FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
CULTURAL NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
Baltic presidents thank Bush for NATO support
Nov 23 – The presidents of the three Baltic States met with US President George W. Bush in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius to thank him for his support for their countries receiving invitations to join NATO.
President Bush told the NATO invitees they had the full protection of American military might in confronting any future aggression. He emphasised that NATO's security guarantee was backed by the US armed forces.
"Our alliance has made a solemn pledge of protection. Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America," he told the people gathered in Vilnius Town Hall square.
The Estonian head of state, President Arnold Rüütel, said the Baltic States had reached a milestone in their history. "We hope to become members of NATO in the year 2004, but until then a great deal still remains to be done," he said. Estonia had been doing its homework for many years to strengthen its defence forces and to develop international cooperation, the president added.
Rüütel was accompanied in Vilnius by Defence Minister Sven Mikser, Chief of the Defence Forces Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts, and Estonian Ambassador to Lithuania Rein Oidekivi.
Estonian politicians speak against a centralized Europe
Nov 19 - Estonian politicians, speaking Estonian for the first time in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, expressed their concern about the tendencies of centralization in the Convention for the Future of Europe and warned these may affect the readiness of the Estonian people to accede to the European Union (EU).
"Citizens should not get the impression that somewhere far away in Brussels incomprehensible decisions are made that apply to our citizens, but which none of our citizens can affect," said Peeter Kreitzberg, Deputy Speaker of the Estonian Parliament and a member of the Centre Party, at a meeting of representatives of the European Parliament with representatives from the parliaments of the candidate countries. Kreitzberg added that people should not perceive the EU as a foreign power beyond the influence of its member countries and their citizens. "Our bad historical experience makes many people apprehensive as soon as they hear the word "federalism" or that we are delegating a part of our sovereign decisions to the European Union," he said.
Kreitzberg supported plans for stipulating the procedure of secession from the EU in the constitutional treaty of the EU.
Janno Reiljan, from the non-aligned People's Union, also spoke at the European Parliament's plenary session, and he addressed three issues that he said constituted sources of tension. He said the draft constitution of the EU prepared in the Convention revealed clear attempts to gradually turn the union of countries into a state functioning on federalist principles. "A presentation of the principle of federalism in the final document of the Convention may significantly reduce the possibility of the Estonian people supporting accession to the EU," he warned. Reiljan said that in the accession terms offered to Estonia, the principle of unequal treatment had been written into the accession terms in some spheres of Europe's common agricultural policy (CAP). He said that this was understandable due to a shortage of money in the budgetary period until 2006, but that it must not continue after 2007, because, otherwise, manifestations of differently treated "two Europes" would aggravate political tensions. In addition, Reiljan demanded higher production quotas for Estonia regarding staple foods, which would ensure Estonia's domestic consumption and make it possible to maintain the value of arable land and create a basis for the development of rural life.
President Rüütel meets with Austrian president
Nov 19 – Estonian President Arnold Rüütel met with Austrian President Thomas Klestil in Vienna, where they discussed the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union and NATO.
Talking about the future of the European Union's and NATO's new member states, both presidents put great emphasis on such keywords like speed of development, efficiency and multitude of opportunities. In addition, they touched upon the future relations of the European Union and NATO and their new members with Russia and Ukraine.
Estonian president visits Italy
Nov 22 - Estonian President Arnold Rüütel met with his Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in Rome, where the Italian head of state congratulated Estonia on receiving an invitation to join NATO in Prague. Ciampi and Rüütel agreed that Estonia's membership in both NATO and the European Union would give a new dimension to bilateral relations.
Ciampi said he admired the achievements of Estonia and the other Baltic States both in the first half of the last century and in the past decade. The president was also pleased to note that Estonia had enriched European common culture.
Speaking about the EU, Ciampi underscored the need for several economic and institutional changes. Rüütel and Ciampi stressed that cooperation and taking member countries' specific characteristics into consideration was a prerequisite for a strong union.
President Rüütel also met with the chairman of the Italian Parliament's Upper House, Marcello Pera. The president and Pera said they believed that Estonia's forthcoming entry into NATO, and hopefully also the speedy accession to the European Union, would open up new opportunities for the development of bilateral relations and a widening of both trade and cultural ties. They expressed satisfaction over the progress of mutual educational programmes, in particular language training. Rüütel emphasized that culture was the strongest material for building bridges between the two countries.
Leader of Russian right believes in partnership with Estonia
Nov 23 - Estonia's entry into NATO may promote Estonian-Russian cooperation, but seeking membership in the European Union does not serve Estonians' interest, said Boris Nemtsov, a leading figure of the Russian right. Nemtsov, chairman of the Union of Right Forces, spoke at a conference in Tallinn and congratulated Estonia on being invited to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
"It's been a dream for many people present here – my congratulations on its coming true," said Nemtsov. "It may sound paradoxical, but Estonia's entry into NATO will help Russia and Estonia to get along better /.../ because it will free both sides from complexes," Nemtsov said. After joining the alliance, Estonia will for psychological reasons feel better protected, while Russia's suspicions of the alliance will diminish, he added.
At the same time Nemtsov criticized Estonia's bid for membership in the EU, calling it a socialist organization. "For Russia, accession to the EU would be an advantage, but for the liberal Estonia it's an obvious minus. The EU is much too socialistic for the capitalist Estonia, too bureaucratic," the politician said, expressing regret that Estonia would not be able to stop the process.
During his meeting with Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland, Nemtsov praised Estonia's economic reforms and effective tax system. Ojuland introduced Estonia's income tax reform to Nemtsov and said that hopefully the right-leaning forces in Russia would continue the liberalisation process of the Russian economy. "Naturally I'm glad that there are political forces in Russia who wish to see Estonian reforms as an example in shaping their economy," Ojuland said. Nemtsov admitted that Estonia was far ahead of Russia in liberalising its economy.
UN discusses Estonian report on implementation of international pact
Nov 20 – Estonia held discussions in Geneva with the United Nations regarding the pact on economic, social and cultural rights. The Estonian delegation was headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Deputy Under-Secretary Marina Kaljurand at the 29th session of the supervisory committee.
Kaljurand said the committee asked the Estonian delegation about the fulfilment of obligations under the international pact, about the competencies of the legal chancellor, equal treatment of women, minimum pay and the consumer price index, child labour, pension reform and about ethnic minorities' rights.
The committee will release a summary of its report recommendations later.
The international pact on economic, social and cultural rights was adopted on December 16 in New York and it took effect with respect to Estonia as of January 21, 1992.
Estonian, Finnish, Russian border guards discuss cooperation
Nov 22 - Senior Border Guard officials of Estonia, Finland and Russia discussed cooperation issues at their meeting in the Pskov Region of Russia. The meeting addressed the border situation, the results of a meeting of the tripartite specialists' working groups and the plan of cooperation for next year.
The Russian delegation was headed by the chief of the Border Guard North-western Region, three-star general Alexander Golbakh, Finland by Deputy Head of the Border Guard Rear Admiral Jaakko Smolander and Estonia by Chief of Staff of the Border Guard Colonel Aare Evisalu.
DEFENCE NEWS
NATO invites Estonia to join
Nov 21 - NATO invited seven new members, including Estonia, to join the alliance, thus enlarging the NATO zone from the Baltic to the Black Sea. NATO Secretary General George Robertson extended the invitations at the summit of the alliance in Prague, calling it a "transformation summit".
"This round of enlargement will maintain NATO's strength and its vitality as well," Robertson said at the opening of the NATO summit. "NATO will become an even more powerful and effective ally to all, including the European Union and Russia," said Robertson, confirming that the membership of new countries would not work against anyone's security interests.
Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas thanked the heads of NATO member states for their support and for presenting Estonia an invitation to NATO. "I would like to thank NATO leaders for that historical decision and for acknowledging our efforts, and for your support and cooperation during the path that led to it," Kallas said.
Kallas said that presenting the invitation to join NATO was a serious vote of confidence and that Estonia understood the obligations accompanying it. "The rules of the game are clear," Kallas said. "Collective security and defence also means collective responsibility. No country should become a burden for others. We, Estonians, know that and wish to give our contribution," Kallas said.
"Estonia's security has never been more protected than after receiving the invitation," said Sulev Kannike, Estonia's ambassador to NATO. "Five seconds after receiving the invitation, our security is better than a few seconds ago."
The membership of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria will have to be approved by the parliaments of current NATO members. With the inclusion of new member states, NATO expanded the circle of those countries where democracy was being guaranteed, Robertson said.
The first round of membership talks may take place in the first week of December at the earliest. The talks will determine the proportion each new member pays into the NATO civil, military and investment budget.
The membership protocol of Estonia was likely to be signed in April, said Kannike. "In May and June our ministers of defence and foreign affairs can participate at NATO ministerial meetings as observers," Kannike said.
PM: Estonia sees NATO's trust in invitation
Nov 21 - Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas, speaking at the NATO summit in Prague, said that Estonia could see serious trust behind the invitation for membership in the alliance. Kallas declared in his speech that each country, regardless of its economic resources and size, would give its contribution to guaranteeing international security. "The rules of the game are clear, collective security means collective responsibility," Kallas said.
Kallas also spoke of the membership talks that lie ahead and that these would be followed by ratification of the accession agreement in NATO countries' parliaments. "We will probably be NATO members in May 2004," Kallas said. "The ratification will be simple, because the United States in particular is keeping a very keen eye on whether we are carrying out our plans and observing our obligations and that we are allies that can be trusted." The prime minister said that NATO expected from Estonia steps in two spheres above all. The first one, which also requires more efforts, pertains to increasing Estonia's defence readiness, and continued improvement and strengthening of the Defence Forces. Kallas said much had to be done in that sphere in order to be ready to take part in operations to back international security.
The other sphere pertains to the development of Estonia’s democracy and market economy. "In this we will have hardly any problems," Kallas said.
Kallas said that Estonia would cope with the tasks. "The most important thing is not to promise what we cannot fulfil," he said. "And we have to fulfil what we have promised." The biggest political promise was the allocation of two per cent of the gross domestic product for defence spending, Kallas underlined.
Estonian president: serious work lies ahead
Nov 21 - President Arnold Rüütel said he was overjoyed at NATO's invitation to Estonia to begin membership talks, but he underlined that serious work still lay ahead.
"The invitation given to Estonia today means the achievement of an aim and simultaneously the beginning of a new stage in Estonian history," the president said. "The invitation was both a recognition to Estonia as well as an obligation."
Rüütel said that the invitation did not mean that Estonia’s efforts in building up its state defence were now over. "On the contrary -- talks with NATO are only beginning and there is serious work still ahead. Estonia is certainly ready to give its contribution to the consolidation of security and democratic values in Europe."
Defence Minister: Estonia wants to be good ally in creating global security
Nov 21 - Estonia wants to be a good ally and to give its contribution to guaranteeing global security, Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser said after Estonia was invited to join NATO. "After today's decision, Estonia for the first time in its history has a real chance to take part in formulating global security policies," Mikser said.
"We have no reason to doubt that the NATO security guarantee is not real and this will give us responsibilities and obligations," Mikser added.
"NATO’s invitation is an acknowledgement of the development of our Defence Forces," said the Chief of the Defence Forces Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts. "In a wider context it is the achievement of the whole nation."
"This is not a decision of the army chief, general staff or defence forces," Kõuts stressed. "NATO is joined by the country and this is the decision of the people." NATO membership also required economic effort from the whole nation, he added.
Estonia to focus on air surveillance, mine clearing in NATO
Nov 23 – The Estonian Defence Forces did not yet know what their niche in NATO would be, as the alliance had not yet asked them to specialize, but apparently they would have to concentrate on air surveillance and mine clearing, a statement from the headquarters of the Defence Forces said.
Minister of Defence Sven Mikser said that Estonia could specialize on mine clearing, mine hunting and air surveillance upon gaining membership in NATO.
As far as air surveillance is concerned, Estonia is already buying modern equipment. In December a modern 3-D radar FPS-117, purchased in the United States for 239 million kroons (EUR 15.27 mln), will arrive in Estonia, which will be operational before the end of the year. Analogous radars manufactured by the world's largest maker of weapons and radars, Lockheed Martin, are in use in almost all NATO member countries.
In addition to the primary radar, Estonia is buying two smaller radars that together with the first one will give a complete picture of the country's airspace. The radars are compatible with the Air Force's existing Lockheed Martin surveillance equipment donated by the United States.
As to mine clearing, Estonia could make its contribution as a member of NATO with the Navy’s two minesweepers and two mine hunters. For clearing land mines, Estonia has a pioneer unit of professional military personnel in its Scouts Battalion.
Estonia could contribute 1,000 men to NATO rapid reaction forces
Nov 22 - Estonia's contribution to the NATO rapid reaction forces could be around 1,000 men, said Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser. "Nobody is expecting a huge contribution or a large number of personnel from us," Mikser said. "What is expected is professionalism and concentration on niche operations where small units can be useful."
Mikser said that there had been talk about one Estonian battalion and some smaller specialised units like minesweeping and logistics teams.
Membership talks with NATO should not be difficult, Mikser said, while adding that the membership fee and its payment needed to be discussed. The more serious challenge is the development of infrastructure and the training of units for domestic and international obligations.
Relations with Russia should not be harmed by membership in NATO, Mikser said. "I believe that our relations with Russia will be pragmatic and good," he said. "Previous expansions of NATO have indicated that the relations of new members and Russia have not suffered."
Estonia cannot join Adapted CFE arms treaty
Nov 21 – Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Ivanov said that neither Estonia, nor any other new members of NATO, could accede to the Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, although Russia would like to see the Baltic States as members.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Adapted CFE treaty was not open to new members and could not be joined at the moment. "The Adapted CFE treaty was approved in 1999, and it allows new members to accede only after the treaty has been ratified by all member countries," the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson said. "Most of the member countries have not ratified it thus far." Estonia intended to join the treaty after it was opened to new members, the spokesperson added.
Russia reacted calmly to the NATO enlargement process because it was not a member of the organisation and did not intend to apply for membership, Ivanov said in Prague. If Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the Adapted CFE, it would boost stability in Europe, especially in its northern and north-western parts, Ivanov said.
In 1990, NATO and the Warsaw Pact states signed the CFE treaty, which was updated subsequently in 1999.
Madeleine Albright: NATO membership is not a gift but a responsibility
Nov 22 - The Estonian daily Postimees published an exclusive interview with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who said that something that at first seemed quite impossible – the invitation of the Baltic States to NATO – became so natural that it finally came true.
Albright said that the first NATO enlargement was successful, and pointed at the importance of the second round, the most emotional part of which was the invitation of the Baltic States. “I feel that in the Clinton administration we did the right thing to start the second round, and I am very glad that the Bush administration has continued it,” Albright said.
The former secretary of state then described the process of preparations for NATO enlargement, saying that opinions differed among the NATO members, as some members were against any enlargement at all. “The Baltic States seemed to be the most difficult issue because of their special relationship with Moscow,” she admitted.
Albright advised the would-be members of NATO that it was important to understand that NATO membership was not a gift, but a responsibility, and that each member of the alliance had a special role in NATO missions. “Brussels is now facing a major challenge – how to integrate countries of different sizes, experiences and possibilities into a functioning alliance. It is not easy, but it is worth the effort," Albright said. "This way we will be able to have the sort of Europe that we have always sought – a united, free and peaceful Europe.”
DOMESTIC NEWS
Estonia to accede to code of conduct against ballistic missiles
Nov 19 - The Estonian government approved Estonia's accession to the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. The conference for the signing of the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation will take place in The Hague, the Netherlands, on November 25-26.
The International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation is a development of the Missile Technology Control Regime, an unofficial international agreement signed by 33 countries. The aim of the code is to widen the range of countries preventing and curbing the proliferation of missile technology.
The Code of Conduct is a political, not a legally binding document. The Code calls on countries to prevent and curb the development, testing and positioning of ballistic missiles and not to assist countries that may be involved in illegal development and production of weapons of mass destruction. The code also appeals to caution in assistance to countries developing space programmes that may serve as a cover for the development of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons on mass destruction.
Poll: Pro Patria and Moderates could be left out of Riigikogu
Nov 30 - A poll by social and market research company Saar Poll indicates that the Centre Party would get 27% of the vote in the upcoming Riigikogu elections, while the Pro Patria Union and Moderates would be left out of the parliament.
The poll, carried out after the local municipality elections, where the Pro Patria Union and Moderates suffered similar defeats in the Tallinn City Council, indicates that the Moderates would get just 4.8% of the votes in the parliamentary elections in March, and the Pro Patria Union only 4.7%, both below the 5% threshold needed to get seats in the parliament.
Newcomer Res Publica, which did surprisingly well at local elections, would receive the support of 13.7% of the voters, the Reform Party 10.5%, and the People's Union 5.4%.
Approximately 15% of the people polled said they definitely would not cast their votes at the elections. The rest of those polled, or 18.9%, said they would either vote for smaller parties or for independent candidates, or they lacked an opinion on the issue.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Average gross wage grew 10.4 per cent in Q3
Nov 20 - In the third quarter of 2002 the average monthly gross wages and salaries of full-time and part-time employees of enterprises, institutions and organisations equalled 5,853 kroons, an increase of 10.4% from the year before, reported the Statistical Office.
In the third quarter the average hourly gross wages and salaries totalled 34.87 kroons, a growth of 9.7% over the same period last year.
The monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries were the highest in the area of financial intermediation - 2.1 times higher than the average monthly and the average hourly gross wages and salaries.
Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2001, the monthly gross wages and salaries in financial intermediation had increased by 9.7%, and the hourly gross wages and salaries had increased by 9.2%.
Monthly gross wages and salaries were the lowest in fisheries (includes fishing and fish farming), equal to 53.8% of the average monthly gross wages and salaries. The hourly gross wages and salaries were the lowest in the hotel and restaurant sector, equal to 56.7% of the average hourly gross wages and salaries.
The average monthly gross wages and salaries was 5,766 kroons in July, 5,761 in August and 6,018 kroons in September.
Unemployment in Estonia drops to eight-year low in Q3
Nov 22 – Estonia’s unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2002 was 9.1 per cent, which is the lowest rate in the last eight years, said the Statistical Office.
According to data from the Estonian Labour Force Survey, 597,000 people aged 15-74 were employed in the third quarter, 60,000 were unemployed and 390,000 were economically inactive, which includes students, homemakers, retired persons, discouraged persons, etc.
The unemployment rate was 9.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2002 and 11.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2001.
Economist sees fast economic growth in Estonia
Nov 19 - Economist Intelligence Unit estimates Estonia's 2003 economic growth will reach 5.2 per cent and that 2004 growth will be 6 per cent. The growth will be fuelled by strong domestic demand, the EIU said.
In 2004 the growth will be boosted by bigger demand in the European Union and a recovery of the Estonian telecommunications and electronics sector, Business Eastern Europe reported.
The volume of foreign investments in Estonia depends on the recovery of the Finnish and Swedish electronics industries that subcontract from Estonia. Strong domestic demand will keep Estonia’s current account deficit above 9 per cent of GDP in 2003. But in 2004 exports should start growing faster than imports and the deficit should form around 6 per cent of the GDP.
Speculative attacks against the Estonian kroon are possible due to the expanding current account deficit.
Inflation in Estonia should drop to 2.7 per cent in 2003, as local authorities cut expenses, and to 2.4 per cent in 2004, when Estonia concentrates on meeting the criteria of the EU Maastricht agreements.
The growth of salaries will continue and should prop up domestic consumption in 2003.
Eesti Telefon and EMT declared companies with significant market power for 2003
Nov 19 - Estonia's largest fixed-line telephone company Eesti Telefon and its largest cell phone firm EMT, both operated by Telia-Sonera-owned Eesti Telekom, were declared by the Estonian National Communications Board (ENCB) to be companies with significant market power for 2003. The ENCB based its decision on the market shares of the companies in 2001.
The market share of Eesti Telefon amounted to 89.22 per cent of the turnover of the telephone services market, 72.84 per cent of the turnover of the leased line service market, and 59.02 per cent of the turnover of the interconnection service market in 2001. Eesti Telefon was also declared an operator with significant market power for 2001 and 2002 in the public telephone service market, public leased line service market, and the public interconnection service market, and it is expected to be named also in 2003.
EMT was given the decision because it accounted for at least 25% of the turnover of the public mobile telephone services market. EMT was also declared a significant market power in 2002, and it expected the decision for 2003 in its forecasts.
A company with significant market power is obliged to make its prices cost-based and it cannot take big profits from its clients and other operators.
Elcoteq's Tallinn plant to make base stations for LGP
Nov 19 - Elcoteq and LGP Telecom AB of Sweden have signed an agreement concerning the manufacture of base station products for LGP in Elcoteq's plants in the Estonian capital Tallinn and Dongguan, China.
Manufacturing and shipment of the products to LGP have started in both plants. LGP's technology is used in telecom networks by nearly all major network suppliers and operators. "We are very happy about the relationship with LGP, which is yet another proof of the strength of Elcoteq's strategy," said Lasse Kurkilahti, president and CEO of Elcoteq.
LGP chose Elcoteq as its manufacturing partner for their commitment to high quality, production flexibility, and their understanding of radio frequency technology products, said Bengt Broman, president and CEO of LGP Telecom.
Grain transit via Estonia has grown 40 times in 2002
Nov 19 - Muuga Grain Terminal located in the Port of Tallinn has boosted grain handling 40 times this year. The terminal has handled 1.25 mln tonnes of grain since the beginning of the year, compared to 30,000 tonnes last year in the same period. Most of the grain is exported from east to the west.
Approximately 28 per cent of the grain comes from Russia and 72 per cent from Kazakhstan.
Muuga Grain Terminal is one of the largest on the Baltic Sea and among the largest in the world. It is capable of handling 5 mln tonnes of incoming and 2 mln tonnes of outgoing grain per year.
Estonian Air to start flying to Paris in spring
Nov 18 - The supervisory council of Estonian Air has decided in principle to launch a regular service between Tallinn and Paris next spring.
Estonian Air will start flying to Paris simultaneously with the shift to the summer timetable on March 30.
Hansapank and Ühispank clients can pay in shops using mobile phones
Nov 20 - Estonia's two largest banks, Hansapank and Eesti Ühispank, started offering a new service allowing their clients to pay in shops and other service venues using a mobile phone.
By calling a certain number, money is transferred from the bank account of the cell phone user to the account of the service provider. A separate bank account is not necessary and all transactions will be made on the existing bank account. Limits can be set on mobile payments. Mobile payments are free for users, just like card payments, but they will be charged for the call by the cell phone operator.
The users of all three cell phone networks in Estonia can join the system, but they must have accounts in Hansapank or Ühispank.
Currency Rates in Kroons
November 22, 2002
British pound - GBP - 24.702
Canadian dollar - CAD - 9.889
Swiss franc - CHF - 10.634
Danish krone - DKK - 2.106
Japanese yen - JPY - 0.127
Latvian lat - LVL - 26.016
Lithuanian lit - LTL - 4.531
Norwegian krone - NOK - 2.140
Russian rouble - RUB - 0.490
Swedish krona - SEK - 1.736
US dollar - USD - 15.608
Euro - EUR - 15.646
CULTURAL NEWS
Minister introduces Estonian culture in France
Nov 24 - Estonian Minister of Culture Margus Allikmaa attended the 11th Festival of Nordic Art and Literature in Caen, France.
The minister introduced to a round table panel “Nordic Estonia on the Threshold of Europe” at the festival Les Boreales. He also met with Henri-Louis Vedie, president of the Literature Centre and the cultural committee of the Lower Normandy regional government.
The round table brought together figures of French culture with their Estonian colleagues, including composer Arvo Pärt and poet Jaan Kaplinski. The meeting was attended by Estonian Ambassador to France Andres Talvik, Director of the Estonian Institute in Paris Anneli Kavald, composers Erkki-Sven Tüür and Helena Tulve, conductor Jaan-Eik Tulve, curator of the festival, Jerome Remy, conductor of the Ensemble Orchestra, Dominique Debart, and its drector, Emmanuelle Dormoy. There was also a concert of Pärt's music, Carte blanche, in the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Glorette.
BNFF 2002 began in Tallinn
Nov 23 – The Children's and Youth Festival Just Film Festival opened the 4th Black Night’s Film Festival in Tallinn with the Walt Disney animation film Treasure Planet. The Sleepwalkers Student Film Festival competition also started. 79 feature films, documentaries and animation films by media students from 26 countries take part in the competition. The main feature film program, beginning on Friday, November 29 offers the past two years’ best Scandinavian, Eastern European and Asian films, as well as films from other festivals. The films come from 47 countries; among them, there are 16 films that have been nominated for various awards of the European Film Academy. Eight films have been nominated for the Oscar prize in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.
For more information on BNFF, please see http://www.poff.ee
SPORTS NEWS
Šmigun won the World cup cross-country race in Kiruna
Nov 23 - Ladies 5 km freestyle race in skiing was very tight as the four best finished within 1.9 seconds from each other. After Kristina Šmigun passed finish line, it was certain that the first place was going to be divided between Šmigun and Evi Sachenbacher of Germany. Germany’s Claudia Künzel finished third and Beckie Scott from Canada was fourth.
Sachenbacher leads the standings with 129 points. Kristina Šmigun is on third place with 100 points.
EESTI RINGVAADE is compiled from local news services, including BNS and ETA, and is issued by the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Eesti Ringvaade is also available through the Internet at http://www.vm.ee
To subscribe please contact: [email protected]
DEFENCE NEWS
DOMESTIC NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
CULTURAL NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
FOREIGN NEWS
Baltic presidents thank Bush for NATO support
Nov 23 – The presidents of the three Baltic States met with US President George W. Bush in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius to thank him for his support for their countries receiving invitations to join NATO.
President Bush told the NATO invitees they had the full protection of American military might in confronting any future aggression. He emphasised that NATO's security guarantee was backed by the US armed forces.
"Our alliance has made a solemn pledge of protection. Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America," he told the people gathered in Vilnius Town Hall square.
The Estonian head of state, President Arnold Rüütel, said the Baltic States had reached a milestone in their history. "We hope to become members of NATO in the year 2004, but until then a great deal still remains to be done," he said. Estonia had been doing its homework for many years to strengthen its defence forces and to develop international cooperation, the president added.
Rüütel was accompanied in Vilnius by Defence Minister Sven Mikser, Chief of the Defence Forces Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts, and Estonian Ambassador to Lithuania Rein Oidekivi.
Estonian politicians speak against a centralized Europe
Nov 19 - Estonian politicians, speaking Estonian for the first time in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, expressed their concern about the tendencies of centralization in the Convention for the Future of Europe and warned these may affect the readiness of the Estonian people to accede to the European Union (EU).
"Citizens should not get the impression that somewhere far away in Brussels incomprehensible decisions are made that apply to our citizens, but which none of our citizens can affect," said Peeter Kreitzberg, Deputy Speaker of the Estonian Parliament and a member of the Centre Party, at a meeting of representatives of the European Parliament with representatives from the parliaments of the candidate countries. Kreitzberg added that people should not perceive the EU as a foreign power beyond the influence of its member countries and their citizens. "Our bad historical experience makes many people apprehensive as soon as they hear the word "federalism" or that we are delegating a part of our sovereign decisions to the European Union," he said.
Kreitzberg supported plans for stipulating the procedure of secession from the EU in the constitutional treaty of the EU.
Janno Reiljan, from the non-aligned People's Union, also spoke at the European Parliament's plenary session, and he addressed three issues that he said constituted sources of tension. He said the draft constitution of the EU prepared in the Convention revealed clear attempts to gradually turn the union of countries into a state functioning on federalist principles. "A presentation of the principle of federalism in the final document of the Convention may significantly reduce the possibility of the Estonian people supporting accession to the EU," he warned. Reiljan said that in the accession terms offered to Estonia, the principle of unequal treatment had been written into the accession terms in some spheres of Europe's common agricultural policy (CAP). He said that this was understandable due to a shortage of money in the budgetary period until 2006, but that it must not continue after 2007, because, otherwise, manifestations of differently treated "two Europes" would aggravate political tensions. In addition, Reiljan demanded higher production quotas for Estonia regarding staple foods, which would ensure Estonia's domestic consumption and make it possible to maintain the value of arable land and create a basis for the development of rural life.
President Rüütel meets with Austrian president
Nov 19 – Estonian President Arnold Rüütel met with Austrian President Thomas Klestil in Vienna, where they discussed the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union and NATO.
Talking about the future of the European Union's and NATO's new member states, both presidents put great emphasis on such keywords like speed of development, efficiency and multitude of opportunities. In addition, they touched upon the future relations of the European Union and NATO and their new members with Russia and Ukraine.
Estonian president visits Italy
Nov 22 - Estonian President Arnold Rüütel met with his Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in Rome, where the Italian head of state congratulated Estonia on receiving an invitation to join NATO in Prague. Ciampi and Rüütel agreed that Estonia's membership in both NATO and the European Union would give a new dimension to bilateral relations.
Ciampi said he admired the achievements of Estonia and the other Baltic States both in the first half of the last century and in the past decade. The president was also pleased to note that Estonia had enriched European common culture.
Speaking about the EU, Ciampi underscored the need for several economic and institutional changes. Rüütel and Ciampi stressed that cooperation and taking member countries' specific characteristics into consideration was a prerequisite for a strong union.
President Rüütel also met with the chairman of the Italian Parliament's Upper House, Marcello Pera. The president and Pera said they believed that Estonia's forthcoming entry into NATO, and hopefully also the speedy accession to the European Union, would open up new opportunities for the development of bilateral relations and a widening of both trade and cultural ties. They expressed satisfaction over the progress of mutual educational programmes, in particular language training. Rüütel emphasized that culture was the strongest material for building bridges between the two countries.
Leader of Russian right believes in partnership with Estonia
Nov 23 - Estonia's entry into NATO may promote Estonian-Russian cooperation, but seeking membership in the European Union does not serve Estonians' interest, said Boris Nemtsov, a leading figure of the Russian right. Nemtsov, chairman of the Union of Right Forces, spoke at a conference in Tallinn and congratulated Estonia on being invited to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
"It's been a dream for many people present here – my congratulations on its coming true," said Nemtsov. "It may sound paradoxical, but Estonia's entry into NATO will help Russia and Estonia to get along better /.../ because it will free both sides from complexes," Nemtsov said. After joining the alliance, Estonia will for psychological reasons feel better protected, while Russia's suspicions of the alliance will diminish, he added.
At the same time Nemtsov criticized Estonia's bid for membership in the EU, calling it a socialist organization. "For Russia, accession to the EU would be an advantage, but for the liberal Estonia it's an obvious minus. The EU is much too socialistic for the capitalist Estonia, too bureaucratic," the politician said, expressing regret that Estonia would not be able to stop the process.
During his meeting with Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland, Nemtsov praised Estonia's economic reforms and effective tax system. Ojuland introduced Estonia's income tax reform to Nemtsov and said that hopefully the right-leaning forces in Russia would continue the liberalisation process of the Russian economy. "Naturally I'm glad that there are political forces in Russia who wish to see Estonian reforms as an example in shaping their economy," Ojuland said. Nemtsov admitted that Estonia was far ahead of Russia in liberalising its economy.
UN discusses Estonian report on implementation of international pact
Nov 20 – Estonia held discussions in Geneva with the United Nations regarding the pact on economic, social and cultural rights. The Estonian delegation was headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Deputy Under-Secretary Marina Kaljurand at the 29th session of the supervisory committee.
Kaljurand said the committee asked the Estonian delegation about the fulfilment of obligations under the international pact, about the competencies of the legal chancellor, equal treatment of women, minimum pay and the consumer price index, child labour, pension reform and about ethnic minorities' rights.
The committee will release a summary of its report recommendations later.
The international pact on economic, social and cultural rights was adopted on December 16 in New York and it took effect with respect to Estonia as of January 21, 1992.
Estonian, Finnish, Russian border guards discuss cooperation
Nov 22 - Senior Border Guard officials of Estonia, Finland and Russia discussed cooperation issues at their meeting in the Pskov Region of Russia. The meeting addressed the border situation, the results of a meeting of the tripartite specialists' working groups and the plan of cooperation for next year.
The Russian delegation was headed by the chief of the Border Guard North-western Region, three-star general Alexander Golbakh, Finland by Deputy Head of the Border Guard Rear Admiral Jaakko Smolander and Estonia by Chief of Staff of the Border Guard Colonel Aare Evisalu.
DEFENCE NEWS
NATO invites Estonia to join
Nov 21 - NATO invited seven new members, including Estonia, to join the alliance, thus enlarging the NATO zone from the Baltic to the Black Sea. NATO Secretary General George Robertson extended the invitations at the summit of the alliance in Prague, calling it a "transformation summit".
"This round of enlargement will maintain NATO's strength and its vitality as well," Robertson said at the opening of the NATO summit. "NATO will become an even more powerful and effective ally to all, including the European Union and Russia," said Robertson, confirming that the membership of new countries would not work against anyone's security interests.
Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas thanked the heads of NATO member states for their support and for presenting Estonia an invitation to NATO. "I would like to thank NATO leaders for that historical decision and for acknowledging our efforts, and for your support and cooperation during the path that led to it," Kallas said.
Kallas said that presenting the invitation to join NATO was a serious vote of confidence and that Estonia understood the obligations accompanying it. "The rules of the game are clear," Kallas said. "Collective security and defence also means collective responsibility. No country should become a burden for others. We, Estonians, know that and wish to give our contribution," Kallas said.
"Estonia's security has never been more protected than after receiving the invitation," said Sulev Kannike, Estonia's ambassador to NATO. "Five seconds after receiving the invitation, our security is better than a few seconds ago."
The membership of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria will have to be approved by the parliaments of current NATO members. With the inclusion of new member states, NATO expanded the circle of those countries where democracy was being guaranteed, Robertson said.
The first round of membership talks may take place in the first week of December at the earliest. The talks will determine the proportion each new member pays into the NATO civil, military and investment budget.
The membership protocol of Estonia was likely to be signed in April, said Kannike. "In May and June our ministers of defence and foreign affairs can participate at NATO ministerial meetings as observers," Kannike said.
PM: Estonia sees NATO's trust in invitation
Nov 21 - Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas, speaking at the NATO summit in Prague, said that Estonia could see serious trust behind the invitation for membership in the alliance. Kallas declared in his speech that each country, regardless of its economic resources and size, would give its contribution to guaranteeing international security. "The rules of the game are clear, collective security means collective responsibility," Kallas said.
Kallas also spoke of the membership talks that lie ahead and that these would be followed by ratification of the accession agreement in NATO countries' parliaments. "We will probably be NATO members in May 2004," Kallas said. "The ratification will be simple, because the United States in particular is keeping a very keen eye on whether we are carrying out our plans and observing our obligations and that we are allies that can be trusted." The prime minister said that NATO expected from Estonia steps in two spheres above all. The first one, which also requires more efforts, pertains to increasing Estonia's defence readiness, and continued improvement and strengthening of the Defence Forces. Kallas said much had to be done in that sphere in order to be ready to take part in operations to back international security.
The other sphere pertains to the development of Estonia’s democracy and market economy. "In this we will have hardly any problems," Kallas said.
Kallas said that Estonia would cope with the tasks. "The most important thing is not to promise what we cannot fulfil," he said. "And we have to fulfil what we have promised." The biggest political promise was the allocation of two per cent of the gross domestic product for defence spending, Kallas underlined.
Estonian president: serious work lies ahead
Nov 21 - President Arnold Rüütel said he was overjoyed at NATO's invitation to Estonia to begin membership talks, but he underlined that serious work still lay ahead.
"The invitation given to Estonia today means the achievement of an aim and simultaneously the beginning of a new stage in Estonian history," the president said. "The invitation was both a recognition to Estonia as well as an obligation."
Rüütel said that the invitation did not mean that Estonia’s efforts in building up its state defence were now over. "On the contrary -- talks with NATO are only beginning and there is serious work still ahead. Estonia is certainly ready to give its contribution to the consolidation of security and democratic values in Europe."
Defence Minister: Estonia wants to be good ally in creating global security
Nov 21 - Estonia wants to be a good ally and to give its contribution to guaranteeing global security, Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser said after Estonia was invited to join NATO. "After today's decision, Estonia for the first time in its history has a real chance to take part in formulating global security policies," Mikser said.
"We have no reason to doubt that the NATO security guarantee is not real and this will give us responsibilities and obligations," Mikser added.
"NATO’s invitation is an acknowledgement of the development of our Defence Forces," said the Chief of the Defence Forces Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts. "In a wider context it is the achievement of the whole nation."
"This is not a decision of the army chief, general staff or defence forces," Kõuts stressed. "NATO is joined by the country and this is the decision of the people." NATO membership also required economic effort from the whole nation, he added.
Estonia to focus on air surveillance, mine clearing in NATO
Nov 23 – The Estonian Defence Forces did not yet know what their niche in NATO would be, as the alliance had not yet asked them to specialize, but apparently they would have to concentrate on air surveillance and mine clearing, a statement from the headquarters of the Defence Forces said.
Minister of Defence Sven Mikser said that Estonia could specialize on mine clearing, mine hunting and air surveillance upon gaining membership in NATO.
As far as air surveillance is concerned, Estonia is already buying modern equipment. In December a modern 3-D radar FPS-117, purchased in the United States for 239 million kroons (EUR 15.27 mln), will arrive in Estonia, which will be operational before the end of the year. Analogous radars manufactured by the world's largest maker of weapons and radars, Lockheed Martin, are in use in almost all NATO member countries.
In addition to the primary radar, Estonia is buying two smaller radars that together with the first one will give a complete picture of the country's airspace. The radars are compatible with the Air Force's existing Lockheed Martin surveillance equipment donated by the United States.
As to mine clearing, Estonia could make its contribution as a member of NATO with the Navy’s two minesweepers and two mine hunters. For clearing land mines, Estonia has a pioneer unit of professional military personnel in its Scouts Battalion.
Estonia could contribute 1,000 men to NATO rapid reaction forces
Nov 22 - Estonia's contribution to the NATO rapid reaction forces could be around 1,000 men, said Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser. "Nobody is expecting a huge contribution or a large number of personnel from us," Mikser said. "What is expected is professionalism and concentration on niche operations where small units can be useful."
Mikser said that there had been talk about one Estonian battalion and some smaller specialised units like minesweeping and logistics teams.
Membership talks with NATO should not be difficult, Mikser said, while adding that the membership fee and its payment needed to be discussed. The more serious challenge is the development of infrastructure and the training of units for domestic and international obligations.
Relations with Russia should not be harmed by membership in NATO, Mikser said. "I believe that our relations with Russia will be pragmatic and good," he said. "Previous expansions of NATO have indicated that the relations of new members and Russia have not suffered."
Estonia cannot join Adapted CFE arms treaty
Nov 21 – Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Ivanov said that neither Estonia, nor any other new members of NATO, could accede to the Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, although Russia would like to see the Baltic States as members.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Adapted CFE treaty was not open to new members and could not be joined at the moment. "The Adapted CFE treaty was approved in 1999, and it allows new members to accede only after the treaty has been ratified by all member countries," the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson said. "Most of the member countries have not ratified it thus far." Estonia intended to join the treaty after it was opened to new members, the spokesperson added.
Russia reacted calmly to the NATO enlargement process because it was not a member of the organisation and did not intend to apply for membership, Ivanov said in Prague. If Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the Adapted CFE, it would boost stability in Europe, especially in its northern and north-western parts, Ivanov said.
In 1990, NATO and the Warsaw Pact states signed the CFE treaty, which was updated subsequently in 1999.
Madeleine Albright: NATO membership is not a gift but a responsibility
Nov 22 - The Estonian daily Postimees published an exclusive interview with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who said that something that at first seemed quite impossible – the invitation of the Baltic States to NATO – became so natural that it finally came true.
Albright said that the first NATO enlargement was successful, and pointed at the importance of the second round, the most emotional part of which was the invitation of the Baltic States. “I feel that in the Clinton administration we did the right thing to start the second round, and I am very glad that the Bush administration has continued it,” Albright said.
The former secretary of state then described the process of preparations for NATO enlargement, saying that opinions differed among the NATO members, as some members were against any enlargement at all. “The Baltic States seemed to be the most difficult issue because of their special relationship with Moscow,” she admitted.
Albright advised the would-be members of NATO that it was important to understand that NATO membership was not a gift, but a responsibility, and that each member of the alliance had a special role in NATO missions. “Brussels is now facing a major challenge – how to integrate countries of different sizes, experiences and possibilities into a functioning alliance. It is not easy, but it is worth the effort," Albright said. "This way we will be able to have the sort of Europe that we have always sought – a united, free and peaceful Europe.”
DOMESTIC NEWS
Estonia to accede to code of conduct against ballistic missiles
Nov 19 - The Estonian government approved Estonia's accession to the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. The conference for the signing of the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation will take place in The Hague, the Netherlands, on November 25-26.
The International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation is a development of the Missile Technology Control Regime, an unofficial international agreement signed by 33 countries. The aim of the code is to widen the range of countries preventing and curbing the proliferation of missile technology.
The Code of Conduct is a political, not a legally binding document. The Code calls on countries to prevent and curb the development, testing and positioning of ballistic missiles and not to assist countries that may be involved in illegal development and production of weapons of mass destruction. The code also appeals to caution in assistance to countries developing space programmes that may serve as a cover for the development of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons on mass destruction.
Poll: Pro Patria and Moderates could be left out of Riigikogu
Nov 30 - A poll by social and market research company Saar Poll indicates that the Centre Party would get 27% of the vote in the upcoming Riigikogu elections, while the Pro Patria Union and Moderates would be left out of the parliament.
The poll, carried out after the local municipality elections, where the Pro Patria Union and Moderates suffered similar defeats in the Tallinn City Council, indicates that the Moderates would get just 4.8% of the votes in the parliamentary elections in March, and the Pro Patria Union only 4.7%, both below the 5% threshold needed to get seats in the parliament.
Newcomer Res Publica, which did surprisingly well at local elections, would receive the support of 13.7% of the voters, the Reform Party 10.5%, and the People's Union 5.4%.
Approximately 15% of the people polled said they definitely would not cast their votes at the elections. The rest of those polled, or 18.9%, said they would either vote for smaller parties or for independent candidates, or they lacked an opinion on the issue.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Average gross wage grew 10.4 per cent in Q3
Nov 20 - In the third quarter of 2002 the average monthly gross wages and salaries of full-time and part-time employees of enterprises, institutions and organisations equalled 5,853 kroons, an increase of 10.4% from the year before, reported the Statistical Office.
In the third quarter the average hourly gross wages and salaries totalled 34.87 kroons, a growth of 9.7% over the same period last year.
The monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries were the highest in the area of financial intermediation - 2.1 times higher than the average monthly and the average hourly gross wages and salaries.
Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2001, the monthly gross wages and salaries in financial intermediation had increased by 9.7%, and the hourly gross wages and salaries had increased by 9.2%.
Monthly gross wages and salaries were the lowest in fisheries (includes fishing and fish farming), equal to 53.8% of the average monthly gross wages and salaries. The hourly gross wages and salaries were the lowest in the hotel and restaurant sector, equal to 56.7% of the average hourly gross wages and salaries.
The average monthly gross wages and salaries was 5,766 kroons in July, 5,761 in August and 6,018 kroons in September.
Unemployment in Estonia drops to eight-year low in Q3
Nov 22 – Estonia’s unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2002 was 9.1 per cent, which is the lowest rate in the last eight years, said the Statistical Office.
According to data from the Estonian Labour Force Survey, 597,000 people aged 15-74 were employed in the third quarter, 60,000 were unemployed and 390,000 were economically inactive, which includes students, homemakers, retired persons, discouraged persons, etc.
The unemployment rate was 9.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2002 and 11.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2001.
Economist sees fast economic growth in Estonia
Nov 19 - Economist Intelligence Unit estimates Estonia's 2003 economic growth will reach 5.2 per cent and that 2004 growth will be 6 per cent. The growth will be fuelled by strong domestic demand, the EIU said.
In 2004 the growth will be boosted by bigger demand in the European Union and a recovery of the Estonian telecommunications and electronics sector, Business Eastern Europe reported.
The volume of foreign investments in Estonia depends on the recovery of the Finnish and Swedish electronics industries that subcontract from Estonia. Strong domestic demand will keep Estonia’s current account deficit above 9 per cent of GDP in 2003. But in 2004 exports should start growing faster than imports and the deficit should form around 6 per cent of the GDP.
Speculative attacks against the Estonian kroon are possible due to the expanding current account deficit.
Inflation in Estonia should drop to 2.7 per cent in 2003, as local authorities cut expenses, and to 2.4 per cent in 2004, when Estonia concentrates on meeting the criteria of the EU Maastricht agreements.
The growth of salaries will continue and should prop up domestic consumption in 2003.
Eesti Telefon and EMT declared companies with significant market power for 2003
Nov 19 - Estonia's largest fixed-line telephone company Eesti Telefon and its largest cell phone firm EMT, both operated by Telia-Sonera-owned Eesti Telekom, were declared by the Estonian National Communications Board (ENCB) to be companies with significant market power for 2003. The ENCB based its decision on the market shares of the companies in 2001.
The market share of Eesti Telefon amounted to 89.22 per cent of the turnover of the telephone services market, 72.84 per cent of the turnover of the leased line service market, and 59.02 per cent of the turnover of the interconnection service market in 2001. Eesti Telefon was also declared an operator with significant market power for 2001 and 2002 in the public telephone service market, public leased line service market, and the public interconnection service market, and it is expected to be named also in 2003.
EMT was given the decision because it accounted for at least 25% of the turnover of the public mobile telephone services market. EMT was also declared a significant market power in 2002, and it expected the decision for 2003 in its forecasts.
A company with significant market power is obliged to make its prices cost-based and it cannot take big profits from its clients and other operators.
Elcoteq's Tallinn plant to make base stations for LGP
Nov 19 - Elcoteq and LGP Telecom AB of Sweden have signed an agreement concerning the manufacture of base station products for LGP in Elcoteq's plants in the Estonian capital Tallinn and Dongguan, China.
Manufacturing and shipment of the products to LGP have started in both plants. LGP's technology is used in telecom networks by nearly all major network suppliers and operators. "We are very happy about the relationship with LGP, which is yet another proof of the strength of Elcoteq's strategy," said Lasse Kurkilahti, president and CEO of Elcoteq.
LGP chose Elcoteq as its manufacturing partner for their commitment to high quality, production flexibility, and their understanding of radio frequency technology products, said Bengt Broman, president and CEO of LGP Telecom.
Grain transit via Estonia has grown 40 times in 2002
Nov 19 - Muuga Grain Terminal located in the Port of Tallinn has boosted grain handling 40 times this year. The terminal has handled 1.25 mln tonnes of grain since the beginning of the year, compared to 30,000 tonnes last year in the same period. Most of the grain is exported from east to the west.
Approximately 28 per cent of the grain comes from Russia and 72 per cent from Kazakhstan.
Muuga Grain Terminal is one of the largest on the Baltic Sea and among the largest in the world. It is capable of handling 5 mln tonnes of incoming and 2 mln tonnes of outgoing grain per year.
Estonian Air to start flying to Paris in spring
Nov 18 - The supervisory council of Estonian Air has decided in principle to launch a regular service between Tallinn and Paris next spring.
Estonian Air will start flying to Paris simultaneously with the shift to the summer timetable on March 30.
Hansapank and Ühispank clients can pay in shops using mobile phones
Nov 20 - Estonia's two largest banks, Hansapank and Eesti Ühispank, started offering a new service allowing their clients to pay in shops and other service venues using a mobile phone.
By calling a certain number, money is transferred from the bank account of the cell phone user to the account of the service provider. A separate bank account is not necessary and all transactions will be made on the existing bank account. Limits can be set on mobile payments. Mobile payments are free for users, just like card payments, but they will be charged for the call by the cell phone operator.
The users of all three cell phone networks in Estonia can join the system, but they must have accounts in Hansapank or Ühispank.
Currency Rates in Kroons
November 22, 2002
British pound - GBP - 24.702
Canadian dollar - CAD - 9.889
Swiss franc - CHF - 10.634
Danish krone - DKK - 2.106
Japanese yen - JPY - 0.127
Latvian lat - LVL - 26.016
Lithuanian lit - LTL - 4.531
Norwegian krone - NOK - 2.140
Russian rouble - RUB - 0.490
Swedish krona - SEK - 1.736
US dollar - USD - 15.608
Euro - EUR - 15.646
CULTURAL NEWS
Minister introduces Estonian culture in France
Nov 24 - Estonian Minister of Culture Margus Allikmaa attended the 11th Festival of Nordic Art and Literature in Caen, France.
The minister introduced to a round table panel “Nordic Estonia on the Threshold of Europe” at the festival Les Boreales. He also met with Henri-Louis Vedie, president of the Literature Centre and the cultural committee of the Lower Normandy regional government.
The round table brought together figures of French culture with their Estonian colleagues, including composer Arvo Pärt and poet Jaan Kaplinski. The meeting was attended by Estonian Ambassador to France Andres Talvik, Director of the Estonian Institute in Paris Anneli Kavald, composers Erkki-Sven Tüür and Helena Tulve, conductor Jaan-Eik Tulve, curator of the festival, Jerome Remy, conductor of the Ensemble Orchestra, Dominique Debart, and its drector, Emmanuelle Dormoy. There was also a concert of Pärt's music, Carte blanche, in the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Glorette.
BNFF 2002 began in Tallinn
Nov 23 – The Children's and Youth Festival Just Film Festival opened the 4th Black Night’s Film Festival in Tallinn with the Walt Disney animation film Treasure Planet. The Sleepwalkers Student Film Festival competition also started. 79 feature films, documentaries and animation films by media students from 26 countries take part in the competition. The main feature film program, beginning on Friday, November 29 offers the past two years’ best Scandinavian, Eastern European and Asian films, as well as films from other festivals. The films come from 47 countries; among them, there are 16 films that have been nominated for various awards of the European Film Academy. Eight films have been nominated for the Oscar prize in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.
For more information on BNFF, please see http://www.poff.ee
SPORTS NEWS
Šmigun won the World cup cross-country race in Kiruna
Nov 23 - Ladies 5 km freestyle race in skiing was very tight as the four best finished within 1.9 seconds from each other. After Kristina Šmigun passed finish line, it was certain that the first place was going to be divided between Šmigun and Evi Sachenbacher of Germany. Germany’s Claudia Künzel finished third and Beckie Scott from Canada was fourth.
Sachenbacher leads the standings with 129 points. Kristina Šmigun is on third place with 100 points.
EESTI RINGVAADE is compiled from local news services, including BNS and ETA, and is issued by the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Eesti Ringvaade is also available through the Internet at http://www.vm.ee
To subscribe please contact: [email protected]
