eesti keeles

Speeches
Open in print mode

President of the Republic Opening Address at Riigikogu 9 September 2002
09.09.2002


Distinguished Chairman of the Riigikogu,
Members of the Riigikogu,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The year of politics launched today, traditionally marked by opening the session of the parliament after summer recess, will require taking more decisions than before. We are facing two sets of elections: into local governments and the Riigikogu. Preparations to the accession to the European Union and joining of NATO are reaching the final stage. Both politicians and the people should have a clear vision of the future and be able to make right decisions.

Pursuing goals set in the Constitution we should ask ourselves from time to time how could we implement them in the rapidly changing world. Global events, be they climate changes or fluctuations in the economic environment, are having an ever closer impact on our endeavours and decisions.

The day after tomorrow it will be a year of the terrorist attack against the World Trade Centre in New York. The tragic experience shocked many a nation. Questions after questions crop up not only about the reasons but also about prerequisites and conditions of the global peace. A simplified approach would be to reduce this conflict down to a confrontation of civilisations, the inevitability of which several philosophers attempt to prove. A rapid reduction of non-renewable resources, an increasing gap between rich and poor countries make others to cling to the lifestyle and ideologies achieved and attract others to resort even to violence in order to get attention and look for solutions of their problems. This is in turn draped into the rhetoric of a mythological fight of good and evil.

It is true that the Cold-War-polarisation of the world decades ago has developed into a network of regional and local conflicts.

Estonia has joined the international anti-terrorist programme and values highly the leading role of the United States. Our realistic contribution lies in preparedness to meet our commitment in preventing and combating terrorism. However, interstate communication strategies and tactics need new dimensions. Balance of power can be achieved by adding new and new weights on the scales, be they state-of-art weaponry, economic sanctions or international corporations. The experience shows that such balance lies on fear. The fear, however, does not increase confidence.

For one reason or another we do not want to admit that what applies to a single human being, applies to the life on our planet as well. All of a sudden we will face a necessity to obtain a more sustainable approach to our possibilities. Giving away presupposes overcoming one's self. Hence, national foreign policies are also reflections of domestic policy. It is especially significant to stress vis-à-vis Estonia. Our foreign policy steps should definitely consider our constitutional goals, historic context and real possibilities to influence international processes. Estonia can pursue only realistic foreign policy.

I am addressing you, distinguished members of the Riigikogu, as the dignified image of the Republic of Estonia will primarily depend on your decisions and performance as the highest power is vested in you.

Today the priority is not any more to convince each other in the inevitability of taking significant steps, accede to the European Union and NATO, Estonia has been looking forward to. We have done our utmost within the economic environment of a transition economy in order to deliver the decisions. As the supreme commander of the national defence I ensure smooth preparations to joining NATO. It is important to do homework well, developing both a total defence system covering all fields of independent national defence and society as well as necessary units and capabilities. We are committed to these efforts neither because of the upcoming Prague Summit nor to develop a common security space but primarily because of our national interests and a necessity to secure the security and existence of Estonia as an independent state.

Accession negotiations with the European Union have reached the final stage. It is of key importance to harmonise our legislation with the acquis communitaire without limiting our opportunities to develop our traditional branches of economy. The success of Estonia as an EU Member State will depend on our administrative capacity. Both the Riigikogu and Government of Estonia bear tremendous responsibility.

Apart from the upcoming major steps, the smaller steps to be taken in the post-accession period are becoming increasingly significant. The question is what to contribute, what to give up, which way to move in order to maintain our unique face as a nation and as a state. Sometimes it looks that in pre-accession euphoria the idea often is: if only we could get in - it remains to be seen what will happen next. Herewith I call upon politicians to take into account the society and grassroots level in making domestic and foreign policy decisions. This is where the source of sovereignty lies. To the extent we can be ourselves, to the extent we can have say in the global politics. We are facing a referendum and Estonia's accession to the European Union will depend on its results. The people have to be aware of the pros and cons to decide. We should not save time explaining advantages and disadvantages.

The key words are "confidence" and "balance". About a year ago in my inauguration speech I mentioned that Estonia was suffering most under lack of confidence and on the careen like a ship. The economic success of recent months has created new jobs and increased income, which is reflected in increased social optimism. It would be short-sighted to be flattered. Although judging by the turbulent election campaigns, this is the hope of many parties. Anyway my hope is that both at the local and parliamentary elections the electorate can tell the difference and will not be blinded by promises to increase taxes, cut taxes or rather to give money to children.

I am bound to stress that at the upcoming local elections the people will issue a mandate to local governments to operate as EU local governments. This will add new functions and modify the existing ones. This would also increase the responsibility of local governments. Therefore it is important for local governments not to make promises without adequate legislative cover and guarantees. It is evident that the ability of the state to link efficient solution of local problems with challenges of the globalizing world assumes public relations based on balanced and firmly standing constitutional institutions of the state. The competency of the constitutional institutions arises from the constitution. The interpretation of such competencies pursuant to daily political needs as well as the lack of confidence and co-operation between institutions sways national stability and reliability both internally and in international relations. It is significant for each institution to work within its competence.

Distinguished Members of the Parliament!

Estonia's sustainability and reliable development feeding confidence in Estonia, as a state should stem from long-term schemes and agreements. However, institutions and organisations have started to develop development plans in their fields of activity. There are said to be sixty-four of them already. However, each of the ideas will become a driving force only within a broader agreement. We can call it either a national pact or societal agreement - it is most important to realise the need to conclude the pact and recognise it as a prerequisite for the new breathing of Estonia. Last Friday the President's Academic Council stressed that considering the individualistic nature of our community, it is difficult to achieve an agreement but still inevitable under the circumstances. The currently unbalanced development is deteriorating the quality of the Estonian people. Vastly growing drinking is an example the academicians provided. Drinking leads to increasing social tensions let alone family break-ups, inadequate care of children, highway homicides, and suicides - deteriorating health of the people.

We should not let the people to drown not only their sorrows but also themselves in vodka! Together we should find a solution to these problems.

Recently I have often talked about goals, contents, potential parties, form and outcome of the national pact. This has been one of the significant fields of work for the President's Academic Council and its experts' network. I can assure you that the public attitude is increasingly positive. The pact would define short-term fields and specific conditions as well as fields needing a long-term strategy. Representatives of employers and employees, parties represented in the parliament, NGOs, associations of local governments, etc. could be parties to the pact. We should agree on priority measures to ensure the sustainability of the Estonian people and its culture. Mechanisms to restore population, education and the stability of the economic environment should be under focus. The Republic of Estonia was born in the cradle of culture. In late 1930s Estonian intellectuals were convinced that the idea of Estonia - the sign of Estonia in the modern context - is Estonian culture in the narrow and broad sense of the word. This includes openness, respect of traditions and unwritten laws, ethical standards and tolerance of minorities. This means preservation of Estonian intellectual space and language in this part of the world.

Education is a cornerstone of a civilised state. The President's Academic Council is of the opinion that our main task in radically changing the education system is to primarily set such conditions in pre-school and basic education that would promote continued and lifelong learning. Secondly, we should end educational stratification along social and regional lines. Thirdly, vocational education is an inseparable part of general education.

Estonia's socio-economic development is linked to Estonia's national development. Folk culture in the broadest sense of the word and underlying mother tongue sustain national development and survival. Our efforts to promote our national culture and mother tongue have been inadequate. The Estonian language should be protected by the constitution. It is necessary to launch national programmes in a broader and more comprehensive scale.

We should increase the share of science and research in the society. Targeted involvement of research competence into solving our national economic and social problems would help to significantly accelerate development and reduce societal alienation.

Dear members of the Riigikogu!

Today you start the last year of your term of office. This will be a turbulent year in every sense of the word. The world is facing serious choices: will we be able to contain various sources of tension or will a new wave of violence surge out. In the interests of Estonia's sustainability under current external insecurity we have to feel internally united.

Probably several of you think now what imprint would your term of office on Toompea carry. Your chance would be to rise above your party interests and with your moral support and active participation help to conclude a new societal agreement. For you, distinguished members of the Riigikogu, it would be a small step. For the entire nation of Estonia it would be a big step forward in securing its future.


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