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The President of the Republic met the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy
23.03.2004


President Rüütel today at Kadriorg received Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini. Their meeting addressed bilateral relations between Estonia and Italy, and also cooperation within the framework of the European Union.

The President of the Republic highlighted current good relations between Estonia and Italy, and expressed his firm belief that Estonia's accession to the European Union and NATO would open up new possibilities for cooperation. "In cooperation between our two countries, apart from close cultural and economic relations, security issues will increasingly gain in importance since both Estonia and Italy are border countries of NATO," President Rüütel noted.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini, the Italian people recognized Estonia as an integral part of Europe. "Estonia is returning to Europe - its true home, and this return is in the interests of all peoples of Europe," Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini said.

Discussing security issues, the two sides agreed that both Estonia and Italy while enhancing their border security defended the interests of the whole of Europe. According to the President of the Republic, it was necessary to confront growing global threats together. Speaking about the Estonian-Russian relations, President Rüütel emphasised that Estonia was interested in good relations with its big neighbouring country. Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini said that while developing relations between the whole European Union and Russia, Estonia's experience of dealing with Russia definitely needed to be taken into account.


Public Relations Unit of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, March 23, 2004


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