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The President's Round Table of National Minorities held a meeting
02.04.2002


The President's Round Table of National Minorities tonight at Kadriorg held a meeting to discuss ways of financing the cultural societies of national minorities and the action plan for this year. Speeches were given by Madis Järv, Adviser in the Ministry of Culture; Maie Soll, Adviser in the Policy Department of the Ministry of Education; Mati Luik, Director of the Foundation for Integration; and Ene Vohu, representative of the Board of Cultural Heritage.

Legal Chancellor Allar Jõks and Deputy Legal Chancellor-Adviser Mihkel Oviir also took the floor introducing to the members of the round table the functions and working order of ombudsman, and the present practices in the fields linked with national minorities. It was noted jointly that, as a rule, people are not aware of their rights and do not know to which institution they should turn for the protection of those rights. The institution of ombudsman will work to bring about considerable changes on that score.

The round table also approved amendments to the Statutes of the President`s Round Table of National Minorities according to which, in addition to the experts body of the round table, meetings of the representatives of cultural societies shall be convened at least twice a year.

In compliance with the new statutes, the President of the Republic shall be represented at the round table by his Plenipotentiary, Andra Veidemann, and the daily activities of the round table shall be organized by Hagi Šein and Adviser-Secretary Jana Krimpe.

The key issues of this year's action plan are going to be the legislation concerning the national minorities, issues resulting from European integration, the requirements for passing official language tests, and the premises and financial worries of the societies of national minorities.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, April 2, 2002


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