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The President of the Republic at the dinner hosted by Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma in Kiev, on October 14, 200214.10.2002
Honourable President of Ukraine,
Mrs Kutchma,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Permit me to thank you, Mr President, for the invitation to visit your beautiful Ukraine. On behalf of myself, my wife, all of us, I also would like to thank you for the cordial reception. The famous Ukrainian hospitality is heart-warming and makes guests feel expected and welcome.
The close businesslike relationship between our countries has been preceded by quite a long history. Our first rather active contacts date back to the second half of the 19th century when Estonian emigrants settled in the Crimea. As a result, Estonian villages took shape there. On the other hand, the first fraternity of Ukrainian students, "Hromada" by name, was founded 1898 in Tartu.
These days, there are Estonians living in Ukraine and quite a number of Ukrainians in Estonia. Far away from one's native country, being Estonian or Ukrainian is a value in itself. The Ukrainians living in Estonia have formed a cultural society by the name of Ukrainian Homeland Association. The society definitely plays an important role in maintaining and strengthening the Ukrainians' national spirit. We, on our part, are trying to make our contribution to enable the Ukrainian community to cultivate their national culture and to feel at home in Estonia. Not without reason goes the saying that countries understand each other when their people understand each other.
Mr President,
There have been many similarities in our recent history: each of our countries has faced complicated problems and overcome difficulties.
Over the last ten years, great changes have taken place both in Estonian and Ukrainian society. After the restoration of its independence, Estonia launched hard but urgently needed reforms aimed at market economy. At the same time, society began to actively use and develop democratic liberties gained.
For today, we have come to the reputation of a country having stable democracy and competitive market economy. This was in the best possible way attested by the European Union's decision of 1997 to invite Estonia to accession negotiations.
In parallel with the accession negotiations, we have done a considerable work to bring our legislation into line with that of the European Union and carried out several additional reforms in different areas of life. And that for the purpose of, on the one hand, meeting the accession criteria and, on the other hand, becoming able to take in the best possible way advantage of our accession to the European Union. This path has not been easy for we have faced a host of problems. However, we are willing to share the experience gained with Ukraine as well.
Estonia`s foreign-policy priorities - joining the European Union and NATO - are about to come true. For the end of the year, the Prague and Copenhagen Summits are scheduled which we hope to present Estonia invitations to accede.
Even so, joining the European Union and NATO has not been an end in itself to Estonia: the membership is going to give us new chances, greater than the present ones. We lay great emphasis on shaping a democratic Europe based on co-operation and integration. In our opinion, it is vital to take part in processes ensuring a sustainable and balanced development of the world. We would rather be co-producers of security than just consumers of it. Our participation in preventing crises and safeguarding international stability has put upon us additional obligations, but it also has enriched us with new experience.
Let us hope that also the course towards joining the European Union chosen by Ukraine and your partnership with NATO will bring success to your people and help to safeguard the international security and stability. The process of acceding to the Euro-Atlantic structures requires persistence in strengthening democratic institutions and in carrying through reforms. On my part, I would like to inspire you to continue furthering democracy and reform processes.
The cold war has ended and the today's world is full of new opportunities, yet, also of discord and problems. By joint efforts we have to combat international animosities and the threat of terror. This requires from nations internal preparedness and responsibility. We must do our utmost to prevent any recurrence of the last year's 11th September. To this end, the keywords are international co-operation and mutual trust.
Mr President, permit me to return to our bilateral relationship. I am glad that Estonian goods and services have a good reputation in Ukraine. Estonian textiles and furniture, tinned fish and the liqueur "Vana Tallinn" - these are but some of our products known here.
Ukraine is for Estonia an important trade and economic partner. Our enterprises have a continuing interest in Ukraine. No doubt that the today's business forum, too, contributed on its part to strengthening the present contacts and to working out new opportunities of co-operation. We are confident that Estonia's accession to the European Union will give the development of economic relations between our two countries a fresh impetus. We expect Ukraine to use the Estonian market and chances of opening new markets through Estonia more than so far. Tomorrow, we will have a pleasant possibility to visit Odessa and I do hope that also our meetings there will help to expand the sphere of our economic co-operation.
Estonia and Ukraine have always had considerable cultural ties. We have entertained each other's art groups and exchanged exhibitions. Summer camps have given children new friends and companions. In Estonian seaside resort Pärnu every year festivals named after David Oistrakh from Odessa are held gaining continuously in popularity.
Last year, to mark the 140th anniversary of the first Estonian settlement in the Crimea, Estonian Days including an international scientific conference were carried out in the Crimea. I would be pleased to see that organizing this kind of days, presenting not only the culture of our peoples but also the potential of our countries to co-operate, became a tradition.
I am confident that we have to deepen our co-operation and to strengthen our partnership since in the contemporary world of rapid changes we need mutual understanding and consideration more than ever before.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of myself, my wife and all of us I wish you a great success and happiness.
To the prosperity of Ukraine! To your health!
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