eesti keeles

Speeches
Open in print mode

Remarks by the President of the Republic at the Copenhagen European Council on 13 December 2002
13.12.2002


Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me congratulate all of you on the today's great event. Today, the peoples of Europe once again have proven that they can cope with historic challenges, that they understand the fundamental importance of Europe's reunification to the whole of Europe or even - to the whole of the world.

Secondly, I would like to express appreciation to the European Commission for the great work done to make the idea of the Union's enlargement to come true, and also to Denmark having during its Presidency done its utmost to enable us to sign the Accession Treaty next year, in April.

I would like to thank all those who over the last decade have supported Estonia's efforts to become a full member of the European Union. Estonia is reclaiming its place in Europe and let us hope that this time it be lasting. The Estonians' way of thinking, culture and history largely have been moulded by the circumstance that we belonged to the mediaeval Hanseatic League, which used to dominate the trade from the Baltic to the shores of the Atlantic. The today's Tallinn is an exemplary proof of the fact that no occupying power was able to extinguish the Hanseatic spirit. I am confident that Estonia as a Member of the European Union, proceeding from its historical experience, can offer Europe its share of beneficial and distinct values.

At this point, I would like to stress how important it is that the new Member States as full-fledged members had the chance to decide the future of our common Europe. The constitutional treaty being elaborated by the Convention on the future of Europe is going to be Europe's democratic cornerstone, and therefore, to take part both in discussing the treaty and in final voting at the Intergovernmental Conference, is to us of the utmost importance.

The peoples of the countries joining together are going to express their will in the forthcoming referenda, considering the interests of both themselves and the expanding Union, and also the responsibility for the future of Europe.
Thank you, and to Europe every success!


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