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Address by the President of the Republic on the Day of Restoration of Independence, 20 August 2003 at Kadriorg
20.08.2003


Ladies and Gentlemen,


I am happy that we can celebrate together the Day of Restoration of Estonian Independence and that we can do it at Kadriorg, against the backdrop of the same building in which the Estonian Head of State began working already 65 years ago. I am also pleased that, by today, both this house and the garden surrounding it have been restored to their initial beauty.

We know from history books and memoirs of contemporary witnesses of those events what kind of weighty decisions have been made and what hard talks have been held in this house. Yet many of us have also personal memories of feelings experienced in those stirring August days a dozen years ago.

This day twelve years ago, the Estonian people yearningly waited for this rare opportunity given to us by history to be taken. Endless hesitation and excessive apprehension would have meant to relinquish our chance but, under those circumstances, caution was crucial too. The more we can appreciate today the fortitude of those politicians who late in the evening of 20th August fearlessly stood behind this historic decision marking the rebirth of our state.

At the same time, we should note that we took a step the people were warranted to expect since they had prepared for it both in their minds and with their deeds for a long time already. And therefore, on this present festive day, our special gratitude goes to common Estonian men and women who those days courageously stood up against totalitarianism and who, by now, have left the trials of transition period behind.

At this point, I would like to emphasize once more that it was our people who restored the Estonian independence. Neither any political force nor any politician has the privilege of being the restorer of our freedom and state. It was just the decisive emergence of national self-confidence in the Baltic States that lead to the gradual decay of the Soviet Union. That determined the future of many peoples and the face of today's Europe as well.

Those dramatic pioneering days have an outstanding place in our history. That time deserves to be told about to young people both today and tomorrow. The Estonian people can count themselves very lucky because the history enabled us on 20 August 1991 to restore our state without violence and casualties. Many politicians and analysts in the world admire it up to the present day.

We should learn quite a few things from history, among other things, how to stick together in deciding moments and, acting jointly, achieve important goals. Our own recent history exemplifies well how to understand and translate into practice wishes and efforts of the people, how to maintain a sensible dialogue with the people, and how not to speak in a harsh, commanding tone. It is crucial at the present moment, too, since Estonia again faces important decisions and choices deciding for many years our destiny.

The pending decision on the accession to the European Union is very significant and, with regard to our future, of an equally paramount importance like this one we made twelve years ago. Now we have the choice, whether to join this Europe, which at that historic moment of upheaval supported us and recognized our reinstated statehood. Whether to join Europe with whom we share common democratic values, with whom we belong to the same cultural area and who have supported our efforts during all those twelve years? Once again, our people themselves have to make a fundamental decision on their future.

I am confident that our accession to the European Union would be not only a logical step but also a logical continuation of the course taken in the late 1980s, in the days of our Singing Revolution.

I would also like to reaffirm here that Estonia is a democratic country where different opinions are respected and taken into consideration. And if many of our fellow citizens should still be hesitant or express their fears about the accession to the EU, they definitely have their reasons for that. The reasons may be, among other things, someone's omissions or slovenly work. It would, however, be lamentable if someone should regard Eurosceptics as fools or even adversaries and demand that they gave up their views. As we know well, that was customary in another country, from which we broke free a dozen years ago.

I am convinced that Estonia is a country where democratic principles including the freedom of thought are respected, and which is characterized by European tolerance for alternative opinions. We have had no less than twelve long years to learn it, however, some statements made recently have given the impression as if some of our politicians were longing for times when there was only one truth and only one opinion was permitted.

The historic moments in August 1991 gave us a good example of how to stick together, of how to gain friends and like-minded companions in order to achieve important goals. I do hope that we follow this example also while preparing for the upcoming referendum. And not only in doing this - also in a uniting Europe and a globalizing world the strength of a small nation consists in its internal unity and ability to reach accord in society.

I wish all of you a happy Day of Restoration of Independence!


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