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The President of the Republic Introducing the Press Event on November 20, 200120.11.2001
Dear journalists!
It is a great pleasure for me that my first state visit as the President of the Republic of Estonia is to the Republic of Finland.
President Halonen and I have just discussed matters related to the enlargement of the European Union and the future of Europe. We also spoke on topical matters of security policy. And of course, it was a pleasure to exchange thoughts on the excellent relations between Estonia and Finland.
Finland has been our main supporter on our way to the European Union.
I hope that within a few years we will be able to talk about Estonia as an EU member state. This will undoubtedly add another dimension to our unique partnership. Estonia's vision of the development of the European Union is similar to that of Finland, including adequate opportunity for small countries to have a say in all matters, and preference of open, democratic decision process.
Understandably, the acts of terrorism directed against the United States of America on September 11 have made it inevitable to improve security co-operation between different countries. As concerns Estonia and Finland, we can speak of a tradition in this line. Estonia's aspiration towards NATO will definitely not diminish any forms of co-operation that have developed between Estonia and Finland. Giving respect to each other's choices, both countries will proceed from the aim of general and stable security. This is also fully applicable to our relations with our neighbours. Like Finland, Estonia also aspires towards goodneighbourly and trustful relations with the Russian Federation. In this area, Estonia and Russia have several possibilities of further development.
Dear journalists. Quite recently, we read that as concerns economy, Finland is one of the most competitive countries in the world. Yet as concerns the openness of the economic environment, Estonia is now in the vanguard. Of course, Finland's success will be an inspiration to us. Finland in its turn can rely on Estonia - also my first state visit to the Republic of Finland as the Estonian President carries the same message.
Thank you for your attention.
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