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The President of the Republic meeting with the Diplomatic Corps, on June 2, 2002, at Paslepa02.06.2002
Honourable Guests,
Excellencies,
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Paslepa, to the summer residence of the Estonian Head of State on the edge of the peninsula of Noarootsi. Yesterday and today you have been travelling around in the County of Läänemaa, seeing also places which the tourists not necessarily know to be worth looking for. For example, in Läänemaa, there are also standing the remains of the stronghold Raikküla described already by Henricus de Lettis, the venerable chronicler. On this high ancient bank there, in times of yore Estonian elders convened to confer on the Estonian cause. Perhaps one might even say that this was our first parliament. But it certainly was a germ of democracy, if I may put it this way.
Dear Guests. While discovering Läänemaa, you once again must have seen how surprising and varied this one of the Europe's smallest countries is. I am sure that in your diplomatic work you also have seen how rapidly Estonia is changing and advancing. True, the whole world has changed and this in a very short time. Yet, it is our duty to keep pace with those changes.
The Estonian summer is only beginning. It is short, but lacking in snow, as the Finns say. Yet, the new season in politics and diplomacy beginning in the autumn 2002 is for Estonia a threshold of a kind, and before that, a lot of work has to be done both in domestic and foreign policy. It will put to the test politicians' abilities to proceed from long-term interests, to make difficult but necessary decisions, and not to delay them. That concerns not only Estonia. NATO and the European Union have apart from enlargement many other items on their agenda, but the enlargement is still the most important one.
As for the domestic policy, the elections of local governments are awaiting us in autumn. At the beginning of the next year, Estonia will elect a new Riigikogu. Due to the poll, growth of tensions in our domestic policy is definitely to be expected. At the same time, I do hope that it will lead to clarification of positions and to more certainty in politics. However, I am confident and I can reassure you today that possible changes in our domestic policy will not cause changes of the course of Estonian foreign policy. We are continuously interested in good relations and co-operation in the directions of both East and West, both North and South.
The last September has significantly changed the perceptions of contents and goals of international co-operation. New threats and the rearranged security order demand of us joint efforts in combating terrorism. The fight against organized crime, safeguarding of borders and other similar matters exemplify the importance of guaranteeing security more than so far.
The reforms carried out in Estonian society and our preparations to join the EU and NATO have demanded of us creativity and flexibility. The same qualities have been demanded of us by our testing history. We have learned to quickly switch over to new situations and to act effectively. Estonia is ready to share the responsibility for peace and stability.
On our way to NATO, we in Estonia have often been thinking of what are we going to bring along with us. In my speech held on May 2, in Prague, I said that Estonia with its 1,4 million residents by no means added too much to the statistical potential of the Alliance. Yet, every square kilometre of peace and stability in Europe - wherever located - is worth its weight in gold. According to opinion polls, our small population is firmly favouring NATO, ready to continuously bear the load of defence appropriations amounting to 2 % of GDP and, if needed to participate personally in defending their state. And so, Estonia's accession to NATO would equal to 45 thousand square kilometres more of stable area on our continent and 1,4 million more people willing to protect this area of peace and stability from the risks of the contemporary world.
Estonia's accession to the EU and NATO has become an issue of the foreseeable future. The Prague Summit in November will be a significant landmark on our long way and its positive outcome would definitely supply us with new energy for subsequent efforts. We will continue to intensively strengthen our defence capability also after Prague.
Yet, for diplomats, these processes in Estonia and in Europe make up the immediate contents of their work. Estonia would not be that successful now if we were not supported by the friendly community of diplomats from our partner-countries at our own home. And I am delighted to note that with many of you I have hade very pleasant meetings either receiving your credentials, preparing mutual visits or on other occasions. And so, here, I would like to thank you for those pleasant moments and interesting discussions during our meetings. They have enriched me a lot.
However, we are amidst beginning of summer here today. We are at a place where already centuries ago different languages and cultures have met. This is a part of our history and we are proud of it. But now, let us enjoy the beautiful weather, the excellent company and the creations of our cooks.
To your health, Dear Guests!
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