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The President of the Republic met with the President of Finland16.09.2002
President Arnold Rüütel attending the European Economic Summit in Salzburg late this afternoon discussed with Finnish President Tarja Halonen the co-operation between our two neighbouring countries before and after the European Union's enlargement.
President Tarja Halonen assured that Finland unconditionally supported the admission both of Estonia and its other kindred nation, Hungary, to the European Union. "And both of you do deserve it in every respect!" the Finnish Head of State acknowledged. She took particular interest in Estonia's progress with negotiating the chapter of agriculture.
President Rüütel set out Estonia's position on this issue adding that, due to similar natural conditions, the Estonian farm and agribusiness sector was expecting from the European Union a kind of treatment resembling that given to Finland. On top of that, Estonia after its accession, according to the President, should not put more into the EU-kitty than it would get in return. As confirmed by the Finnish Head of State, Estonia had every reason to be optimistic for the very same thought just a minute earlier at the plenary session of the economic forum had been underscored by Günther Verheugen, the European Union`s Enlargement Commissioner. In addition, President Halonen voiced her belief that Estonia could retain the right to produce for its own population enough food since the European Union also in future intended to maintain farming on the territory of the whole union.
The Heads of State of Estonia and Finland expressed their desire to further promote the manifold and good contacts between our two neighbouring countries.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 16, 2002
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