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The President of the Republic met with the Prime Minister of Finland29.08.2002
President Arnold Rüütel this morning at Kadriorg discussed with Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen possibilities of developing the relations between Estonia and Finland.
In relations between the two countries, which in Presidents opinion are versatile and have advanced steadily, the Head of State still saw plentiful chances of improvement. He expressed his belief that many new opportunities would be brought about by Estonia's economic and social progress, but also due to its accession to NATO and the European Union. The President used as an example the changes in energy sector where Estonia, following the pattern of Finland and some other EU member states, would open up its market in a few years time. The President noted that it would also create new prerequisites for integration beneficial in economic terms and co-operation strengthening security in our region.
Paavo Lipponen supported the point of view according to which the chance to develop co-operation as member states of the European Union would bring about a new age of the Estonian-Finnish relationship. In Finnish Prime Minister's opinion, the strong sides of our neighbouring countries like Estonia already having a great port facilitated building in the Gulf of Finland a logistics-centre of paramount importance to the whole region.
At the meeting, also Estonia's and Finland's relations with neighbouring Russia were under discussion. As told by Prime Minister Lipponen, a promising pragmatic co-operation was progressing between the three countries. According to President Rüütel Estonia was interested in good-neighbourly and mutually beneficial relations with all neighbouring countries. The Estonian Head of State added that drawing on each other's experience would definitely expand the sphere of cross-border cooperation.
President Rüütel in conclusion thanked Finland for its versatile and efficient support to Estonia, first of all, in its preparations to join the European Union, but equally in developing security structures and environmental protection. "However, I am sure that there is a multitude of further possibilities to deepen our co-operation for the potential to build a still closer relationship between Estonia and Finland definitely hasn`t been exhausted," President Rüütel said.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, August 29, 2002
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