eesti keeles

Speeches
Open in print mode

President of the Republic at the presentation of the credentials By H.E. Joseph M. De Thomas, Ambassador of the United States of America on 11 December 2001
11.12.2001


Your Excellency,
Mr Ambassador,

I am pleased to welcome you as the Ambassador of the United States of America to Estonia.

You have arrived in Estonia in a time difficult for the Americans but likewise for us and for the whole world. On 11 September the terrorists wanted to prove that free societies were weak and not capable of defending themselves. They have sown destruction and sorrow hoping to weaken the will of the free nations but instead they encountered the steadfast will of all the democratic countries to stand up for their most cherished ideals.

For Estonia to stand jointly with other nations in defence of the free, democratic, creative, and open scheme of society is a matter of course. We have resolutely expressed our support to the combat against terrorism.
Relying on this firm belief, today we will respond to the appeal of your Head of State, President Bush, playing at 15.46 local time our national anthem as a token of solidarity with the United States, their people and with the whole world.

For Estonia, the United States of America are one of the most important partners of political and economic co-operation. The main objective of developing our bilateral relations is to achieve in our foreign and security policy as well as in economy mutually beneficial goals for both of our countries.

Estonia and its people have experienced the full support of the United States both while fighting for the independence and while restoring it. Estonia has set itself high aims. We want to become an inseparable part of the new, democratic, and integrated Europe. Both the United States and Estonia are interested in increasing stability and security in Europe. We will do our utmost to contribute to achieving those aims.

I am sincerely delighted that Estonia has been able to be for the United States a worthy partner. To some degree, the pace of changes in Estonia over the last ten years must have been surprising for our American friends. First of all, with respect to the speed of Estonian reforms and attainment of its high aims. Being an example itself, Estonia has been able to prove to its friends that the ideas of freedom and democracy are applicable and they are worth standing up for.

Mr Ambassador,

I am confident that we will still find new ways to make full use of the potential contained in the relations between Estonia and the United States. Every Ambassador of the U.S.A. has given to our co-operation his personal hue and, I am sure you will do the same.

Please accept my sincere congratulations, and wishes for stamina in keeping and strengthening the friendship between Estonia and the United States. Let us be reliable and helpful partners in the years ahead.


© 2006 Office of the President l tel: + 372 631 6202 l fax: + 372 631 6250 l sekretarvpk.ee