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The President of the Republic in Saaremaa entertains the Head of State of Latvia05.08.2002
The Presidents of Estonia and Latvia meeting today at Kuressaare expressed unanimously the conviction that the sphere of co-operation between our two neighbouring countries could be significantly expanded and concretized.
The President of the Republic and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel today at Kuressaare welcomed the President of the Republic of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, having arrived in Estonia with a working visit, and her husband Imants Freibergs.
In the Town Hall of Kuressaare, the guests were greeted by Mayor Jaanus Tamkivi who provided an overview of the history and present day of both the Town and the Town Hall of Kuressaare. The Heads of State made their entries in the visitors` book of the town and planted two oak trees in Lossipark (Castle's Park), with it today laying the foundations of Kuressaare's Boulevard of Heads of State. Thereafter the Presidents and their entourage visited the Bishop's Castle.
At the working meeting of the Presidents, which took place late in the afternoon, the talks between the Presidents were guided by the desire to find in our co-operation support to the aspirations of both countries, and to bring the neighbouring peoples closer together. The Latvian President told that she had recently met with farmers and food producers of her country voicing deep concern over low production quoatas to be implemented after Latvia`s accession to the European Union. President Rüütel confirmed that the Estonian producers shared this concern. And so, as expected, the Estonian Head of State approved the suggestion of the Latvian President to address the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, with recommendations to adjust the quotas offered concidering the specific circumstances of each of the candidate countries. In view of the Estonian Head of State, the system of direct agricultural payments in the European Union equally needed reforming in order to foster organic and sustainable farming more than hitherto. The Presidents at their meeting also discussed how to better use tourism for the purpose of strengthening the contacts between our two neighbouring peoples. President Rüütel pointed out that the histories of Estonia and Latvia were tightly intertwined and this not last thanks to points of contact in Saaremaa. Hence, the efforts of the residents of Saaremaa to establish a regular shipping link between Kuressaare and Riga were only natural. The Latvian Head of State said that this was a magnificent idea, realization of which would be welcomed by many Europeans keen on travelling. As noted by the Governor of the Saare County, Jüri Saar, who participated in the meeting, this shipping line might prove advantageous also to the northern neighbours of the Estonians - the Finns, if Helsinki could as one of the destinations be added to the route.
The President of the Republic opined that maritime tourism might have good prospects as well, for Estonia's beautiful islands and islets definitely would be of interest to our neighbours. On top of that, the Estonian islands in President's view offered a variety of such high-level cultural events like the recent Kuressaare Opera Festival, where also internationally recognized Latvian musicians had performed. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga with pleasure accepted the proposal of the Estonian Head of State that the three Baltic Presidents should meet regularly. President Rüütel explained: "There are many issues - consulting on which - we would coordinate our positions and thus, together better prepare for the accession to both NATO an the EU." The President of the Republic gave the Latvian Head of State as a present a work of Peeter Rudash, an artist-glass blower. Tomorrow, the artist's glass workshop will be visited by the Presidents and their entourage. This evening, the Heads of State visited the Vilsandi National Park, and County Governor Jüri Saar hosted a dinner in honour of the guests. Tomorrow, the Latvian President will continue with her tour of Saaremaa. She will be accompanied by President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, August 5, 2002
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