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Address by the President of the Republic at St John's College of Oxford University on November 12, 200212.11.2002
Traditions and values in changing Europe
Honorable President!
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Here in Oxford everyone perceives that traditions and values, on one hand, and innovativeness of modern science and turbulently changing world, on the other hand, are intertwined. Thank you very much for the opportunity to share my views with you along those lines.
Undeniably one of the permanent values is the inalienable right of peoples to choose their own development path and organise the life in their society according to their traditions. I would like to start with focusing on traditions and values in the developments of Estonia and Central and Eastern Europe over the last decades.
In order to understand the present as correctly as possible and set realistic plans for future, we have to know the past. This is the paradox of development. For Estonia the twentieth century has been very special. Our people succeeded in establishing an independent state between two World Wars when violent alien power deprived us of it for fifty years. However, in the last decade of the century we managed to restore our independent statehood.
In Estonia as well as in other Baltic states a rise in independence aspirations in late eighties indicated a desire to radically change the reality - shake off Soviet occupation. Contemporaneously this also meant an attempt to restore independent statehood violently severed half a century ago. All this significantly contributed to popular movement and made the Baltic nations consistent in their independence strivings.
Our people had an answer to questions, which heads of a large empire could not answer - what to do next, what to strive for. Throughout the occupation period traditions and symbols of independent statehood as well as confidence in ability to run one's own life stayed alive in people's mind. This led to a situation in which the Baltic states were the first to challenge Moscow and were the fastest to make use of the opportunities emerging during "perestroika". We had also close cooperation with Russian democrats.
Steps taken by Estonia in 1988 were outstanding. On one of these days 14 years ago, on 16 November 1988, Estonia was the first among the occupied Soviet republics to declare its sovereign rights as a state. Declaring our laws to supersede Soviet ones we actually voiced our intent to restore independent statehood. This launched an irreversible process, which rested on the will of the people and had been carefully considered step by step, and also to bloodless restoration of full independence in just a few years. We succeeded by creating a political, economic and legal basis, inevitable for sovereignty and independent decision-making but destroyed during fifty years.
Although democratic states did not recognize the occupation of the Baltic states and their forced annexation into the Soviet Union there was no international guarantee to our decision to restore independence. Moscow did not recognize this and the rest of the world had also difficulties in understanding such a development. Nevertheless small Baltic states could convince the others over time that the Soviet system cannot be reformed from inside.
In order to achieve such understanding we had to gain international support to the restoration of independence. We accomplished the goal by restoring our cooperation with democratic states and organisations; i.e. we relied on widely recognized permanent values. The cooperation between nations and states in securing national security and stable development in the region or entire world had and still has special value. This enabled Estonia to reintegrate into economic, cultural and defence network in democratic Europe.
Consistent struggle by the Baltic states combined with internal weakening of the totalitarian system created more favourable conditions for Central European states. The collapsing Soviet empire had neither power nor an action plan to further impose its development model on them. Thus, the Berlin Wall came down in November 1989 - a year after Estonias declaration of sovereignty and in another year Germany was reunified. These epoch-making events launched a new era in Europe, although the changes had started already two years ago.
The above examples should indicate the significance of the Baltic states in the events transforming Europe. Quite often simplified approaches seem to spread about complex issues. One of these is the perception of the role of the singing revolution in Estonia in transforming the state.
Definitely values and traditions, including the more than 100-year-old tradition of song festivals sustained our small nation in its actions. Our experience shows, first and foremost, that a nation, which has preserved its nationality and identity is capable of restoring an independent and democratic state. This helps to understand and re-create democratic values.
Annexation, war and repressions brought along severe losses to the people of Estonia but nevertheless it preserved its language and culture. Relying on our historic heritage, our people restored a democratic state. Further more, in the events turning half of Europe to the path of democratic development, the role of the Baltic states was significant. Political processes deepening in the Soviet Union after the restoration of independence in the Baltic states set prerequisites for other nations to become independent as well. This led to an opportunity in more than a fifth of the globe for democratic development and the confrontation prevailing during and after the Cold War came to an end. It is extremely significant to stress that all this took place without bloodshed and in a peaceful way.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
In 1991 the parliament of Estonia proclaimed the restored Republic of Estonia. Ever since Estonia has launched a new socio-economic model and undergone radical reforms. A new monetary system and market economy mechanisms have been performing from the outset, our annual economic growth has been five percent and above, plenty of foreign direct investment has flown in.
The restoration of independent statehood, replacement of the bankrupt socialist system with market economy, introduction of parliamentary democracy and other radical changes were possible, first and foremost, on the basis of previous tradition of independent statehood and cultural values. In many fields previous solutions have been reintroduced, updating them to changed circumstances. A strong foundation laid by traditions and values sustained public support to reforms even when the living standard dropped about twofold before recovering.
In our capital city - Tallinn - we have a modest monument dedicated to schoolchildren and teachers who were killed in the War of Independence in 1918-1920. Recently a movie Names in Marble, which depicts the life of these young people has been shot and it has become a great hit. People are discussing lively what made eighty years ago young Estonians to go straight from behind school desk to the battle, what united our people in those days? The unity was based on common values has discovered the much-shuttered society, split in many issues. The values are still there and they still unite us. Unfortunately in the era of commercialised culture and tabloid press it is not customary to talk or write about such values - they are not profitable enough.
Quite often both in Estonia and in other Central and East European countries we speak about the return to Europe or West, although at least in our thoughts we have never left Europe. Our foreign policy aspirations to collaborate with other states and to join international institutions stemmed from common values shared by our nations.
Now we are looking forward to an invitation to NATO from Prague and to the European Union from Copenhagen. Thus, we are about to enter a new stage both in the development of our society and foreign relations. Previous solutions and views do not function any more, everything has to be reinterpreted.
However, we are convinced in the necessity to preserve our values and traditions also under new circumstances, even more - they should be developed further. It is essential that Estonia will remain Estonia with its identity and culture, being simultaneously a successful member of the European Union and NATO. We think that this is the only way to create together with other Member States future-oriented structures and secure sustainable society. It is our traditions and values, which help Estonia to find its proper role in future but we also know that our state will be successful only if it is able to change together with transforming environment. A small nation like Estonian can survive only through transformation, preserving simultaneously also its permanent values.
Democracy is and will be among the firmest underlying values of our society. However, democracy is not the gift of Providence to everybody. We can see it every day and everywhere hearing about violence and its victims. Definitely democracy should be continuously strengthened and safeguarded. Ever- expanding and diversifying cooperation between states and nations is serving the same interests.
In today's globalizing world Estonia is cooperating in several spheres knowing that the more diversified the cooperation, the more stable the society. The three Baltic states sustain traditionally close cooperation but besides we also participate in the Nordic-Baltic cooperation of eight countries and that of the Baltic Sea States. Ever closer are we linked to the European Union and the European Economic Area as well as to NATO. The last two forms of cooperation - the EU and NATO have for different reasons become crucial in our foreign policy. These two parallel and mutually complimentary processes are significant for us as they are opening up new opportunities.
We see the future world not only in the light of cooperation between states but also regions. Various forms of cooperation establish a cohesive safety net for the entire world. All forms of regional partnership are good if they safeguard democratic values and stability in the development of nations and states, if they consider both interests of all states and regional varieties. Not only a small nation of Estonians but all others as well need integration of interests.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
When somebody starts talking about traditions and values, the audience is ready to believe that this is an attempt to cling to some obsolete ideas or veil actual intentions with beautiful words. In today's world everything is so technical and institutionalised that any mentioning of values is taken as primitive. Nevertheless we have seriously started to exchange views on good and evil, right and wrong. Values underlying our decisions and backing by traditions help us to differentiate between them.
The European Union associates regions of extremely diversified nature as well as culture. Being able to unite North and South, vision of the world of small and large nations, the European Union allows each of them to live sustaining from its own value system. The entire world in the future could be built upon these cooperation principles as firm pillars.
The same basic values sustain people overseas. At the same time the extraordinary position of the United States of America in the world has created a situation in which real policy analyses have largely lost their previous significance.
Listening to this one can say that the guest from Estonia has found an occasion to live out the well-known opposition of small countries, as they are not players in the real policy playground. Small countries are rather overlooked and if necessary their interests are trampled on by large countries.
Indeed, we do not accept policy like it was born on the eve of World War Two or at times also during the so-called détente between West and the Soviet Union. We do not link this notion with policy strategy and tactics as introduced in mid-19th century. We comprehend realistic policy primarily as recognition of existing and predictable realities. They involve both geocultural and geopolitical affiliation of Estonia as well as our international commitments and current cooperation.
Provided Estonia had not pursued such a real policy line, the 1920 Peace Treaty of Tartu would not have been concluded and Estonia would have stayed a part of Russia. Similarly global processes influence our today's aspirations and decisions, also Estonia's aspirations to accede to the European Union and join NATO.
The devastating terrorist attack to the World Trade Centre in New York raises questions not only of its causes but also of prerequisites and conditions for safeguarding world peace. Several social philosophers attempt to reduce the problem to inevitable confrontation of civilisations. Going along with such interpretation we as if try to relieve ourselves of responsibility to find solutions.
Estonia has joined an international anti-terrorist programme and values highly the leading role of the United States of America. As a matter of fact the former Cold-War polarisation of the world has evolved into network of regional and local conflicts. Strategies and tactics in inter-state relations require new dimensions.
Rapid reduction of non-renewable natural resources, a deepening gap between the rich and poor countries makes the others cling to the achieved living standard and ideologies and attracts the others even to resort to violence to claim attention and find solutions to problems. All this is veiled in rhetoric of mythological struggle between the good and the evil.
The balance of powers can be achieved by creating new and new preponderance, be they technologically more advanced weaponry, economic sanctions or international corporations. Just like experience has shown such balance is sustained by fear. However, fear does not boost confidence. Everything applicable to the life of one human being will also apply to the entire life on the planet. All of a sudden we face necessity to be sustainable with our opportunities.
I would like to underline that the current so-called confrontation of good and evil cannot change or affect the activity of a superpower but rather values and cooperation built on them. The United Nations has a significant role in organising such a co-operation. The UN is the organisation under whose auspices and control balancing processes directing the world towards higher stability can evolve.
Several so-called real policy models have been suggested for the current situation. Some say that new superpowers could be let to develop in different parts of the world. New spheres of influence and local balance of power would secure international stability without one superpower interfering everywhere. Such an approach lacks values and goals why a certain policy is pursued. Ultimately one might even argue that a strategic power is entitled to be a supervisor in its so-called "legitimate sphere of influence". Such real policy constructions are unacceptable for us, they are immoral as they could even justify overriding human rights.
Now another question: to what extent policy and values of a superpower overlap with policy and values of other significant powers? This has been a widely discussed topic in the world this year, primarily because of quite a long list of dissenting opinions of the US with Europe, first and foremost, with the European Union. Media has picked out apart from sensible analyses also dramatic fabrications even down to the next conflict being between the US and the European Union.
I think that we should notice the underlying values and traditions, which are significant, fundamental and close to both parties. It is the basic values, which provide an answer to significant questions in peoples' lives. Talking about competitive democracy, market economy, rule of law and human rights we deal with core values. They underlie the entire Western civilization, evolve from its traditions and development logic.
Possible different nuances and interpretations do not allow to argue that the oveall foundation of the Western civilisation had started to waiver or even disappeared. Controversies in details, interests and subissues cannot push aside key choices. The above four choices based on common values are still valid and at the same time do not keep away emotional confrontation. These shared values set a basis for tradeoffs and solutions.
I agree to what Francis Fukuyama said in Melbourne: "In my view, the idea of the West remains a coherent one, and that there remain critical shared values, institutions, and interests that will continue to bind the world's developed democracies, and Europe and the United States, in particular."
Public opinion polls, which in several fields reveal large similarities in both sides of the ocean, seem to confirm Francis Fukuyama's opinion. Both Europe and America see terrorism as a major threat. Also strengthening of the role of the United Nations Organisation as well as cooperation with other countries and the UN were explicitly supported.
Herewith I cannot present comparative data on Estonia as no such opinion poll has taken place in Estonia. However, our surveys display that a vast majority of the population supports the current level of defence expenditure, 2 per cent of GDP. Also our citizens value security and realise that this has to be paid for.
Possibilities of states, primarily of small states, to achieve a significant change alone, are limited. The current performance of both NATO and the European Union shows what kind of opportunities cooperation between large and small states on the basis of shared values can provide. Being a member of these alliances our voice is better heard and more powerful than if we stay outside.
For centuries it has been the fate of Estonia to communicate with Russia. In the new approach with Russia participating in anti-terrorist coalition and having oriented itself to cooperate with West, new opportunities are opening up for Estonia as well. We are convinced that our accession to the European Union and NATO will have a favourable impact on our good-neighbourly relations with Russia.
Tolerance is a part of being European, just like diversity and acceptance of different paths of development. The message sent by the Central and East European states to the rest of Europe tells about necessity to strengthen and develop cooperation in the region, first and foremost, with one's neighbours. But that message also favours a trans-Atlantic dialogue, calls for visiting each other and talking on every possible level. I am pleased to note that the trans-Atlantic dialogue is considered to be very important in Great Britain. British politicians, scientists and many media publications have given their best in this field. You have always been able to value dignity of others and right to one's own opinion.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Forthcoming enlargement of the European Union and NATO means the appearance of many new states around the negotiation table. I am convinced that the influence of the Central and Eastern European states to processes will be seen soon and this will also contribute to making traditions and values of Western civilization sustainable.
In today's and future world, even in case of the smallest nations, independent statehood, which is capable to maintain the culture of that nation, is of utmost importance. Each of those cultures has in the course of hundreds or thousands of years created and preserved unique values, which are inherent only to one nation but enrich the world culture and can counterbalance unified approach.
The world's ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity is our common wealth. The aim of development should not be a standardised world and one single global culture, but an integrated world, which accepts different nationalities, where problems are solved in a balanced way. The language and culture of each nation have to be respected on the bases of equality. This is what sets a foundation for a stable world and fruitful international cooperation arising from partnership.
When the Central and East European states were fighting for their independence, our goal was to return to Europe as it was often expressed. That the Estonians are said to have lived on their present territory for seven thousand years, carying our own culture, traditions and values. We have outlived the rule of many alien powers, but we have managed to preserve our identity. By our history and culture we have always belonged to Europe. This is the background from where we hope to contribute to the development of the value system of uniting Europe, and together with other states to bear responsibility for developing of democracy and for securing stability in Europe.
Besides Estonia brings along also thirst for knowledge and respect for different cultures as its contribution to the system of common values. On an advertisement of the biggest bank in Estonia there are standing two young people there. One of them is holding a sign, which reads "Tartu", it is our university town where I have had an opportunity to work as the rector of the Agricultural University. The other young man is holding a sign, which reads "Oxford". I am very pleased that here at Oxford together with young people from many countries also Estonian students are gaining knowledge. A new European understanding is being born here. The traditions and values are developing further in new generations, changing and accumulating wealth from all nations, both from big and small.
I wish success to you and to your College!
Thank you for your attention.
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