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The President of the Republic met with Romano Prodi28.11.2002
President Arnold Rüütel this afternoon in Brussels met with the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and the Enlargement Commissioner of the European Commission, Günter Verheugen, to discuss with them issues related to the European Union's enlargement.
The President paid attention, first of all, to the agricultural and environmental issues. Amongst other things, the President broached the subjects of increasing our milk quota and reference crop of cereals, and of the transition period to direct payments. The President also stressed that it was necessary to increase the direct farming subsidies. Speaking about the number of wild animals in Estonia, the President suggested that protection and hunting of bears and lynxes should remain within Estonia's purview.
Romano Prodi took interest in Estonia's public opinion and referendum on accession to the European Union. President Rüütel voiced confidence that the circumstance to what extent the European Union takes account of Estonia's requests definitely would affect the outcome of the referendum.
In Romano Prodi's estimation, the talks had been arduous so far. However, he expressed hope that, just like in the course of earlier talks in the history of the European Union, now too, mutually agreeable results could be achieved by the Copenhagen Summit.
In the morning, the Estonian Head of State had met with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Roger Briesch. President Rüütel provided him with an overview of the accession talks and questions still unsettled and spoke about regional development and social problems in Estonia. In addition, possibilities to cooperate for the sake of strengthening and promoting civil society in Estonia, and the role of the third sector in acquainting the people of Estonia with the European Union were under discussion.
In February 2002, the Joint Consultative Committee of the European Union and Estonia was established that has now met twice. The third meeting will take place in May 2003 at Narva.
The European Economic and Social Committee is a consultative assembly, in which organisations and associations of civil society can pronounce on the matters of the European Union. The main task of the committee is to enhance civil society's contribution to the European Union's activities.
President Rüütel will return to Tallinn at midnight tonight.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 28, 2002
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