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The President of the Republic spoke on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia
20.08.2002


President Arnold Rüütel today at the Toompea Castle participated in the festive event on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia in which members of the Club of the 20th August took part.

The President of the Republic, Mrs Ingrid Rüütel and the Chairman of the Riigikogu, after their arrival at Toompea, were greeted by people having gathered in the castle square. President Rüütel shook hands with and talked to the people in the course of half an hour.

At the event, the President of the Republic delivered a speech remembering what had happened on the territory of the Republic of Estonia in August 1991 when, owing to our political accord and decisive action, the Republic of Estonia had been restored. In his speech, the Head of State underscored the need to conclude a new national pact in order to level out sharply split interests and to orientate us, first of all, towards a more caring use of our human capital. As one of the cornerstones of this social contract, President Rüütel put forward fostering the increase in birthrate and our society to be concentrated on the child. According to the Head State, this priority was to be made a contractual criterion, based on which all what was going on in Estonia – starting off by legislation and ending by state budget items – would be assessed. As another cornerstone of the pact, the President put forward the education, its contents and system. ''The competitiveness of the state and people of Estonia, first and foremost, depends on education,'' President Rüütel said, ''but the development potential of our culture depends on that as well.''

The President of the Republic thanked the restorers of our sovereignty and called on the people to show the same kind of accord due to which our independence was regained 11 years ago. ''The roots of every tree join together in its trunk. So, let us do our utmost to make the Estonian trunk to withstand all winds and storms!'' President Rüütel said.

Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, August 20, 2002


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