aside preconceptions and prejudices. Such statesmen can be found as well in the new member states which certainly should be represented in the future EU "troika".

Minister: NATO defence plans are not a mirage

2009-10-27

Estonian Minister of Defence said that NATO has defence plans in Baltics and they're being developed in cooperation, ERR News reports.

"One has to keep in mind that the plans exist in variety of levels and formats," Aaviksoo answered, when asked why did Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite say at the Presidents' meeting on Saturday that NATO doesn't have certain defence plan for the Baltics.

"I think that what Lithuanian President means is of what is said "Poland has, Turkey has, Norway has, but Baltics don't." Those are actually conventional conflict resistance plans from the Cold War time which really need much military planning," Aaviksoo said.

He said that the documents are in different form and have different aims.

"Objective fears need planning to be solved and I'm quite convinced that these plans will be developed within NATO. Everything happens gradually. Less emotions and more actions - we've been on this track so far and we continue in this direction," Aaviksoo said.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

New members of Tallinn city council approved

2009-10-27

Tallinn election commission approved new membership of Tallinn city council, which will meet for the first time on November 5.

Members of the council from Pro Patria and Res Publica Union are: Siim Kabrits, Tarmo Kruusimäe, Madis Kübar, Andres Luus, Urmas Mardi, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Tõnis Palts, Indrek Raudne, Reet Roos, Nikolai Stelmach, Anna-Greta Tsahkna, Kalev Vapper and Andres Öpik.

Tunne Kelam: There is a third party in Russian-Georgian conflict

2009-10-22

Speaking on October 22th at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg where parliamentarians assessed the international commission's report on the 2008 Russian-Georgian conflict, the European Peoples Party member Tunne Kelam said that the conflict has a third party, too. This is the international community, including the European Union.

In Kelam's words, one has for a too long time and too easily become used to the existence of the so-called frozen conflicts. Accommodating to the existence of these conflicts equals appeasement.

"The central conclusion to be drawn from the conflict is that Georgia did not invade the territory of Russian Federation whereas Russian invaded with massive military force the Georgian territory and was about to occupy its capital city", stated Kelam.

According to Kelam, this was an unprecedented breach of basic norms of international conduct that dramatically undermined Russia's credibility as a reliable partner.

International reaction to this conflict has been ambiguous, said Kelam. Terming this invasion as an "excessive use of force" can be assessed only as a continuing appeasement. While Russian leaders have apparently succeeded to avoid any international consequences of their military invasion, they see themselves as winners.

"Alarmingly, this has in fact increased the likelihood of new Russian military aggressions in the areas like Crimea or even in the Baltic Sea region", Kelam warned.

In Kelam's opinion, a EU's strong presence and clear commitment in guaranteeing Georgia's freedom to choose its future path and retain its territorial integrity will be of utmost importance.

IRL faction to pass draft act for controlling monopolies

2009-10-12

Today Pro Patria and Res Publica union (IRL) decided to propose Reform Part and Green Party to start a draft that controls monopolies, aripaev.ee writes.

The aim is to keep water, heating and gas monopolies under control by setting upper limits of profits. Competition Authority would also get complete control over bigger water and heating companies and more competence over supervising monopolies.

Margus Kasepalu, the deputy head of Competition Authority said that this is necessary, but it increases authority's work load.

"The draft is certainly most needed and feasible, in our opinion. Competition Authority has necessary knowledge and experience," Kasepalu said.

He added that it certainly means higher work loan since the number of regulated companies is higher.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Minister Parts wants to bring Asia's air transit to Tallinn Airport

2009-10-11

Export and investment plan "Made in Estonia" intends to make Tallinn Airport a hub to Asian aviation companies, Eesti Päevaleht reports.

Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications sent an additional application together with 2010 budget, wanting the state to donate security service.

"It's really specific method to lower airport fees without bankrupting airport. I have no idea what the cabinet thinks of it, but it's financially not insuperable," he said. Rein Loik, the director of Tallinn Airport said that the plan has positive aspects.

"Airports have very high costs and it's possible to lower fees when transit grows," he said.

That would also create new jobs and bring tourists to the town.

"Those investments certainly justify themselves and tourist flow would support smaller Estonian routes as well," Loik said.

About 41 pct of aircrafts in Estonian air space are linked with transit between Europe and Asia.

Source: balticbusinessnews.com

Parts: Likeliness of joining euro is 70 pct

2009-10-02

Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications said that Estonia has 70% probability of fulfilling the Maastricht criteria.

"We have differently optimistic people in the government. I'm not that much of an optimist, but joining euro-zone /.../ is actually quite realistic," Parts said.

"I asked from colleague Ligi (Jürgen Ligi - Minister of Finance), what's his estimation. I will not tell what he said, but I say that reality of meeting the criteria is 70-30 today," Parts said.

He said that euro is a natural part of exiting the crisis.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Open letter: Europe must stand up for Georgia

2009-09-22

As Europe remembers the shame of the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact of 1939 and the Munich agreement of 1938, and as it prepares to celebrate the fall of the Berlin wall and the iron curtain in 1989, one question arises in our minds: Have we learned the lessons of history? Put another way, are we able to avoid repeating the mistakes that cast such a dark shadow over the 20th century?

To deplore or celebrate past events is a futile act if we remain blind to their lessons. Only if these events teach us how to act differently - and more wisely - do such commemorations have any value, The Guardian reports.

Looking at Europe today, it is abundantly clear that history has not come to an end and that it remains tragic. Twenty years after the emancipation of half of the continent, a new wall is being built in Europe - this time across the sovereign territory of Georgia.

This presents a major challenge for the citizens, institutions and governments of Europe. Are we willing to accept that the borders of a small country can be unilaterally changed by force? Are we willing to tolerate the de facto annexation of foreign territories by a larger power?

In order for the forthcoming historic commemorations to be meaningful both for Europe's collective identity and for its future, we urge the EU's 27 democratic leaders to define a proactive strategy to help Georgia peacefully regain its territorial integrity and obtain the withdrawal of Russian forces illegally stationed on Georgian soil.

Nobody wants a confrontation with Moscow or a return to the hostile atmosphere of the cold war. But, equally, it is essential that the EU and its member states send a clear and unequivocal message to the current leadership in Russia.

As the commission set up by the European Union and headed by Heidi Tagliavini prepares to publish its report on the causes of the Russian-Georgian war, we call on all Europeans to remember the painful lessons of our recent past.

First, a big power will always find or engineer a pretext to invade a neighbour whose independence it resents. We should remember that Hitler accused the Poles of commencing hostilities in 1939, just as Stalin pinned the blame on the Finns when he invaded their country in 1940. Similarly, in the case of Georgia and Russia, the critical question is to determine which country invaded the other, rather than which soldier shot the first bullet.

Second, the failure of western democracies to respond to the dismemberment of a friendly nation, albeit a small one, can have very serious global consequences.

The European Union was built against the temptation of Munich and the iron curtain. It would be utterly disastrous if we were to appear in any way to condone the kind of practices that plunged our continent into war and division for most of the last century. At stake is nothing less than the fate of the project to which we continue to dedicate our lives: the peaceful and democratic reunification of the European continent.

This open letter is written by: Vaclav Havel, Valdas Adamkus, Mart Laar, Vytautas Landsbergis, Otto de Habsbourg, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, André Glucksmann, Mark Leonard, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Adam Michnik, Josep Ramoneda

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Baltic Sea Strategy: A success story of the original Lisbon Strategy? Tunne Kelam MEP

2009-09-16

Speaking today in plenary on the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region, the EPP Spokesman on the topic, Tunne Kelam MEP, congratulated the Swedish Presidency on its leadership in starting to implement the Baltic Sea Strategy.

"Since 2004, the Baltic Sea has become an internal sea of the EU. The Strategy reflects a fundamental change which took place in this region five years ago and this is the reason the EU needs a comprehensive approach to react in a coordinated way to both the opportunities and challenges this new situation presents", said Tunne Kelam MEP.

The EPP Member recalled that the goal of the Strategy initiators was to turn the Baltic Sea area into one of the most competitive and rapidly-developing regions of the EU. "If we take the maximum use of the opportunities the Baltic Sea Strategy offers, this region could become a success story of the Lisbon
Strategy", said Kelam.

"Just now, the region needs more than ever better access to and security of energy markets", he underlined. "The alternative channels of energy deliveries are needed, first and foremost creating a united energy system around the Baltic Sea. The issue of the bilateral and primarily political Nord Stream project should be settled through respecting rightful interests of all states around the sea and certainly not before the Russian Government joins the Espoo Convention", stressed Tunne Kelam MEP.

The third priority should be to make full use of the excellent educational and scientific potential of the region in advancing research and innovation, including the establishment of a high quality international Baltic region university.

Veskimägi: I can't see government's euro-plan

2009-09-07

Taavi Veskimägi, who's leaving the Parliament and Pro Patria Union (IRL) said that he doesn't see the government has a plan how to join euro, ERR News reports.

He expressed hope that the euro will come on January 1, 2011.

"I'd hope that it'll come. But it should be asked from the government and the PM," former Minister of Finance said.

He noted that how Estonia is coming out of the crisis is depending on the government. He emphasized that the government doesn't know how to adapt euro.

"I can't see a plan. But perhaps it happens," he said.

He noted that this year the government is missing EEK 1.5 bln of necessary EEK 4 bln cut and now the situation is serious.

"To cut EEK 1.5 bln of state expenditures in the last quarter is quite difficult without making wrong decisions," he said.

Veskimägi said that he doesn't have an idea what the next year's budget will be like despite the fact that there is 3 months to the end of this budget period and new budget must be passed to the government by October 1.

"I don't know what budget of 2010 will be like," Veskimägi said.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Taavi Veskimägi leaves party and politics

2009-09-04

Taavi Veskimägi, member of Parliament and Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) who has decided to leave politics, will become the new CEO of Elering, Eesti Energia's power-grid operator, ERR News reports.

Veskimägi said he has decided to leave already now to prepare for new job.

"I want my leaving from politics to be undobious and not leave some questions in the air. The reason for my leaving isn't in politics, but energetics," Veskimägi said.

He'll start new job from December 1, after current CEO's Lembit Vali's contract has ended. Peep Soone and Kalle Kilk continue in the management boards.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

IRL doesn’t endorse Kallas in Brussels

2009-09-02

Mart Laar, the chairperson of Pro Patria and Res Publica union (IRL) said yesterday he rather sees an apolitical person or social democrat as a proxy in Brussels, Eesti Päevaleht reports.

At the same time it's excluded that reform Party agrees, since Siim Kallas, current proxy is a member of Reform Party.

"Estonian proxy must be able to endeavour true portfolio or subject, which we currently don't have. Kallas is one of few who don't have a subject, but Estonia doesn't truly benefit from his position as an vice president of the European Commission. We want that to change," Laar said.

The council of IRL said that the proxy of education, science or telecommunications would fit Estonia's profile.

PM Andrus Ansip, heard of Laar's views from a journalist.

"I can't comment views I haven't heard from Laar," Ansip said and noted that in his opinion Kallas is the best candidate.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Baltic States commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Baltic Way

2009-08-21

Tunne Kelam (EE), Sandra Kalniete (LV), Vytautas Landsbergis (LT)

On 23 August Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Baltic Way. On that day in 1989 the people of the three occupied Baltic States joined hands in an unprecedented action - a 600 km-long human chain from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius - demanding recognition of secret clauses in the Hitler-Stalin pact of 1939 and the re-establishment of the independence of the Baltic States.

The leader of the Lithuanian independence movement, Sąjūdis Vytautas Landsbergis MEP (EPP), stated: "The Baltic Way, the magnificent event of 23 August 1989, was both a commemoration and a demonstration. Around two million people joined their hands in a live chain from Vilnius to Tallinn via Riga, commemorating the tens of millions of victims of the Stalin-Hitler conspiracy, which began the Second World War 50 years before. They also expressed their will for the war to end and demanded peace and freedom in the last captive Baltic nations: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. This came very soon. A way was opened for the others under Soviet captivity as well. No surprise, then, that the Berlin Wall crumbled."

Sandra Kalniete MEP (EPP), who was a deputy Chairwoman of the Latvian Popular Front, said: "The Baltic Way was a powerful demonstration of solidarity among European nations, a quality that is very much needed in these times of uncertainty and economic downturn. I hope that the lessons of 1989 will inspire Europeans to meet the challenges of 2009."

"The Baltic nations today call on all EU member states to assess and unequivocally condemn the morally and politically disastrous results of the 1939 Nazi-Soviet Pact. In light of the April 2009 European Parliament resolution on totalitarianism, we call on EU governments to mark August 23 every year officially as a day of remembrance for all victims of totalitarian regimes. The liberation of Soviet-occupied Estonia Latvia and Lithuania started on August 23, 1987 with the citizens' quest for the truth about the secret protocols of the Nazi-Soviet Pact. This truth should become the common legacy of all citizens of Europe . Only in this way can we prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future," concluded one of the leaders of the independence movement in Estonia, Tunne Kelam MEP (EPP).

The Baltic Way was a phenomenon that showed how three small countries, regardless of their unique national characters, created a cross-national spiritual synergy for a common goal - to overcome the consequences of World War II and to destroy totalitarian regimes. It resulted in the regained independence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in 1990-1991.

For further information:
Kaja Sorg, EPP Press Service, Tel: +32-476-541013
Girts Salmgriezis. EPP Press Service, Tel: +32-477-800343
Zivile Didzgalviene, EPP Press Service, Tel: +32-475-751627

Laar: CEE is thinking with its head

2009-08-14

Mart Laar, chairman of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) wrote in his blog that the open letter leaders of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) sent to the US President Barack Obama shows that CEE is still able to think with its own head, delfi.ee writes.

"When I was contacted some time ago to tell that Philip H. Gordon, who is visiting CEE wishes to meet me separately during his short visit to Tallinn, then I was glad. As seen, the letter CEE sent to President Obama has had some influence," Laar wrote.

It's no wonder since when such people like Vaclav Havel and Lech Valesa humiliate their people, it's not easy to pay no attention to it. This letter shows, among other things, that CEE is still able to think with its own head, in other words approve those steps which seem rational and right, and tell their opinion. Adding public diplomacy to official diplomacy is practical step at this point, Laar note.

The main subject of the meeting between Laar and Gordon was the very same letter.

"It was good to see that first it is taken seriously - the meeting was a good sign in itself. And although the conversation was, as diplomatic language says, "open," it was useful and interesting to hear US explanations of their plans. In the end we admitted that it was beneficial to both parties, just like the letter to Obama, Laar wrote.

Yesterday Eesti Ekspress published a blog entry by Jaan Kaplinski, a writer and member of Social Democratic Party, where he doesn't agree with the letter. Kaplinski said it's humiliating him as a citizen of open democratic country.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Parts: economic recovery is depending on three things

2009-08-12

Who knows if Estonian economy has bottomed since it's depending on three things and one of them is not depeding on us, Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications told aripaev.ee.

"Recovery and calming of foreign markets in the US and nearer regions is not depending on us. By the way, I gues you've noticed that more positive news come from US than from Finland," Parts said.

Other important things is how we can keep our country's monetary system reliable and in order.

"And the third thing is not measurable in numbers. It's activity. It seems to me that active entrepreneurs and complete society have started operating and seeking for new option. There are many adaption decisions made. True, time will tell if they're good enough," Parts said.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Leaders of CEE sent an open letter to Barack Obama

2009-07-16

We have written this letter because, as Central and Eastern European (CEE) intellectuals and former policymakers, we care deeply about the future of the transatlantic relationship as well as the future quality of relations between the United States and the countries of our region. We write in our personal capacity as individuals who are friends and allies of the United States as well as committed Europeans, says the letter to US President Barack Obama, which has been signed by more than 20 CEE opinion leaders and politicians, including Mart Laar (chairman of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union) and Kadri Liik (the director of International Centre for Defence Studies).

Our nations are deeply indebted to the United States. Many of us know firsthand how important your support for our freedom and independence was during the dark Cold War years. U.S. engagement and support was essential for the success of our democratic transitions after the Iron Curtain fell twenty years ago. Without Washington's vision and leadership, it is doubtful that we would be in NATO and even the EU today.

We have worked to reciprocate and make this relationship a two-way street. We are Atlanticist voices within NATO and the EU. Our nations have been engaged alongside the United States in the Balkans, Iraq, and today in Afghanistan. While our contribution may at times seem modest compared to your own, it is significant when measured as a percentage of our population and GDP. Having benefited from your support for liberal democracy and liberal values in the past, we have been among your strongest supporters when it comes to promoting democracy and human rights around the world.

Twenty years after the end of the Cold War, however, we see that Central and Eastern European countries are no longer at the heart of American foreign policy. As the new Obama Administration sets its foreign-policy priorities, our region is one part of the world that Americans have largely stopped worrying about. Indeed, at times we have the impression that U.S. policy was so successful that many American officials have now concluded that our region is fixed once and for all and that they could "check the box" and move on to other more pressing strategic issues. Relations have been so close that many on both sides assume that the region's transatlantic orientation, as well as its stability and prosperity, would last forever.

That view is premature. All is not well either in our region or in the transatlantic relationship. Central and Eastern Europe is at a political crossroads and today there is a growing sense of nervousness in the region. The global economic crisis is impacting on our region and, as elsewhere, runs the risk that our societies will look inward and be less engaged with the outside world. At the same time, storm clouds are starting to gather on the foreign policy horizon. Like you, we await the results of the EU Commission's investigation on the origins of the Russo-Georgian war. But the political impact of that war on the region has already been felt. Many countries were deeply disturbed to see the Atlantic alliance stand by as Russia violated the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris, and the territorial integrity of a country that was a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and the Euroatlantic Partnership Council -all in the name of defending a sphere of influence on its borders.

Despite the efforts and significant contribution of the new members, NATO today seems weaker than when we joined. In many of our countries it is perceived as less and less relevant - and we feel it. Although we are full members, people question whether NATO would be willing and able to come to our defense in some future crises. Europe's dependence on Russian energy also creates concern about the cohesion of the Alliance. President Obama's remark at the recent NATO summit on the need to provide credible defense plans for all Alliance members was welcome, but not sufficient to allay fears about the Alliance´s defense readiness. Our ability to continue to sustain public support at home for our contributions to Alliance missions abroad also depends on us being able to show that our own security concerns are being addressed in NATO and close cooperation with the United States

We must also recognize that America's popularity and influence have fallen in many of our countries as well. Public opinions polls, including the German Marshall Fund's own Transatlantic Trends survey, show that our region has not been immune to the wave of criticism and anti-Americanism that has swept Europe in recent years and which led to a collapse in sympathy and support for the United States during the Bush years. Some leaders in the region have paid a political price for their support of the unpopular war in Iraq. In the future they may be more careful in taking political risks to support the United States. We believe that the onset of a new Administration has created a new opening to reverse this trend but it will take time and work on both sides to make up for what we have lost.

In many ways the EU has become the major factor and institution in our lives. To many people it seems more relevant and important today than the link to the United States. To some degree it is a logical outcome of the integration of Central and Eastern Europe into the EU. Our leaders and officials spend much more time in EU meetings than in consultations with Washington, where they often struggle to attract attention or make our voices heard. The region's deeper integration in the EU is of course welcome and should not necessarily lead to a weakening of the transatlantic relationship. The hope was that integration of Central and Eastern Europe into the EU would actually strengthen the strategic cooperation between Europe and America.

However, there is a danger that instead of being a pro-Atlantic voice in the EU, support for a more global partnership with Washington in the region might wane over time. The region does not have the tradition of assuming a more global role. Some items on the transatlantic agenda, such as climate change, do not resonate in the Central and Eastern European publics to the same extent as they do in Western Europe.

Leadership change is also coming in Central and Eastern Europe. Next to those, there are fewer and fewer leaders who emerged from the revolutions of 1989 who experienced Washington's key role in securing our democratic transition and anchoring our countries in NATO and EU. A new generation of leaders is emerging who do not have these memories and follow a more "realistic" policy. At the same time, the former Communist elites, whose insistence on political and economic power significantly contributed to the crises in many CEE countries, gradually disappear from the political scene. The current political and economic turmoil and the fallout from the global economic crisis provide additional opportunities for the forces of nationalism, extremism, populism, and anti-Semitism across the continent but also in some our countries.

This means that the United States is likely to lose many of its traditional interlocutors in the region. The new elites replacing them may not share the idealism - or have the same relationship to the United States - as the generation who led the democratic transition. They may be more calculating in their support of the United States as well as more parochial in their world view. And in Washington a similar transition is taking place as many of the leaders and personalities we have worked with and relied on are also leaving politics.

And then there is the issue of how to deal with Russia. Our hopes that relations with Russia would improve and that Moscow would finally fully accept our complete sovereignty and independence after joining NATO and the EU have not been fulfilled. Instead, Russia is back as a revisionist power pursuing a 19th-century agenda with 21st-century tactics and methods. At a global level, Russia has become, on most issues, a status-quo power. But at a regional level and vis-à-vis our nations, it increasingly acts as a revisionist one. It challenges our claims to our own historical experiences. It asserts a privileged position in determining our security choices. It uses overt and covert means of economic warfare, ranging from energy blockades and politically motivated investments to bribery and media manipulation in order to advance its interests and to challenge the transatlantic orientation of Central and Eastern Europe.

We welcome the "reset" of the American-Russian relations. As the countries living closest to Russia, obviously nobody has a greater interest in the development of the democracy in Russia and better relations between Moscow and the West than we do. But there is also nervousness in our capitals. We want to ensure that too narrow an understanding of Western interests does not lead to the wrong concessions to Russia. Today the concern is, for example, that the United States and the major European powers might embrace the Medvedev plan for a "Concert of Powers" to replace the continent's existing, value-based security structure. The danger is that Russia's creeping intimidation and influence-peddling in the region could over time lead to a de facto neutralization of the region. There are differing views within the region when it comes to Moscow's new policies. But there is a shared view that the full engagement of the United States is needed.

Many in the region are looking with hope to the Obama Administration to restore the Atlantic relationship as a moral compass for their domestic as well as foreign policies. A strong commitment to common liberal democratic values is essential to our countries. We know from our own historical experience the difference between when the United States stood up for its liberal democratic values and when it did not. Our region suffered when the United States succumbed to "realism" at Yalta. And it benefited when the United States used its power to fight for principle. That was critical during the Cold War and in opening the doors of NATO. Had a "realist" view prevailed in the early 1990s, we would not be in NATO today and the idea of a Europe whole, free, and at peace would be a distant dream.

We understand the heavy demands on your Administration and on U.S. foreign policy. It is not our intent to add to the list of problems you face. Rather, we want to help by being strong Atlanticist allies in a U.S.-European partnership that is a powerful force for good around the world. But we are not certain where our region will be in five or ten years time given the domestic and foreign policy uncertainties we face. We need to take the right steps now to ensure the strong relationship between the United States and Central and Eastern Europe over the past twenty years will endure.

We believe this is a time both the United States and Europe need to reinvest in the transatlantic relationship. We also believe this is a time when the United States and Central and Eastern Europe must reconnect around a new and forward-looking agenda. While recognizing what has been achieved in the twenty years since the fall of the Iron Curtain, it is time to set a new agenda for close cooperation for the next twenty years across the Atlantic.

Therefore, we propose the following steps:

First, we are convinced that America needs Europe and that Europe needs the United States as much today as in the past. The United States should reaffirm its vocation as a European power and make clear that it plans to stay fully engaged on the continent even while it faces the pressing challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the wider Middle East, and Asia. For our part we must work at home in our own countries and in Europe more generally to convince our leaders and societies to adopt a more global perspective and be prepared to shoulder more responsibility in partnership with the United States.

Second, we need a renaissance of NATO as the most important security link between the United States and Europe. It is the only credible hard power security guarantee we have. NATO must reconfirm its core function of collective defense even while we adapt to the new threats of the 21st century. A key factor in our ability to participate in NATO's expeditionary missions overseas is the belief that we are secure at home. We must therefore correct some self-inflicted wounds from the past. It was a mistake not to commence with proper Article 5 defense planning for new members after NATO was enlarged. NATO needs to make the Alliance's commitments credible and provide strategic reassurance to all members. This should include contingency planning, prepositioning of forces, equipment, and supplies for reinforcement in our region in case of crisis as originally envisioned in the NATO-Russia Founding Act.

We should also re-think the working of the NATO-Russia Council and return to the practice where NATO member countries enter into dialogue with Moscow with a coordinated position. When it comes to Russia, our experience has been that a more determined and principled policy toward Moscow will not only strengthen the West's security but will ultimately lead Moscow to follow a more cooperative policy as well. Furthermore, the more secure we feel inside NATO, the easier it will also be for our countries to reach out to engage Moscow on issues of common interest. That is the dual track approach we need and which should be reflected in the new NATO strategic concept.

Third, the thorniest issue may well be America's planned missile-defense installations. Here too, there are different views in the region, including among our publics which are divided. Regardless of the military merits of this scheme and what Washington eventually decides to do, the issue has nevertheless also become -- at least in some countries -- a symbol of America's credibility and commitment to the region. How it is handled could have a significant impact on their future transatlantic orientation. The small number of missiles involved cannot be a threat to Russia's strategic capabilities, and the Kremlin knows this. We should decide the future of the program as allies and based on the strategic plusses and minuses of the different technical and political configurations. The Alliance should not allow the issue to be determined by unfounded Russian opposition. Abandoning the program entirely or involving Russia too deeply in it without consulting Poland or the Czech Republic can undermine the credibility of the United States across the whole region.

Fourth, we know that NATO alone is not enough. We also want and need more Europe and a better and more strategic U.S.-EU relationship as well. Increasingly our foreign policies are carried out through the European Union - and we support that. We also want a common European foreign and defense policy that is open to close cooperation with the United States. We are the advocates of such a line in the EU. But we need the United States to rethink its attitude toward the EU and engage it much more seriously as a strategic partner. We need to bring NATO and the EU closer together and make them work in tandem. We need common NATO and EU strategies not only toward Russia but on a range of other new strategic challenges.

Fifth is energy security. The threat to energy supplies can exert an immediate influence on our nations' political sovereignty also as allies contributing to common decisions in NATO. That is why it must also become a transatlantic priority. Although most of the responsibility for energy security lies within the realm of the EU, the United States also has a role to play. Absent American support, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline would never have been built. Energy security must become an integral part of U.S.-European strategic cooperation. Central and Eastern European countries should lobby harder (and with more unity) inside Europe for diversification of the energy mix, suppliers, and transit routes, as well as for tough legal scrutiny of Russia's abuse of its monopoly and cartel-like power inside the EU. But American political support on this will play a crucial role. Similarly, the United States can play an important role in solidifying further its support for the Nabucco pipeline, particularly in using its security relationship with the main transit country, Turkey, as well as the North-South interconnector of Central Europe and LNG terminals in our region.

Sixth, we must not neglect the human factor. Our next generations need to get to know each other, too. We have to cherish and protect the multitude of educational, professional, and other networks and friendships that underpin our friendship and alliance. The U.S. visa regime remains an obstacle in this regard. It is absurd that Poland and Romania -- arguably the two biggest and most pro-American states in the CEE region, which are making substantial contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan -- have not yet been brought into the visa waiver program. It is incomprehensible that a critic like the French anti-globalization activist Jose Bove does not require a visa for the United States but former Solidarity activist and Nobel Peace prizewinner Lech Walesa does. This issue will be resolved only if it is made a political priority by the President of the United States.

The steps we made together since 1989 are not minor in history. The common successes are the proper foundation for the transatlantic renaissance we need today. This is why we believe that we should also consider the creation of a Legacy Fellowship for young leaders. Twenty years have passed since the revolutions of 1989. That is a whole generation. We need a new generation to renew the transatlantic partnership. A new program should be launched to identify those young leaders on both sides of the Atlantic who can carry forward the transatlantic project we have spent the last two decades building in Central and Eastern Europe.

In conclusion, the onset of a new Administration in the United States has raised great hopes in our countries for a transatlantic renewal. It is an opportunity we dare not miss. We, the authors of this letter, know firsthand how important the relationship with the United States has been. In the 1990s, a large part of getting Europe right was about getting Central and Eastern Europe right. The engagement of the United States was critical to locking in peace and stability from the Baltics to the Black Sea. Today the goal must be to keep Central and Eastern Europe right as a stable, activist, and Atlanticist part of our broader community.

That is the key to our success in bringing about the renaissance in the Alliance the Obama Administration has committed itself to work for and which we support. That will require both sides recommitting to and investing in this relationship. But if we do it right, the pay off down the road can be very real. By taking the right steps now, we can put it on new and solid footing for the future.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Minister to make border queues for trucks priced

2009-06-29

Last week Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications introduces an idea at the government, according to which long queues in the border points would be replaced with paid booking, E24.ee reports.

Rasmus Ruuda, the PR-advisor at the Ministry said that first border point to get such an order would be Luhamaa. Things will change as soon as the parking lot will be ready-

"New order means that carrier may book border-crossing time before, cross it on agreed time and save time and money," Ruuda said.

Next it will be in Narva border point, but that assumes that a parking lot will be ready in Sillamäe. The parking lot will be built by the state and Port of Sillamäe.

The parking lots will be managed by a private company, but state supports construction process. Booking a border-crossing time is charged for the company.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Veskimägi: The government is not cutting the budget, but thinking of new incomes

2009-06-01

Currently the government is not cutting the budget, but is thinking of ways to get new incomes, Taavi Veskimägi, the former Minister of Finance told ERR News.

"Estonia should cut about EEK 7.5-8 bln in addition for first, EEK 6.8 bln budget cut, to meet Maastricht budget deficit criterion. And I emphasize, to cut, for what government does today is not cutting, but thinking of ways to get new income," Veskimägi said.

He said that there can't be a single area left out when discussing budget cutting options.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Mart Laar’s chances to become the new PM are improving

2009-05-22

IRL chairman Mart Laar who has already been the PM twice could be heading for the job again, writes Äripäev.

The statement made by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves yesterday in which he said that after accepting to recall three cabinet ministers of Social Democrats, he would like to see a new government and a new PM.

This shows that there is no quick fix for the government crisis and with all likelihood current PM Andrus Ansip must make way for a new head of government.

The worst case scenario is that the Reform Party will go into opposition after 10 years on power. If this happens, they should blame only themselves for it.

In the opinion of Äripäev, the best positioned for becoming the next prime minister is Mart Laar, chairman of IRL.

IRL may get new energy from President's statement and look for new partners. In effect, the end result now depends on IRL and Centre Party.

It may well be that the President spoiled the clever scheme of the Reform Party that hoped to quietly replace Social Democrats with People's Union in the three-party coalition. This has given IRL the opportunity to say that even the President wants to see a new head of government.

The big question now is whether IRL is interested and motivated enough to take the leadership in these tough times.

To have a majority government, IRL needs either Reform Party or Centre Party. The big question is whether IRL is ready to team up with Centre Party and its leader Edgar Savisaar. If Centre Party wishes to add more partners there are Social Democrats and People's Union.

Source: www.balticbusinessnews.com

Parts: investments are necessary

2009-05-08

Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts said that investments into Estonia are necessary at the moment, as a rebuttal the news that the Finnish energy company Vapo might choose Estonia as a location for building a big biodiesel plant, aripaev.ee writes.

At the same time Parts admitted that he heard about Vapo's plan for the first time. "Nobody has contacted the ministry directly," he said.

Parts assured that the ministry is trying to encourage such foreign investments. "If they needed any kind of support then there are things that the government can offer from our side," said Parts and admitted that countries investing into neighboring countries don't often need help.

Parts added that since he's going to be at the annual Estonia day in Helsinki tomorrow then he might get a chance to enquire about Vapo's plans. "I'm going to have several work-related meetings in Helsinki and I'm also participating at a conference that deals with the economic situation both here and over the Finnish Gulf," said Parts.

Kauppalehti wrote that Vapo is planning to build a 500 billion kroons biodiesel plant and that one of the location under consideration is Estonia.

Sirley Salk
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Laar: by supporting entrepreneurship we’ll keep jobs

2009-05-07

The leader of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Mart Laar said today during a parliament session while the draft bill for changing the law concerning the support for entrepreneurs and the government being the guarantor for loans , that by supporting entrepreneurship and keeping jobs enables us to come out of the crisis and not forcing new payments on entrepreneurs, postimees.ee writes.

"I'm glad to say that the other side of the packet of livening the economy that has been discussed for a while now, has reached the final stretch in the government-after violent but constructive arguments it is agreed that it will be accepted in the near future," said Laar.

He expressed his happiness for the government being able to continually make the right decisions in hard times.

According to Laar, facing a global financial crisis, growing unemployment and the difficult situation families are in, creates a possibility for the economy and entrepreneurship to renew.
“For that to happen, Estonia must find the inner strength and determination to balance the state budget and to support entrepreneurship,” he said.

Sirley Salk
www.balticbusinessnews.com

EPP-ED Presidency, Tallinn: Security and Solidarity key messages for Estonia and the Baltic Region

2009-04-17

"The security of our citizens and solidarity, especially in this time of financial crises, must remain our core objectives", declared Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, at the concluding press conference of the EPP-ED Group Presidency and Heads of National Delegations meeting in Tallinn this morning. "Europe showed its practical support during the cyber attacks in April 2007 on Estonia, which was a real attack aimed at damaging Estonia and its economy, and Europe will continue to support its Member States against any such attacks in the future", declared Chairman Daul.

Joseph Daul congratulated the Estonian Government Ministers present at the meeting on their decision to continue on the road to join the Eurozone. This decision is certainly in the best interests of the Estonian people and the government must be congratulated for its courage to continue on this road despite the current unprecedented financial crisis.

In his remarks, Tunne Kelam MEP said that the main conclusion of the debates was that the success of the Baltic Sea Strategy needs the active participation of Germany and Poland. "I would like to also stress my support for the idea of creating a world class Baltic region university. As for relations with Russia, the EU should become more aware of its own potential and values. The problem lies not in Russia. The problem to be solved is to agree on a united EU policy towards Russia, which should insist on Russia fully meeting its international commitments and turning more attention to contacts with Russian civil society".

Click here to read the conclusions of the meeting.

Robert Fitzhenry, Head of the EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-475-493356

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.

EPP-ED Presidency, Tallinn: EU-Russia relations - ''We must be firm but open''

2009-04-16

Opening the session of the EPP-ED Presidency meeting in Tallinn on EU-Russia relations, Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, said that relations with Russia need to be both firm and open. He said that Russia had changed much since the days of the Soviet Union preferring soft power to hard power. However, Russia was still prepared to use hard power as demonstrated in Georgia last August.

The Director of the Baltic Centre for Russian Studies, Vladimir Jushkin, outlined the substantial influence of the Russian Secret Service in the government of Russia. Former Secret Service agents are present and active in the major power centres in Moscow. Some analyists claim that the current leadership will be in power in Moscow until 2024. He also dealt with the problem of Russian immigration - about 100,000 Russians, mostly highly-educated, are leaving every year and the Russian populations in the Baltics, for example, are not returning to Russia despite the pleas of the Russian leadership. They feel that their civil and human rights are better protected in Estonia and in other EU countries than in Russia itself. In conclusion, he said that many Russians shared our European values and we must encourage them to promote these values.

Mart Helme, Former Estonian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, said that Russia treats the EU as a minor partner and tries to deal with the individual states rather than the EU as such. Russia sees itself as being different and wants to be treated differently. The EU response must be to have a common Russian policy - a full European Foreign Policy is not possible unless we have a clear and common approach to Russia and strengthen the Euro-Atlantic relationship. We must stop making exceptions for Russia and make sure that it fulfills its international obligations.

Mr Helme considered that the current financial crisis presents Russia with a great problem and that there are also huge demographic and infrastructure problems. Whilst the EU must be ready to cooperate and help Russia, we cannot be dominated by Russia and allow them to set the agenda. We must use the experiences of Russia's near neighbours including Estonia, Poland and others to guide us in the development of a common policy towards Russia.

Chairman of the EU Affairs Committee in the Estonian Parliament, Marko Mihkelson, said that relations over the last 20 years with Russia had not been easy. However, five years of EU Membership has improved the confidence of Estonia and the aim now is to create normal relations with all neighbours including Russia. We must at all times seek a relationship based on trust and mutal interest. We must develop this relationship based on full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law - our values. He concluded that Europe must be united and consistent in its policy towards Russia.

Following a lively debate, Jacek Saryusz Wolski MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament, summed up the debate by saying that we need a pro-Russian policy, pro the Russia of Sakharov and Politkovskaya. He too felt that the European Union has to succeed in its Russian policy which he described as a keystone of European Foreign Policy. A great number of Russians share our values and belong to our civilisation and therefore we need a policy that is both realistic, compassionate and long term. Saryusz-Wolski reminded his audience that we must engage with the democratic and civil society. The Solidarity Movement in Poland was started by only 17 people but turned into a movement of 10 million people and changed Poland forever. He called on the EPP political family to be at the forefront of Russian policy and not leave this key responsibility in the hands of the Left.

For further information:
Robert Fitzhenry, Head of the EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-475-493356

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.

EPP-ED Presidency, Tallinn: Security, EU-Russia, Baltic Sea Strategy, Cyber Defence on the agenda

2009-04-16

The meeting of the EPP-ED Presidency and Heads of National Delegations opened this morning in Tallinn with welcome messages from Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Tunne Kelam MEP, Head of the Estonian Delegation, and Mart Laar, Chairman of the Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit (IRL) Party and former Prime Minister of Estonia.

Joseph Daul said it was symbolic that this meeting was taking place 5 years almost to the day of Estonian accession to the European Union and 60 years after the deportation to Siberia of some 100,000 Estonian and other Baltic country citizens. Referring to the current economic crisis, he said that Europe must protect without becoming protectionist and we must promote the social market economy to bring Europe through this crisis.

Tunne Kelam MEP welcomed the EPP-ED Members to Tallinn and recalled the spirit of solidarity that the EPP-ED political family has always shown towards Estonia; he referred in particular to the support of the EPP-ED two years ago during the foreign-inspired riots in Estonia and more recently when the EPP-ED successfully promoted a Resolution, adopted by the European Parliament, on the crimes of criminal dictatorships. Concluding his remarks, Mr Kelam said that in all areas of policy - security, economic and social - the EPP-ED was best equipped to lead Europe out of the economic crisis.

Mart Laar, Chairman of the IRL, welcomed the Members of the European Parliament and said that the continuing solidarity of Europe's largest political family was much appreciated in Estonia. Looking back, he said that the EPP-ED Group was almost the only political group to defend human rights and democracy and work for the reunification of Europe. Without this support, EU enlargement could not have taken place so quickly and successfully. The EPP-ED has shown its solidarity in real concrete acts over the years. "The EPP-ED is still the driving force of Europe", he concluded.

The meeting continues in Tallinn with debates on Europe's external borders and relations with Russia today and sessions on the Baltic Sea Strategy and Internet Security on Friday.

For further information:
Robert Fitzhenry, Head of the EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-475-493356

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.

EPP-ED Presidency meets in Tallinn

2009-04-15

The EPP-ED Group Presidency and Heads of National Delegations will meet in Tallinn, Estonia, from 16-17 April 2009 on the invitation of Tunne Kelam MEP, Head of the Estonian Delegation of the EPP-ED Group. The main debates will focus on the security of citizens; the EU's external borders, EU-Russia relations, the Baltic Sea Strategy and cyber defence.

The Presidency, including the Group Chairman Joseph Daul, and the Heads of National Delegations will be addressed by the former Prime Minister and current Chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union, Mart Laar. The debate on Thursday will focus on EU-Russia relations.

The first debate on Friday will discuss the perspectives of the Baltic Sea Strategy which is of the utmost importance for the region's development. The Baltic Sea Strategy will also be one of the priorities under the Swedish Presidency. The Estonian Minister for Economic Affairs and Communications, Juhan Parts, will be among the key speakers on this panel.

The second panel on Friday focuses on cyber defence. Estonia, as one of the leading Internet countries in Europe, was heavily hit by the massive cyber attacks two years ago. Estonian Minister for Defence, Jaak Aaviksoo, is among the key speakers on the issue.

The meeting will be open to the media. Journalist accreditation will take place from 08.30 hrs on Thursday morning (16 April) at the entry of the Swissotel (Tornimae 3, Tallinn).

For further information:
Joseph Daul MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847525
Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290
Kaja Sorg, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +372-533-08148; +32-475-6541013

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.

Juhan Parts: single stock exchange for Baltic States

2009-04-08

During the Estonian-Latvian enterprise forum held by the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minister of Economics Juhan Parts suggested that the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian stock markets could join in order to generate liquidity, postimees.ee writes.

Parts said that the price of shares in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius’s stock markets have decreased 70 pct from the start of last year because the markets aren’t liquid due to their small size.

This is why something should be done to enhance the liquidity and to preserve the businesses’ interest in keeping their shares on the stock exchange and in adding extra capital into fighting against share emission.

Parts suggested that maybe considering joining the three exchanges would be a valuable idea.

Sirley Salk
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Laar: we’re unable to fulfill the duties we took on when times were better

2009-04-08

The leader of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Mart Laar said that the government isn't able to fulfill the duties they took on when things were better, postimees.ee writes.
"We preferred economic growth over Euroization. So, we decided to take on tremendous duties which we now can't fulfill, and because of that we decided that reforms to modernize Estonia overall have no point as they will be unpopular," said Laar.

He added that in order to get out of the current situation we will have to start using the Euro as well. "It wouldn't save anything but it is quite an important for us to be able to restore the trust," he said. However, the politician noted that for Euroization we would have to cut down some of the duties the government has taken on.

Laar continued that it is vitally important to stick to the 3 pct deficit of the budget. "It would take one single moment for it to cross the 3 pct line," he noted and added that in that case we can say "bye-bye" to the Euro.

Laar said that at the moment we need to make the right and necessary decisions before it's too late. It's taking quick actions in a crisis that gets you out of it.

Sirley Salk
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Crimes of Communism and Totalitarianism condemned - victims to be remembered.

2009-04-02

The European Parliament has proposed August 23 as a common remembrance day of the victims of totalitarian regimes in a Resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism which was adopted today by a very large majority. The Resolution, which was originally initiated by EPP-ED Members Jana Hybáškova (Czech Republic ), Tunne Kelam (Estonia ) and József Szájer (Hungary ), is an historical breakthrough. Following the plenary debate on 25 March 2009, the adoption of this Resolution is the first formal and full acknowledgement of the evils of communism by the European Parliament.

The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP, recalled: "2009 is a deeply symbolic year, since we celebrate both the 60th anniversary of the creation of NATO and the beginnings of the cold war, and the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which ended it. This is why we have proposed to launch a Europe-wide day of remembrance which will help Europe reconcile its totalitarian legacy, both from the Nazis and the Communists. I am disappointed though that the Socialists, because of the un-reconstructed Left, seem to be opposed to such a declaration. If we do not understand our past, we run the risk of repeating it in the future", said Joseph Daul.

"Europe will not be united if it will not learn about and from the crimes against humanity and horrors of the past, and if it doesn't recognise the common history. These horrors have to be studied and acknowledged. This is why we ask the Council and the Commission to mark August 23, the anniversary of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, as a European Day of Remembrance of the victims of Nazism and Communism and to contribute financially and politically to the establishment of a Platform of European Memory and Conscience", declared Jana Hybášková MEP, one of initiators of the Prague Declaration on European Conscience and communism.

József Szájer MEP emphasised that there are two standards in this question: human dignity and unquestionable respect of life based on the Christian tradition and universal human rights which originated at the time of the Enlightenment. József Szájer MEP condemned the practice of estimating which inhuman dictatorships killed, or humiliated more people.

Estonian MEP Tunne Kelam, one of the authors of the Resolution, concluded that in parallel to economic and political enlargement, Europe needs enlargement of its consciousness of the terrible crimes that were committed by totalitarian regimes of the 20th century. Our ultimate goal is reconciliation which can be achieved by admitting responsibility, asking for forgiveness and fostering moral renewal, Kelam concluded. Kelam was especially satisfied that the EPP-ED Group showed genuine European solidarity. "It is important and symbolic that among the co-initiators of this Resolution there were not only MEPs from Eastern Europe, but also German, British, Swedish Members of the EPP-ED Group Presidency, two EP Vice-Presidents from Spain and Italy and also MEPs from France and Germany ", Kelam said.

"The European Union was forged out of the horrors of the Second World War and is the most successful reconciliation project in history. We are now a Union of twenty-seven Member States and in order for this project to continue being a success; we have to understand each other's pasts. I am very glad that the Czech Presidency, both in this case and in other initiatives, such as its international conference in June on Holocaust era assets, has shown a willingness to confront the darkest chapters of our common history", concluded Joseph Daul MEP.

Press release:
26/03/2009 Europe needs an integrated perception of its common history. Tunne Kelam MEP

Written record of the debate on European Conscience which took place on 25 March 2009 in the European Parliament

IRL made a plan to create 20,000 new jobs

2009-03-30

Pro Patria and Res Publica Union's new work plan sees establishing 20,000 new investments by bringing foreign investments to Estonia, Postimees reports.

For that the IRL wants to reduce tax loan on companies and lose specific benefit tax on health care costs by July 1 this year.

In addition they aim to start a project to help apartment houses become more energy saving by making the loan cheaper. The program wouldn't only give saving in energy consumption, but to give work to builders and construction material producers.

The party wants to bring more investments to the economy and decrease the banks' obligatory reserve to 12 pct in case they spend free money to borrow it to Estonian companies.

50 pct more investments from 2 pension pillar should be directed to Estonia. So in 2009 there would be new broad-band strategy which should make our companies more competitive and the party also supports establishing international IT-academy to Estonia.

Tax-free limit should be lowered to support tourism and trading.

There should also be a program to improve competitiveness of Estonian maritime and guarantee local municipalities a change to co-finance EU funds. That is why the tax burden to local municipalities cannot be lowered anymore.

The party aims to lower bureaucratic regulation of selling self-produced goods and make establishing company cheaper and getting starting capital easier.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Europe needs an integrated perception of its common history. Tunne Kelam MEP

2009-03-27

The first debate on the topic 'European conscience and totalitarianism' took place during the plenary session of the European Parliament this week.

The debate, as well as a Draft Resolution, was initiated by Members of the EPP-ED Group Jana Hybáškova, Tunne Kelam and József Szájer.

Estonian MEP Tunne Kelam concluded that in parallel to economic and political enlargement, Europe needs enlargement of its conscience and awareness of the terrible crimes that were committed by totalitarian regimes of the 20th century.

"In order to complete the building of our common European house, we need to create a balanced and integrated perception of our history", said Kelam. "Only overcoming regional thinking, ignorance and different prejudices will lead to an all-European understanding that all historic events, tragedies and crimes are part of our common European heritage for which we as EU citizens bear responsibility".

In Kelam's words, such an understanding which includes an enhanced reciprocal interest, awareness and empathy towards all member nations and their destinies will constitute a guarantee that horrible crimes of the totalitarian regimes will never be repeated.

The EPP-ED initiators of the debate asked the Council and the Commission to mark August 23 as a European Day of Remembrance of the victims of Nazism and Communism and to contribute financially and politically to the establishment of a Platform of European Memory and Conscience.

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra expressed his conviction that the regimes of Hitler and Stalin were essentially similar. He declared that the Czech Presidency will lead the way in starting to mark August 23 as a common remembrance day.

Tunne Kelam expressed his regret that some socialist leaders opposed the idea in principle of a parliamentary Resolution on totalitarianism. All other political groups agreed on Wednesday evening on a joint Draft Resolution which will go to the vote on April 2.

In the words of the EPP-ED Group Member from Hungary, György Schöpflin, "Without a thorough scrutiny of its past, the left in some post-Communist countries compels itself to live with a false past, screening out all painful events. As the Western left seems to fully accept this unreconstructed post-communist left, it too finds itself obliged to defend an indefensible past".

Estonia still interested in participating in Ignalina nuclear plant project

2009-03-17

Estonia is still interested in participating Lithuanian Ignalina nuclear plant project, Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications said after the meeting with new Lithuanian government, Postimees writes.
The press has written that recently Lithuania made a contract with Russia to buy electricity for ten years. And it's known that Russia plans to establish a nuclear plant in Kaliningrad. Two big nuclear plants so close to each other would be a questionable solution.

Parts said that Lithuanian government hasn't made any agreement with Russia, but one private company did.

The Minister said that he can confirm: Lithuanian government is not interested in participating in Kaliningrad nuclear plant project.

"I'm perplexed, how Russia can talk seriously about that project without its closest neighbour, Lithuania," Parts said.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Estonian Minister: There is no need for my post

2009-03-04

The law of administrative reform sees that county governors will be abolished from next year and the post of the Regional Minister from 2011, Eesti Päevaleht writes.

The Minister, Siim-Valmar Kiisler explained that if the state was able to make that administrative reform, there would be no direct need for a post of the Regional Minister.

"If there has been an administrative reform at the level of local municipalities and the county governments have been reorganized according to new needs, the next step will certainly be amendments at the government level," Kiisler said.

He had offered three-step administrative reform. Local municipalities should merge into 20 municipalities and in the middle of October will be elections of councils, according to the new borders.

The next step would be abolishing county governments. Bigger part of their tasks and finances would go to local municipalities from next year.

Third phase would be abolishing the post of the Regional Minister after the Parliament elections in 2011.

Kiisler said it doesn't mean that all county governments would end their activities.

"Development functions could and should be given to local municipalities, but one can't delegate supervisory functions," the Minister noted.

Therefore there would be four county governments, one in each region - East, West, South and North.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

MPs from IRL to pay their wage growth back to the state budget

2009-02-26

Mart Laar, the chairperson of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union said they'll pay the salary growth back to the state budget, ERR News writes.

“The members of our fraction have decided to pay their salary growth, depending on how big it is, back to the state budget and I think this is a decision which is our moral obligation at the moment,” Laar said.

Other parties didn't come along with the idea.

MPs earn four median salaries and since Estonian median salary rose by EEK 847 in the Q4 and therefore MPs’ salary increase was EEK 3388.

The chairpersons of commissions and fractions earn five median salaries and their income increased by EEK 4235.

Deputy chairpersons earn 4.5 median salaries, which means their income increased by EEK 3811.

The chairperson of the Parliament earns six median salaries, which means EEK 5082 salary increase.

Today the reimbursement of expenses was cut by 2/3.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Estonian mission ends in Iraq

2009-02-11

BY SPC ERIC J. GLASSEY
13TH PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DETACHMENT

After almost six years of successful combat operations in Iraq, Estonia's troops concluded their tour with coalition forces and transitioned to the NATO training mission in Iraq. Multi-National Corps-Iraq held an end-of-mission ceremony for Estonia on Camp Victory Feb. 7.

Estonian troops performed many security operations to help provide the people of Iraq with a safe and secure environment.

"Since 2003, they have been involved in 350 operations and 2,300 patrols," said Maj. Gen. Paul Lefebvre, deputy commanding general, Multi-National Corps-Iraq. "This diligence resulted in the discovery of several hundred caches and the confiscation of over 1,000 small arms and rocket propelled grenades, and more than three tons of pure explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition."

Iraq's defense minister also was on hand to recognize Estonia's contribution to peace and stability in the nation.

"We recognize and honor what you gave Iraq," said Minister Abdul Qader Mohammad Jassim. "Last elections, there were 300 attacks with 150 of those being effective. This election, there were only 11 and of those only two were effective. We will always remember the sacrifices the Estonians made for us."

The Estonian minister of defense, Jaak Aaviksoo, said his country's support of freedom would continue.

"International support is of fundamental importance," Aaviksoo said. "What is equally important is that we continue to cooperate despite that our mission with Multi-National Force is over."

Estonia will continue providing officers for the NATO training mission in Iraq. The nation also has forces in southern Afghanistan.

Read the Pdf »

Source: Victory Times

Laar: we’ve survived crises before

2009-02-10

Chariman of Pro Patri and Res Publica Union Mart Laar reminded that there have been at least two crises as tough as the current one and Estonia overcame both of them, postimees.ee writes.

Laar said in "Terevisoon" that most of the budget cuts were looked through and the missing amount of money isn't that substantial anymore, uudised.err.ee writes.

The way how the ministries' pays and economic expenses are cut have been determined alongside with all the protests and wishes that will be discussed soon.

According to Laar, the pay for teachers and police officers isn't just one party's problem and in that sense we can't talk about a fight.

" We can't have one party fighting for the police officers pay and another one for the pay for teachers," said Laar. "I don't believe there is a single party in the government who would oppose either one of them. We just need to find a solution that would cover as many problems as possible and would also be less harmful for Estonian concerns, because the aim of this budget cut is to create a basis for the economy that would lead us out of this crisis."

Sirley Salk
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Minister: Europe has not yet done enough on cyber-defence

2009-02-05

Europe-Defence/Internet/

Brussels (dpa) - Europe has not yet done enough to protect its internet and communications systems from web-based attacks, the politician whose country fought the world's first-ever cyber war told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa on Wednesday.

"A lot has been done, but whether enough has been done or not, I hesitate: most probably not," Estonian Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo said in an exclusive interview with dpa.

Estonia's famously internet-based government fought off a major cyberattack in April 2007 as pro-Russian hackers targeted the country in retaliation for the government's decision to relocate a Soviet-era war memorial from central Tallinn.

Aaviksoo, who was defence minister at the time, has since emerged as a leading authority on the issue, delivering the keynote speech to an EU cyber-defence seminar in Brussels on Wednesday.

But while the Tallinn incident kick-started a global debate on internet security and galvanized individual countries to strengthen their web defences, the European Union has not yet reacted with sufficient coordination, he said.

"For the time being, Europe's capability to defend itself from cyberattacks is on the level of some of the capabilities of member states. Little value-added on the European level has been developed: we need to do more," he said.

In particular, the 27-member bloc must work harder to coordinate the efforts of various national defence and law-enforcement agencies and push for better cooperation with third countries which can serve as a safe haven for web-based attackers, he said.

"In more developed countries, some of the rules are present and we can prosecute (cybercrime) to a certain level, but in some countries it is not a concept at all," he pointed out.

Such "failed states in cyberspace" are as much a security threat as was the Taliban regime in Afghanistan which sheltered al-Qaeda after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he said.

While NATO has already set up a cyber-research centre in Tallinn and called for alliance-wide cooperation on the issue, Aaviksoo said that its approach was tightly focused on military defence, leaving it up to the EU to confront more general information-security issues.

But he acknowledged that the bloc is already moving in the right direction, having included cyber-defence in the latest update of its common security policy.

The EU's executive, the European Commission, has called for an EU-wide policy on protecting "critical information infrastructure," such as communications networks and air traffic control systems. EU states are set to debate the proposals at a meeting in Tallinn in April.

And the Council of Europe, whose 47 members include all the EU's member states plus neighbours from Russia to Iceland, passed a convention on fighting cyber crime as long ago as 2001 - but it has so far been ratified by only half the body's members, with key states such as Russia and Turkey still outside.

Aaviksoo said that Estonia had had particular problems with Russia after his government traced some of the 2007 attacks to internet addresses which were registered as Russian state servers.

"Unfortunately, there has been no willingness to cooperate from the Russian side ... There are formal excuses presented by the Russian side hinting that this is unregulated, and that cyber-crimes are not covered by (current) legal-assistance agreements," he said.

This highlights the need to remove ambiguities in international cooperation agreements, he said.

But he stressed that it is "not 100-per-cent clear" that the attacks came from Russian government computers, "because (internet) addresses can be faked in the process of transmission," he said.

Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Minister goes to London to promote Estonian companies

2009-01-29

Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications goes to London to meet representatives of financial institutions to discuss Estonia's immediate future on European money markets, aripaev.ee reports.

"We discuss Estonia's current situation with some banks, how do we seem from abroad and how to improve," Parts said, adding that it's very important that foreign countries had adequate overlook of what's happening in Estonia. Parts is also searching if, who and on which conditions would foreign institutions bring their money here.

"We have to plan big investments when we're talking of Estonia's energy plan for instance. For that one must sense what has happened in the financial sector past couple of months when looking from businessmen's side," the Minister said.

The other main subject of the meetings is Eesti Energia's investment possibilities, Parts noted.

He said he is not going to London to see whether the state could get a loan.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Estonian exporters’ aid package got green light from entrepreneurs

2009-01-22

The aid package worth EEK 4 bln got approved yesterday and Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications will take it to the government in February, Äripäev reports. Aivar Rehe, the CEO of Sampo bank, who represented Banking Association at the meeting said, he endorses and praises the prepared package.

"We got surety that the parties are ready to value and revalue the existence of monetary resources," Rehe noted.

Parts said that all parties are interested and now one has to make sure, which companies need help.

"It's pointless to hope that troubled entrepreneur gets support that would save the company that has lost competitiveness. The main thing is to support adaptability and to see whether there are such market errors in which additional state's or Kredex' guarantee can be of help," Parts said.

The help plan:

* Current help: operating loan, loan guarantees and export guarantees.

* Possible additional help: state's guarantee to banks' loans, financing the banks (getting the resources from the financial market together with state financing), re-financing bank loans, own capital loan (for the companies, who don't have enough own capital for the banks).

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Minister of Economic Affairs to consider giving state aid to ailing exporters

2009-01-09

Estonian exporters that are experiencing financing problems could soon receive state aid, according to the Minister of Economic Affairs Juhan Parts.

Eesti Päevaleht writes that the ministry has prepared an analysis and a list of recommendations for assisting exporters in securing financing now that banks are reluctant to finance industry.

According to the document that was obtained by Eesti Päevaleht, the state could make up to four billion kroons available to exporting companies.

Parts himself confirmed that the ministry was working on the plan. He said in comment that it was important that exporters have access to ongoing financing since otherwise they would be automatically in trouble. "We don't want to see development of any exporter suffering from the reluctance of banks to lend them money," he said.

Parts said that he planned to consult with the country's larger banks to find out their possibilities to continue financing the exporting industry.

According to the plan, the state would be offering through the export credit agency Kredex guarantees for bank loans or for loan refinancing arrangements.

Representatives of the larger banks say that they are slightly surprised about the plan since the banks have sufficient capital to continue providing loans to strong companies.

However, banks said that because of the macroeconomic situation, there were few projects that are eligible for financing. Allan Parik, deputy head of corporate financing department of SEB, said that this was the biggest problem in financing at present.

Artjom Sokolov, head of the corporate banking division of Swedbank, said that the problem was finding out which projects are sustainable and which are not. "The global and local economic climate has changed so rapidly that it is difficult for companies to define sustainable strategy," he said.

Banks said that even if the government's plan is implemented, four billion kroons would be a drop in the sea. Banks have issued a total of over EEK 250 billion in loans in Estonia.

Toomas Hõbemägi
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Laar: make 2009 the year of the visible hand

2009-01-05

Ex-PM and chairman of IRL Mart Laar says that Estonia needs a strong, decisive and resolute government to overcome the crisis.

Eesti Päevaleht quoted Laar writing in his Internet blog that this is the so-called visible hand that has helped Estonia overcome earlier crisis.

"Let the year 2009 be the year of visible hand in Estonia. This means that we, but especially the government must have the guts to make decisions that may be unpopular, to choose between the important and unimportant and boldness to admit that mistakes have been made or something has been left undone."

According to Laar, otherwise Estonia faces a risk of entering the kind of crisis that Latvians are in at present.

"Why the Estonian situation is different from many other countries is that the crisis of 1992-1993 and 1999-2000 were overcome with the help of a strong and decisive visible hand," writes Laar.

He adds that the role of the government, the so-called visible hand, is to create a favourable environment for the invisible hand, the people who think and act freely. "The two need each other since it would be foolhardy to believe that the invisible hand can automatically solve all problems."

Toomas Hõbemägi
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Laar: Estonia wouldn’t get into NATO today

2008-12-09

Mart Laar, chairperson of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union told ERR News that if Estonia didn't have the chance to join NATO in 2004, we wouldn't be able to join today.

Laar agreed with Urmas Paet, Foreign Minister that NATO's member action plan (MAP) is a mythologized phenomenon and stops semantic agreement.

He said that Eastern and Central European countries have joined NATO by force.

"They created MAP to keep us out, but we still were able to join NATO. Now they thought of something for Ukraine and Georgia," Laar explained.

He didn't agree that Estonia has made enemies by supporting Georgia.

"The events in Georgia only strengthened positions both, NATO and EU had about Russia," Laar noted.

He said that before the conflict in Georgia the world wasn't willing to believe that Russia could attack with such strength, aimed to change the regime.

The politician believes that the conflict between Russia and Georgia could've been avoided with much smaller intrusion from Europe and partly the event is Europe's fault.

"It wouldn't have happened if there was same number of peacekeepers then and if Europe would've intruded faster and bolder into mediation," Laar said.´

Laar doesn't feel himself guilty for the conflict.

"I was an economic advisor. Economically Georgia has come out of it better than I would've expected at that time," Laar said.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Mart Laar: delay with eurozone entry cost Estonia dearly

2008-11-27

Former Prime Minister Mart Laar believes that the government’s decision not to enter the eurozone in 2007 had a high price for Estonia.

Laar who attended a TV show for former PMs said that the mistake was to consider that economic growth was more important than reducing inflation and ensuring that Estonia is accepted to the eurozone.

Speaking of the future, Laar said that he expected problems to pile up. "If the government earnestly wants to achieve eurozone-capacity by 2011, it will be very painful."

Also another PM and current vice president of the European Commission Siim Kallas admitted that Estonia was very close to entering the eurozone in 2007 and that it was a mistake not to push for it.

"I have always been in favour of speeding up the eurozone entry, but a question is what the government could have done at those times when Estonia still have a budget surplus," said Kallas.

Third former PM Juhan Parts said that the eurozone issue is a huge political topic, but suggested to focus more on the future instead of analyzing mistakes made in the past.

Toomas Hõbemägi
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Mart Laar has taken Georgia ahead of Estonia

2008-11-21

Advisor Mart Laar has taken Georgia 97 places higher in the World Bank's business climate index - when Gerogia placed 112th in 2005, then three years later Georgia has 15th place, Õhtuleht writes.

Estonia is ranked 22nd.

“When I went to Georgia I set myself a goal, how to measure my work. When international monetary specialists thought that Georgia would get USD 250 mln foreign investments per year, then I was able to notably grow that number,” Laar said.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

MP: Nochnoi Dozor may turn Estonia into new South Ossetia

2008-11-17

Estonian MP Marko Mihkelson says that the poll made by pro-Kremlin movement Nochnoi Dozor in Estonia is very worrying.

Mihkelson told Eesti Päevaleht that activists of the movement that severely opposed the removal of the Bronze Soldier monument have now been polling Russians living in Estonia, asking them questions whether they would like to see territorial Russian autonomy within Estonia.

"They have been polling Russians living in Estonia in the last week in Tallinn, Kohtla-Järve and Narva and claim that people are actively participating. I don't know the responses they are getting, but the whole ideology of the question is very suspicious," the MP who is also chairman of the parliamentary EU committee wrote in his blog.

"Why are they asking such a question? What is the purpose? Is it improving the life of Russians living in Estonia or is it destabilising the country? Are they creating preconditions for Russia to take similar actions as they did in South Ossetia?" asked the MP.

Mihkelson said that in the Ossetian crisis the President of Russia promised to use military force to protect all citizens of Russia, no matter where they live.

Toomas Hõbemägi
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Tunne Kelam MEP: EU - Russia relations: preceding the November 14 Summit in Nice

2008-11-05

After hearing the presentations by Mr. Javier Solana and Mrs. Ferrero-Waldner before the AFET Committee November 5, 2008, my concern that on the eve of the planned Nice Summit the Council and the Commission are obviously not willing or prepared to draw the proper conclusions from the Russian large-scale use of military force against a sovereign neighbouring state has only increased.

The fact that the Russian military invasion and occupation of large parts of Georgia presents a deliberate challenge to the fundamental principles upon which international relations and security are based has not been seriously addressed by the Commission.
While the EU, led by the French presidency, should be commended for both its rapid reaction to the Georgian crisis and its effective mediation leading to the ending of armed fighting, the EU's current position is alarmingly ambivalent.

The EU's High Representative Javier Solana declared, "Although we are at a critical juncture with Russia, there is no alternative to a strong relationship. We need Russia as much as Russia needs the EU and that is why contacts are on-going."

The crucial point is that the EU's approach to the aftermath of the invasion of Georgia is not credibly balanced between what Mr. Solana called rational and principled components.

With values and principles left on the level of declarations and their full implementation indefinitely postponed to future conferences, rational arguments end up dominating. This means that while EU leaders declare that there is no business as usual; in reality business as usual will be continued because "there is no alternative".

This is a risky and short-sighted policy by which the EU deprives itself of respect as a serious and independent actor in international affairs. It will be a dangerous slippery slope. If after Russia's blatant use of force and dismembering of an independent state, the European Community finds that it can afford no principled alternatives at all; this will be interpreted by Kremlin militant leaders as opening the way to further intimidation and demonstrations of force.

I wonder if similar declarations about there being no alternative to continuing business as usual will be made after Russia has invaded Crimea to "protect" its newly-created citizens there to whom Russian passports with EU visa facilitation opportunities are currently being distributed. What are the guarantees that the Kremlin hawks, emboldened by the absence of any concrete consequences to their actions will not try their luck again in Ukraine or elsewhere?

Unfortunately, EU hesitancy to set clear limits to such a pre-planned violation of the norms of international conduct is in all likelihood going to encourage further assertiveness of revanchist Russian nationalism. The authoritarian Russia of today has an alarming resemblance to national-socialist Germany 70 years ago, trying to compensate its humiliation of a lost empire and using the pretext of defending its compatriots abroad (Sudeten Germans) to justify military expansion. Western democracies' desperate attempts to cling to the continuation of a strong relationship with Hitler failed.

Since August 8, 2008, the paradigm of international security is no longer the same. The longer united Europe hesitates to make clear that there will be serious consequences resulting from the one-sided change made to this paradigm, the higher the price will be for continuing business as usual.

Brussels, 5 November 2008

Mart Laar: ousting of Andrus Ansip will not help

2008-11-03

Former Prime Minister and leader of IRL Mart Laar believes that resignation of PM Andrus Ansip is not a solution.

Laar writes in his blog that recently businessmen Tiit Vähi and Oliver Kruuda and Centre Party leader Edgar Savisaar have publicly demanded Ansip’s resignation.

“It may be nice to know that Savisaar is modestly prepared to become PM tomorrow, but it will not bring a single cent extra to the budget,” writes Laar, according to Eesti Päevaleht.

According to Laar, a government crisis and domestic political instability that it would create would not help Estonia come out of the hole it is in.

“Ansip has been a Prime Minister during a boom and has no experience about how to lead during an economic crisis,” writes Laar.

He adds that Ansip’s position has become more stressful since his personal popularity and support to the Reform party have been falling. “I know from personal experience that low popularity is not an obstacle for a PM to make decisions. And we need decisions and reforms today. Opposing or postponing reforms is not an answer. Estonia needs courage to make decisions.”

“The government has been looking at the situation through rosy glasses and keeps saying that next year’s budget deficit will be “only” three billion. This must stop. The deficit could be much higher and even exceed the Maastricht criteria. The government must act now.”

Laar said that the coalition partners Reform Party, IRL and Social Democrats have passed an unrealistic coalition agreement. “Now is the time to admit our mistakes and find a solution that would help Estonia to reach its main goal – to join the eurozone in 2011.”

Toomas Hõbemägi
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Mart Laar: where are the reforms?

2008-10-23

Ex-PM Mart Laar writes in Eesti Päevaleht that one of Estonia's biggest problems right now is that after years of rapid growth it has practically stopped reforming its economy.

Laar writes that instead of being at the forefront of reforms, the Estonian state has become a by-stander.

"Estonia would not have succeeded in transforming to the market economy if the government had not imposed tough rules and policies. Privatization and several others reforms were carried out under strict instructions of the state. One example of such tough measures were the solutions that the government and the central bank imposed on ailing banks in the 1992-1993 banking crisis. All this helped Estonian economy to grow faster than any other emerging nation." According to Laar, such success caused overoptimism and the government started to think that its work was done. "Such thinking was especially prevalent during the right-left coalition of Centre Party and Reform Party. Looking back to these years, it is clear that Estonia made many big mistakes at those times that are now costing us dearly."

Laar said that the four mistake was failure to enter the eurozone in 2007. "Our inflation rate was only 0.3 percent higher than the limit and it could have been reduced if the government had acted decisively. Unfortunately, PM Ansip said then that he would not sacrifice rapid economic growth to bring down inflation."

Second mistake was that the government then started to both lower taxes and increase social spending. "Traditionally, rightwing government lower taxes and leftwing governments increase social spending. Our government mixed a lethal cocktail that caused such hangover that we are still suffering from it."

Third problem was stopping to implement new reforms and letting things take their own course. "It is sad to see that Estonia is falling in several international indices. For instance, it fell 5 places in the World Bank's business climate index. World Bank said in its comment on Estonia's poor ranking simply: "No reforms!"

"What to do? I would recommend five steps. First, the government must adopt as its objective that Estonia must enter eurozone in 2011 at the latest and do everything to achieve this, including a balanced budget and stopping introducing or raising taxes. Second, the state must start to function efficiently. This can be achieved through administrative reform and public service reform."

Laar says that third proposal is to improve Estonia's business climate. "Stop changing the taxation system, reduce bureaucracy and help companies develop. There must be a strong export subsidy system and attract more smart capital to Estonia. Adopt new employment legislation."

Fourth, Estonia must invest in its education system. "Our higher education system must be focused at quality and not quantity."

Fifth, Estonia must by the end of this year decide what will happen with our energy sector including whether we will develop nuclear energy in the future.

Toomas Hõbemägi
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Estonian minister invites foreign investors to second round

2008-10-20

Since transitional period to next growth cycle is the best time for investing, Juhan Parts, Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs invites foreign investors to the second round, aripaev.ee mediates New European Economist.

After couple of years doubled economic growth Estonian economy faces cooling and blooming of domestic economy is ending, writes Parts in the article.

"Still it is great time to invest into next economic growth and positive business cycle in Estonia. Money of EU funds is also available to make transition to next growth cycle more smoother," said Parts.

He added that more specialized sectors are broadening investors' possibilities to choose most suitable field.

"Estonians are experts on getting used to new conditions. From Soviet times to choppy ‘90s to technology-oriented situation today, Estonians have always adapted and re-found themselves," noted Parts.

Since being in transition phase, Estonia is ready to go into next economic blooming.

"This time our IT-sector and manufacturing are dominating. There is no better option to take part of it than now and also benefit from it," the minister wrote.

"Look, what we have to offer and don't wonder what could've been," Parts is inviting foreign investors.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

MP: power of politicians will grow

2008-10-13

Countries don't dare to let competition be free in financial system and they reply to downturn with restrictions and control, which will bring larger power to politicians in the near future, Member of Estonian Parliament Taavi Veskimägi writes in today's Postimees.

The following is his column:

In recent weeks and months nothing has happened in financial sector without government's direct or implied participation.

By today the practise has proved government has no political capability to bear applying of the rules of competitive economy - governments don't risk and can't to let markets move endlessly downwards.
The nerve of governments is shorter than markets. Countries save their own real economy through banks.

What's happening in financial markets is already noticeably influencing real economy through smaller values of assets and fewer credit options.

Today's message has been: fruits are shared between private persons, losses we share jointly and severally.

The market has ignored government's actions. Market's emotion is masochistic.

The economy is primarily faith and emotions. And nothing has broke that emotion that far.

Government's expansive interruption has had very strong and long-term influence to whole global financial system, in some ways market has totally discredited itself in front of publicity.

We probably don't see a financial system as it was before. In some ways it's similar to time after 9.11.2001 when the answer was regulations, restrictions, control. Same thing's happening now.

When global markets isn't managed to handle in conditions where information is moving globally night and day, people are truly negative which means continuous negative over boost, then answer is restrictions and more restrictions.

With today's interruption governments and central banks have taken more powerful role than so far. It's doubtful they can carry that out.

Can government be wiser than markets? I doubt.

Anyway this crisis is global revision of assets, when governments have the main role, which means noticeable growth if importance of politics/politicians.

Marge Tubalkain-Trell
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Economy Minister: Estonian energy sector needs 100 billion

2008-10-09

Estonian energy sector is facing a life an death battle and needs to invest around 100 billion kroons in the next 10 to 15 years.

Speaking at the energy conference from Vision to Action, Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs Juhan Parts said while until now the state has been behind most of the investments in the energy sector, it is now time for the private capital to start playing a bigger role.

"The changes that are facing this field are enormous," said Parts speaking of the energy development plan that the Ministry of Economic Affairs drafted this summer.

"The electricity sector needs to invest 50 billion kroons
Among others, the price of oil shale energy is going to double in 2013 which means that all businesses are facing changes," said Parts.

A key issue in the energy development plan is nuclear energy. According to Parts, Estonia will draft legislation to regulate nuclear energy by 2012 and determine whether Estonia needs to invest in its nuclear power plant or not. According to Einari Kisel, Ministry's deputy general secretary in energy matters, Estonia could theoretically start producing nuclear energy not before 2023.

Among others, Parts proposed to set up an Energy Agency in Estonia that would be responsible for implementing development plans and manage investments. "The agency will not put firewood in your fireplace, but act like a thinktank," said Parts.

Toomas Hõbemägi
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Coalition waters down idea merging local governments by force

2008-09-29

Social Democrats and Reform Party do not support the idea of IRL to start merging local governments by force.

Postimees writes that the plan was coined by minister of regional affairs Siim Kiisler (IRL) who was seeking support of coalition partners to his idea.

Kiisler said that he proposes to carry out an administrative reform where current counties and five largest towns would remain local governments and current local governments could become parts of large local governments such as city districts in Tallinn.

In Kiisler's opinion, Estonia should have no more than 60 to 80 local governments.

His plan backfired yesterday when Social Democrats announced that forced merger of local governments was unrealistic.

Also Reform Party did not support Kiisler's ideas and suggested that he continues implementing the administrative reform launched by former minister of regional affairs Vallo Reimaa that urged local government themselves to seek partners.

Kiisler has said that Reimaa's plan is too superficial and fails to reform the administrative governance of Estonia.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Mart Laar: Estonia wouldn’t survive the same budget twice

2008-09-26

Mart Laar, chairman of IRL, writes in Delfi that Estonia wouldn't survive the same state budget process twice. Laar writes that it is deeply abnormal that the state budget was approved three days before submitting and it was closed in the government an hour before submitting. "It is good that the government coalition was able to remain calm and work constructively. Otherwise the consequences would have been very difficult," he added.

According to Laar, drafting state budget of 2010 with the same methods would definitely end up in impasse.

Laar added that we have built up a country that we are not able to maintain. "If we want to construct the budget of 2010 then we have to have boldness to make the decisions - and begin discussing them straight away."

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Estonian Minister of Education promises wage growth for teachers

2008-09-24

After a tense state budget discussion it seems unbelievable at first glance that somebody dares to talk about wage increase, but Estonian Minister of Education and Research, Tõnis Lukas, promises to raise the wages of teachers by 8 pct, Postimees writes.

In overall, Lukas is satisfied with the final budget. “The reached agreement is favorable, expenses-revenues are in balance and the last division of expenses is the best that Estonia can reach,” Lukas said.

He added that there are plenty of areas where financing is cut but science’s part is increasing and other improvement in the budget is teachers’ wage growth. “I propose the government to raise teachers’ minimum wage by 8 pct which would exceed the forecast of average wage growth,” Lukas said.

Teachers’ wage growth is the only expense article in the Education Ministry that will gain.

Sandra Taimre
www.balticbusinessnews.com

IRL: budget deficit would have endangered Estonian currency

2008-09-23

It is important that the state budget wasn't let into deficit, otherwise it would have endangered Estonian currency kroon and also joining the eurozone, secretary general of IRL, Margus Tsahkna, said.

"I am pleased that we didn't give up! That we keep the budget in balance. It would have been the worst if we would have so called let the belt loose and said, ok let's let into a small minus," Tsahkna said.

Tsahkna added that if they would have gone into minus with the government's plans, they would have endangered Estonian kroon's future and switching over to euro.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Politicos call for Russia out of CoE

2008-09-17

TALLINN - Prominent Estonian politicians Mart Laar and Andres Herkel have called for Russia to be kicked out of the Council of Europe.

The two politicians, both of whom are among the country's most high-profile lawmakers, made the comments in an article published in the German newspaper Die Welt and the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda on Wednesday.

"Russia's membership of the Council of Europe may have made some sense in the early days, when there was still some political pluralism. A few independent politicians, such as Sergey Kovalev, the eminent human rights activist, represented the country in the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly," the article said. "But that time is long past."

"Of the many ways in which Russiais exceptional, its membership of Europe's premier human rights body, the Council of Europe, is perhaps the most embarrassing," it said.

The Baltic Times in cooperation with BNS

Read the text of the article »

IRL: state budget has to support Estonian economy’s competitiveness

2008-09-16

IRL's Parliament faction decided today that when drawing the state budget for 2009, Estonian economy's competitiveness has to be preserved and no decisions, which would damage the export, shouldn't be made, postimees.ee writes.

“Estonia cannot saw through the branch it is sitting on while drawing the state budget, the state has to draw the budget also in 2010 and 2011. In case we are damaging the economy now then we have nothing to do next year,” Mart Laar, chairman of IRL, said.

IRL is continually convinced that Estonia has to keep the budget for 2009 in balance, he added.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Juhan Parts: Estonia's economy is souped up to rebound from recession

2008-09-02

Business New Europe writes that Estonia has just become the first country in the Central and Eastern Europe to fall into recession. Could the country be swapping its classy consomme for a bit of a stew? the portal asks.

"At the end of the day, you can't cook a better soup in one part of the pot than the other," Minister of the Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts said when asked about the Estonian economy's prospects for recovery.

"This recession is showing that in the short term we have a problem, but I think in the long term the Estonian economical basis is very strong," Parts said. "We create a good environment for doing business."

"On the micro level, several things are possible, and the recession could even be viewed as positive. We have to use this momentum as, certainly, there was a bubble in the real estate sector. Now we see there are the same problems in different European markets such as Denmark and Ireland - and I'm not even talking about big economies like Britain and Spain. There is nothing catastrophic. It is giving good opportunities to find a fresh start for the Estonian economy."

Increased competition in the labour market is key to those new opportunities, Parts believes. "There have been a lot of claims for the last two or three years that there is not enough labour. Now it is becoming available. If there will be a certain flexibility from the private sector, there will be new opportunities for business," he says, while insisting, "We need quality investments, we are not like a kind of factory country for Swedish and Finnish companies."

Indeed, the theme of Estonia being far more than a Nordic makeweight is one he picks up again when asked about the ownership of state airline Estonian Air. Scandinavian airline SAS, which recently announced it was divesting itself of shares in Latvian airline airBaltic because it could not take a majority stake, owns 49 pct of Estonian Air. "Our interest in government is that there are more interconnections from Tallinn. They [Estonian Air] have to have their own business strategy, not to just be a back office flying to Stockholm and Copenhagen. That is crucial."

Parts acknowledges that the domestic market is not huge, but is insistent that citizens, tourists and businesses have to fly "so they don't have to wait six hours in Stockholm or Copenhagen to fly to Bucharest" - sounding very like a man who has had to wait six hours in Stockholm for a flight to Bucharest.

To up the ante, Parts then suggested a radical new scheme: "I have another offer - let's give 20 pct of SAS shares to the Estonian government. Let's do it in the same way that the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian governments are involved in SAS."

As if such issues weren't enough for your average economy minister to be getting on with, his ministry has also commissioned an intriguing document that is just landing on his desk. It's essentially a feasibility study looking at the potential to privatise various state-owned companies including gas, ports and the postal service. But, understandably, Parts is keen to clamp down on talk about a grand sell-off any time soon. "I just want to correct this version of it as 'privatization'," he explains. "What we are talking about is that these companies have to have their own very clear growth strategies - these are very infrastructural types of things. We are going to open the energy market so we need new investments. Why should energy production be owned 100 pct by the state?"

"If the market is good and there is enough political support, I think we can make decisions on the business level. That is the main thing. But if there is no need from the business point of view then we are not going to privatise just in order to privatise."

As for the borsch-eaters to the east, Parts says Estonia shouldn't lose too much sleep about the economic consequences of offering such staunch support to Georgia. "Of course, we saw a certain economic impact from the Russian side a year ago [following the 'bronze soldier' riots in Tallinn]. We always look at economic relations as a big opportunity for our businesses. Despite the political rhetoric, these economic connections are developing. That is the reality. We are very constructive and in any case the biggest loser is the Russian economy and Russian citizens."

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Marko Mihkelson: Moscow wants Baltic countries under its influence

2008-09-01

MP Marko Mihkelson writes in his blog that the Russian President Dmitri Medvedev five foreign policy objects, which he presented to the journalists yesterday, leave no room for doubts: Kremlin wishes to strengthen its influence at close quarters and further.

Moscow's game is based on hope that the West is more fragmented and easily influenced with "big money". In addition they beleive that the authoritarian power system is more effective and fast to react, postimees.ee writes.

Mihkelson writes that we should be ready that Kremlin is trying to increase its political influence in Baltic countries and unhook us form the western world groundsel.

He added that it is important for Estonia to collocate its foreign policy resources to assure national security.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Estonian state invests in tourism

2008-08-25

Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Communication Juhan Parts has signed two regulations intended to support development of tourism services and objects until 2013, worth up to 400 million kroon, the Baltic Business Channel informs via Ariapaev.ee.

The first regulation supports entrepreneurs' investments in the development of major international interest-gaining tourism products, such as theme parks, and tourist-attraction sights based on national traditions.

The minimum sum of the subsidy is 30 million kroon, and the maximum reaches 50 million kroon. The self-financing of the enterprises involved has to be at least 70% of all the eligible expenses.

The second regulation supports the development of smaller tourism projects. The minimum sum of the aid amounts to 1.5 million kroon, and maximum - to 5 million kroon. Self-financing has to form at least 50%.

Source: The BALTIC Course

Laar: Estonia has to be ready for cyber war

2008-08-18

Mart Laar, the chairman of IRL, said Estonia has to create national structures for holding a cyber war since Russia also used cyber and info war against Georgia.

According to Laar, Estonia has to learn from Gerogia's experiences and create national structures to forestall and fend off attacks, Delfi writes.

In addition to cyber wars, Laar directed attention to increasing Estonia's defense ability. According to him, IRL will not back down from keeping the current level of defense expenses.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Statement of the Riigikogu on military aggression of the Russian Federation against Georgia

2008-08-12

On 12 August the President of the parliament of Estonia Ene Ergma convened, on the motion of 37 members of the parliament, an extraordinary session of the Riigikogu. The agenda of the session consisted of the draft Statement of the Riigikogu on Aggression of the Russian Federation against Georgia. It was adopted by 62 votes in favour, 20 against, no abstentions.

Statement of the Riigikogu on military aggression of the Russian Federation against Georgia

The Riigikogu condemns the military aggression of the Russian Federation against the Republic of Georgia and expresses deep-felt concerns about its eventual outcome.

The Riigikogu greets and supports the appeal of the international community and democracies to stop military activities immediately and to ensure the territorial integrity of the state of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

The Riigikogu stresses that peace can be restored in Georgia and the security of the neighbours of the Russian Federation can be guaranteed only if the global democratic community applies unified, forceful and consistent pressure to achieve this end. The aggressor must realise that an attack against a sovereign state leads to international sanctions. The Russian Federation must return to principles of cooperation and international law.

The Riigikogu points out that when the Russian Federation justifies the military aggression with the need to protect Russian citizens, it is using arguments identical to those used by the National Socialist Germany when it attacked its neighbours Czechoslovakia and Poland and crushed their independence. The return to such argumentation causes serious anxiety about world peace.

The Riigikogu calls on the United Nations, European Union, European Parliament, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe, all democratic states and particularly their parliaments to assist Georgia in every way possible, in order to put an immediate end to the military aggression by the Russian Federation and to compensate for the moral and material damage caused.

The Riigikogu proposes to the Government of the Republic to allocate humanitarian aid to Georgia in order to repair war damages across the country.

The Riigikogu supports the application of new peacekeeping formats in Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia and calls on the European Union to participate in these. In case Russia continues the aggression, the Riigikogu considers it impossible to continue the Partnership and

Cooperation Agreement negotiations between the European Union and Russia.

The Riigikogu supports the accelerated accession of Georgia to NATO.

President of the Riigikogu
Ene Ergma

In Tallinn, 12 August 2008

Laar: cutting defence expenses would be insanity in the light of Georgia

2008-08-11

Member of Pro Patria and Res Publica Faction, Mart Laar, thinks that when looking at what's going on in Georgia, it would be insanity to cut down on defence expenses.

"When looking at Russia's aggression towards Georgia, the aim of which seems to be - according to signs and statements - to remove Georgia's president and parliament from their jobs and installing a puppet-government that obeys Moscow, it would be insanity to start cutting down on defence expenses," päevaleht online quotes what Mart Laar writes in his blog.

"The same is true about the sums needed to guarantee internal security. It's impossible to agree with limits that drastically reduce expenses on defence," thinks Laar.

According to him it's a question that can't be solved with a compromise. "The limit of defence expenses has to at least remain at the same level as last year."

"There are clear problems in other sectors of the budget as well, so possible choices should be reviews, without excluding politically unpleasant solutions either," writes Laar, noting that making such decisions is in the competence of the Prime Minister.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Declaration of Presidents of Parliaments of the Baltic States

2008-08-10

With deep concern and anxiety, we are observing the events in Georgia which at this moment is under intensive attacks by the army of the Russian Federation.

We are calling on the international community to decisively condemn actions of Russia and to promptly take all necessary steps to stop the war and bring the parties to the negotiation table.

Justification of Russia's actions in Georgia by the need to protect its citizens is unacceptable. Alleged reasons for taking up a war against Georgia raise concerns about the future in every state with Russian citizens living on its territory.

We are concerned and disappointed with the actions and behaviour of Russia, as an important actor in the politics of the region and the whole world, which will inevitably have effect on further bilateral and multilateral relations with this country. Russia's military aggression against another sovereign state and actions contradicting the statements of its leaders raise serious doubts about the reliability and consistency of Russia as a partner.

Furthermore, we are convinced that the response of the international community to Russia's aggression against Georgia is at the same time a test for Euro-Atlantic security institutions of their reliability and solidarity. Therefore we are calling on our governments to discuss, in cooperation with NATO and EU partners, measures to prevent similar actions in future. NATO and the EU must assume responsibility for the security and stability of their partners to demonstrate Russia's leadership it cannot do whatever it wants with its neighbours that share the values and principles of the Euro-Atlantic community.

Russia's aggression against Georgia must be stopped, with the help of coordinated actions of the international community, immediately before all Georgian infrastructure and economy is destroyed which would bring about humanitarian catastrophe with long-term consequences in the entire region.

Ene Ergma, President of the Riigikogu of Estonia
Gundars Daudze, President of the Saeima of Latvia
Česlovas Juršėnas, President of the Seimas of Lithuania

Mart Laar to advise Davos economic forum

2008-07-22

Estonian politician Mart Laar was invited to the Global Agenda Council that was put together to advise and prepare Davos economic forum, writes postimees.ee.

The Council consists of 20-30 members, including the CEO's of world's largest enterprises, scientists, journalists, and politicians. The purpose of the Council is to discuss the problems and challenges the world is facing and in by doing that prepare for the Davos forum in the year 2009.

The Council will have four meetings this year, three of which will be held online, on a face-to-face meeting. This year the face-to-face meeting will take place in Dubai in autumn.

Commenting about his election to the Council, Mart Laar said that he has worked with the Davos forum for a long time already. "The chance to help prepare Davos forum is certainly a challenge, considering that currently no one else from the Baltic States and other new European Union member states has been asked to join it. I believe that this will give me an opportunity to turn attention to Eastern-Europe and the problems of newer member states," said Laar.

Davos World Economic Forum that takes place in a mountain resort in Switzerland every January is one of the most representative events of this sort, where the leaders of different sectors analyse developments in the world and try to solve global problems.

Source: Baltic Buiness News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Parts wants waste quotas on Russia's electricity as well

2008-07-07

In the meeting of European Unions transport, communication and energy ministers in Paris, Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Communication, Juhan Parts, pointed out that waste quotas should also be established on the electricity imported to the EU, writes aripaev.ee.

According to Parts, Estonia is worried about the potential effect of the energy- and climate pack on Baltic electricity market and security, because while the Baltic States have large capacities to import electricity from third countries, connections with other member states of the EU are very limited. The aim in the currently discussed energy and climate pack is that starting from the years 2013 all EU's energy producers have to buy all of their waste quotas from auction, which gives a significant advantage to the electricity coming from third countries, where the producers don't have such additional cost. That gives the electricity producers of third countries unjust advantages, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication announced.

"So to avoid the market falling apart and to support just competition, the imported electricity also has to be a part of the trade system of waste quotas. Otherwise we'll create a situation where the EU's market will be dominated by electricity produced cheaply and while adding waste to the environment. It addition, the current version of the draft would motivate EU's entrepreneurs to take their production abroad, where expenses on environment are smaller," said Parts. "Adding the electricity imported from third countries to the waste trade is also important for the national security of the Baltic States, because we can't exclude the option of someone deciding to use electricity as a political tool."

As an other important topic for Estonia, Parts said that the currently limited state aid to electricity production has to be analysed. The current directive allows a member state to offer aid up to 15 pct of the states domestic consumption to the energy producer who uses domestic resources. From the point of view of energetic security, this limit might be too low for Estonia, which is why Parts thinks that this topic should be discussed further.

According to the draft of European Commission, starting from the year 2013 all electricity producers have to buy their waste quotas from an auction, the pack will also increase pressure on all member states to increase the use of renewable energy. Estonia supports the main goals of the climate- and energy pack, but wishes that the peculiarities of member states were considered more, especially from the point of view of energy and national security. The European Commission hopes to reach a final conclusion about the energy and climate pack by the end of the year.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Mart Laar: Estonia can be successful in 20 years

2008-06-17

I believe Estonia has all possibilities to be successful in 20 years, Mart Laar, chairman of the Pro Patria/Res Publica Union, said in an online interview to aripaev.ee.

According to Laar, Estonia's success is based on the ability to make radical decisions during the economic crises and in case Estonia is able to repeat it, we are successful also in the future.

Laar said that Estonia could not hope success in 20 years without adopting the euro. This however assumes cutting and freezing governmental expenses and critical revising of several programmes.

In addition, the state should cut bureaucracy because the state is not able to carry it anymore. Cutting bureaucracy includes decreasing the number of state offices and officials, he said.

Laar said that the state should develop manufacturing targeted to export. This presumes greater attention on foreign trading, keeping taxes low and cutting bureaucracy.

According to Laar, Estonia should be turned into magnet of "smart people" and "smart money". The 21st century should be characterized by competition to smart people not to natural resources, Laar said. Estonia has to find a way how to attract those smart people, raise own human resources and use the resources maximally, Laar added.

You can read the whole interview in Estonian here.

Source: Baltic Business News
www.balticbusinessnews.com

Tunne Kelam MEP: EPP-ED Group committed to moral and political assessment of all totalitarian regimes

2008-04-23

The EPP-ED Group has welcomed yesterday's debate in the European Parliament on the assessment of crimes of totalitarian regimes as a promising starting point to achieving an integrated understanding of all the human tragedies of the 20th century, no matter which totalitarian system may have caused them.

The message of the debate could be coined in the words: "Justice belongs to all citizens of Europe, without exception," said the EPP-ED Bureau Member Tunne Kelam MEP.

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, added: "The European Parliament is one of those international actors which has human rights issues at its very heart. This also entails our pan-European responsibility for the proper assessment of all historic crimes against mankind."

The EPP-ED Group believes that there must be an equal assessment of all crimes against humanity, all acts of genocide and classocide as well as all war crimes.

"In just the same way as the Baltic Sea has become an internal EU sea following the 2004 enlargement, the historic experience of the ten Member States that suffered under totalitarian terror of the Communist type has become an all-European issue," said Kelam.

Tunne Kelam expressed his disappointment at the European Commission's initial statement that assessment of the Communist totalitarian past is considered first of all an internal matter of every relevant country: "Such an attitude is bound to lead to the deepening of double standards", said Kelam. "Clearly, Nazism and fascism are not considered an internal matter of any Member State. Every emergence of neo-Nazism is viewed as a direct threat to the common values of Europe, and rightly so."

"Whereas the European Socialists seem to turn their main attention to the threat of rewriting European history and to the need of avoiding party political interpretations of it, the EPP-ED considers its main task is to bring about an honest and thorough debate on all totalitarian crimes of the past century with the aim of providing the 'never again' guarantee, also for the tens of millions of victims of totalitarian Communist regimes. This will be our contribution to the overcoming of the still existing mental and historic inequalities."

"What we aspire for is a moral and political assessment of these regimes. Naturally, you cannot criminalise individuals on the grounds of political statements. Each concrete case belongs to an impartial court", Kelam continued.

The EPP-ED Group has been encouraged by the concluding statement by Commissioner Barrot that the EU, too, sees its responsibility to find out the whole truth as well as to guarantee that horrible forms of repression and totalitarian crimes never return.

On the basis of yesterday's debate, the EPP-ED Group sees a promising common ground where political groups can make a joint effort in addressing the totalitarian crimes in an objective and comprehensive way. "It is first of all a cross-party issue", said Kelam. "It is a deeply human problem of truth and moral justice which we are all called to achieve together. In this way, we can look forward to reaching a Europe-wide reconciliation on the tragic events of the 20th century."

Laar calls for common EU stance on Russia

2007-11-12

BERLIN -- Speaking at the opening event of the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, the chairman of Estonia's Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) Mart Laar called on Europe to form a common foreign policy in dealing with Russia.

"Europe has left countries which are aspiring to adopt a Western orientation, such as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, under pressure from Russia and hasn't helped them effectively, focusing on economic cooperation with Russia," Laar, twice former prime minister of Estonia, said.

At the same event a report on EU-Russia relations was presented which criticizes the current lack of coordination in Europe's policy toward Russia.

Laar said that apart from political support, countries seeking a Western orientation need concrete measures of support such as the conclusion of free trade treaties and eased visa regulations.

"Europe has granted Russia more privileges in a number of areas than to Ukraine or Georgia," Laar said.

Laar also expressed his concern over the halting of the EU enlargement process, which may lead to a new destabilization of the situation in the Balkans.

The session of the European Council on Foreign Relations was opened on Friday by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The European Council on Foreign Relations was launched in October 2007 to promote a more integrated European foreign policy in support of shared European interests and values. ECFR was founded by a council whose members include serving and former ministers and parliamentarians, business leaders, academics, journalists and public intellectuals. Their aim is to promote a new strategic culture at the heart of European foreign policy.

Source: The Baltic Times in cooperation with BNS

Estonian MEP calls for external energy coordinator

2007-07-18

BRUSSELS - Tunne Kelam, an Estonian member of the European Parliament, has told the EU it should appoint a coordinator for external energy policy.

Kelam made the proposal during a session of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, which was examining a report on the EU's common external energy policy by chairman of the committee, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski.

Kelam suggested a special representative of the EU should be created who in the future could serve as deputy to the EU's foreign policy chief in the coordination of common energy policy.

Fending off allegations from the Liberal group and a representative of the European Commission that the creation of such office would complicate the relationship between different institutions, Kelam said that these already complex relationships could only be coordinated by the special representative.

"Without a coordinator with concrete and political powers, problems will be left hanging in the domain of good intentions," said Kelam, an MEP from the European People's Party, part of the European Democrats group.

Kelam, who addressed the committee on behalf of the parliamentary group, said the main purpose of the report was to expand Europe's common foreign and security policy in the area of energy.

The document by the foreign affairs committee wants the European Council and the Commission to present concrete guidelines for shaping the EU's common external policy on energy by the end of this year.

The second key issue, according to Kelam, is political will on the part of EU member states and the Commission to ensure adherence by third parties - including Russia - to the union's competition rules and the principle of equality on the energy market.

The full meeting of the European Parliament is due to take a decision regarding external policy on energy in the last week of September.

Kelam urged his colleagues in the foreign affairs committee to send a message as united and strong as possible that the creation of a common EU external energy policy must not be delayed.

Source: The Baltic Times - from wire reports

Tunne Kelam MEP: Arrest of Belarusian artist Alaksiej Marackin condemned

2007-03-25

A well-known Belarusian artist Alaksiej Marackin, whose exhibition in the European Parliament was opened two weeks ago by President Hans-Gert Pöttering, was arrested on March 24 by special militia and KGB officers in his atelier.

Marackin, who is the President of The World Association of Belarusians Batskauschyna (Fatherland) and Member of the Soim of the Belarusian Popular Front Party, has been sentenced to 5 days of administrative arrest for "swearing".

Slogans and leaflets on the commemoration of the Belarusian National Republic 's 90th anniversary for the rally on 25 March were confiscated from Marackin.

"Undoubtedly, this arrest is related to the authorities' wish to stop the Belarus opposition celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic today, 25 March", said Tunne Kelam MEP.

"The EU must show solidarity with the Belarusian opposition which is today celebrating Freedom Day which marks the proclamation of the Belarus National Republic on 25 March 1918", stated Kelam.

"We must not forget that Belarus - a neighbour of the European Union - is still a country with dictatorship and where human rights are violated", concluded Kelam.