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The President of the Republic takes part in European Economic Summit16.09.2002
President Arnold Rüütel today at the Summit of the World Economic Forum on European integration presented Estonia's position on the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union.
At the plenary session of the forum, in the afternoon, the floor was given to the Heads of State of Austria, Estonia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Finland, but also to the Heads of Government participating in the forum and to the European Union's Enlargement Commissioner, Günther Verheugen, with whom President Rüütel had had a short conversation before the summit was opened.
Addressing the plenary session of the economic forum, President Arnold Rüütel indicated that Estonia in its preparations for joining the European Union had reached the homestretch. The Estonian Head of State opined that delays at the present stage of enlargement and rushing headlong into decisions alike might lead to unpredictable political consequences. Apart from that, President Rüütel touched upon Estonia's desire to achieve - negotiating the chapter of agriculture a solution satisfying both sides. "Adhering to the Laeken timetable and to what has been achieved during the negotiations is of prime significance," the President summed up the main prerequisites of enlargement.
The European Union's Enlargement Commissioner, Günther Verheugen, speaking after the Estonian Head of State said about the problems raised by Estonia's President amongst other things that the European Union had to be flexible in its talks on agriculture. He added that the future member states should not be turned into main payers from the outset of enlargement. Commissioner Verheugen suggested to the Heads of State and opinion-formers that during the preparations for EU enlargement attention should be paid to informing the citizens and to the dialogue with them.
President Rüütel today in Salzburg, as part of his summit programme had meetings with the Presidents of Ukraine and Bulgaria. Meetings with the Finnish President, Tarja Halonen, and the French Minister of European Affairs, Noelle Lenoir, are scheduled for this evening. The Estonian Head of State, on top of that, will open and lead the discussion at a working dinner this evening.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 16, 2002
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