| |
 | Speeches | | |
Address by the President of the Republic of Estonia Mr Arnold Rüütel Yerevan University 16 November 200416.11.2004
Estonia and Armenia in Present-Day Europe
Honourable rector,
Respected staff and students,
Your Excellencies
It is a great pleasure and honour for me to address you today in Armenia's most important institution of higher learning, Yerevan University, where many outstanding scientists as well as social and cultural figures have received their education. I will now present an overview of Estonia's process of accession to the European Union. And I will share with you some thoughts about what new opportunities for cooperation and mutual support the developments, that have taken place in Europe, are offering us.
To begin with, allow me to recall the time when the first contacts between Estonia and Armenia first developed. This was in the 19th century, when both countries belonged to tsarist Russia. We, Estonians, have reason to be proud of the fact that, during the years 1830-36, the founder of Armenia's modern literature and standard language, Hachatur Abovian, lived in our university town of Tartu, where he studied at the teachers' college and the university.
But Abovian was not, by far, the only outstanding Armenian who, during that period, acquired his higher education in Tartu. The enlightened educator of the people Stephanos Nazarian, the well-known poets Rafael Patkanian and Gevorg Dodohian, as well as many other Armenian intellectuals also studied there. Incidentally, at the beginning of the previous century, there were so many Armenian students in Tartu, that they even established their own national student organisations.
At this point, I would like to stress the fact that, although the relations between our two nations have, due to the great distances involved, not been intensive, they have always been very good. Even today, there is, in Estonia, an active Armenian community. Although not large -- consisting of about 2000 people -- it has adapted well to life in re-independent Estonia. The Tallinn Armenians got possession, a few years ago, of an old and unique church right in the centre of the city. Thus, the Armenian congregation has its own house of worship in our capital. The Armenians can gather there and hold services according to the customs and traditions of the world's oldest national Christian church.
Respected listeners,
Permit me to continue with a brief look at Estonia's experiences, during the last decade, in the sphere of European integration.
Historically, Estonia has been linked to the European economic and cultural space. This connection was severed for five decades by the Soviet occupation. To re-establish our position in Europe, we had to, in a short period, traverse a long and arduous road. In this, we were assisted by our precious heritage. The experiences stored there will also guide our nation's development in the future.
What should be brought forth from amongst our experiences? First of all, the fact, that the right to decide the people's future rests mostly in the hands of the people, since they are the highest power. The beginning of the Estonian process for regaining independence, at the end of the 1980s, has been named the "Singing Revolution". The immense crowd, which gathered in the capital's music festival grounds, sang patriotic songs. As well as, acquired, from the sense of solidarity that developed there, the will and strength to shape its own fate. Just as the Baltic peoples' sense of unity was demonstrated by the 600 km Baltic Chain, which stretched from Tallinn to Vilnius. This was formed by people, standing hand in hand on the 50th anniversary of the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
Secondly, I would stress, that today, on the 16th of November, 16 years ago, in the year 1988, the Estonian Supreme Soviet of that time adopted a declaration of sovereignty, thus giving a blow to the Soviet empire's foundations. This act established, that independence would be regained by parliamentary means and negotiations. By adopting the declaration of sovereignty on 16 November 1988, Estonia established the supremacy of Estonian legislation over the laws of the Soviet Union.
Thirdly, I would like to stress, that in a common struggle it is necessary to have allies. When regaining our independence, the cooperation of the three Baltic states was of major significance, as was our joint activity in the name of common goals, within the framework of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers.
Even before the regaining of independence, it was clear for many in Estonia, that only complete integration into Europe and transatlantic structures will ensure the lasting independence and stability of a small state in a complicated geographical location. At the time, we, naturally, did not know how long and complicated this process could prove to be. At the same time, we did not create any illusions for ourselves about the difficulties awaiting us. We were prepared for the efforts that would last for many long years.
Today, we can state, that actually, our European Union accession progressed more smoothly and more quickly than we could have even dared hope for in 1991.
Very briefly, I can list the following essential stages of development: in 1995, Estonia and the European Union concluded the Europe Agreement, which established free trade for manufactured goods. And with which the European Union recognised Estonia's desire for accession.
In 1997, we were invited by the European Union to participate in accession negotiations. These began in the spring of 1998 and ended in December 2002. After the concluding of the Accession Treaty, a referendum was held in Estonia in 2003. European Union accession was approved by the vast majority of Estonian citizens. And a little more than half a year ago, on 1 May 2004, Estonia, along with the other nine acceding states, became a European Union Member State.
The Estonian accession process, just as those of our Baltic neighbours Latvia and Lithuania, was positively influenced by the fact that our independence had been regained democratically and without violence. This created a reliable background for our endeavours, as well as ensured support and direct aid for our efforts to establish and start democratic institutions. Without them, our integration into Europe would have been unthinkable.
No less important in the formation of the European Union's attitude towards Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania was our trilateral regional cooperation. This demonstrated the will and capacity of our nations for joint cooperation. Very significant were the regular consultations and discussions between our governments and negotiating delegations. Our cooperation within the framework of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers continues to this day. Now many issues are solved within the wider context of the European Union.
Of course, the whole accession process was actually fairly complicated and trying. In parallel with the negotiations, intensive legislative work was being carried out -- the harmonization of Estonian legislation with European law. A major effort had to be made by lawyers, officials, and law enforcement personnel. And the workload of those in the negotiating delegation was especially great. At the same time, we, naturally, had no shortage of doubters and hesitators -- the so-called eurosceptics. There were both those who were categorically opposed to the European Union, as well as those, who recommended the delaying of accession.
But the mere half a year, which has passed since accession, has proven, that our choice was right. Opinion polls show, that public support for the European Union has, during this time span, steadily increased. Now, almost three quarters of the electorate has a positive attitude towards the European Union. The people sense, that the European Union has brought stability into their lives, and has helped to increase their welfare.
Therefore, Estonia has also supported the formulating of the European Union's new Constitutional Treaty. This document will help to intensify the European integration process. A significant step in the Union's continuous development process was the ceremonial signing of the Treaty on October 29, in Rome. This determined the distribution of competence among the EU institutions, increased the role of Member State governments in decision-making, made the Fundamental Rights Charter legally binding, as well as reinforced the implementation of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy. Estonia hopes, that after ratification by the Member States, the Treaty will give a new impetus to the increasing of the European Union's international influence.
Permit me, at this point, to add, that all I have said so far has not been European Union propaganda meant for you, my good Armenian friends. But rather, a summary of how, after regaining independence, Estonians have tried to solve their national existential problems.
I'm convinced, that, in dealing with specific circumstances, we made the only true choices. At the same time, Armenia's economic and security environment is markedly different, and requires the making of decisions appropriate to your own national interests. I believe, that the European Union, and Estonia as its member, will do everything to assist Armenia's endeavours for developing a market economy and democracy, as well as for increasing cooperation with the European Union.
Taking a broader look at the European Union, I would like to stress, that membership does not imply something final and unchangeable. Quite the opposite -- the European Union, just as the nations of which it consists, constantly develops and alters. It can perhaps be said, that the European Union is actually an embodiment of the process of development. For Estonia, just as for the other states included in the last wave of accession, it was important to acquire the right to participate in this process together with our Western European partners.
We could not, and did not want to, just observe how essential decisions concerning the future of Europe, or in other words, the future of all of us, are made without our opinions being considered. Especially, since our close neighbours Sweden and Finland became European Union Member States in 1995. And our economic links with the European Union, especially with Finland and Sweden, were increasing at a very fast pace ever since the beginning of the 1990s.
It cannot be denied, that for Estonia, and the other new members, the technical and material aid that we have received till now, and will continue to receive, from the European Union's institutions, as well as the structural funds for developing our society and economy, have been of major significance. The structural funds are meant for the maximum reduction of developmental differences within the European Union. They also symbolize the Union's internal solidarity, with the goal being the creation of a region with an equable level of development.
This solidarity, so characteristic of the European Union states, reaches beyond the EU's borders. Thus, the European Union is the world's biggest donor of development aid. Estonia is also very aware of the fact that belonging to the European Union entails not only receiving, but giving as well. And this is done, primarily, by participating in the European Union's common policies and programs. Thus, after accession, Estonia has increased the resources, that it devotes to development cooperation with states outside of the EU.
My dear Armenian friends,
Welfare and security are the European Union's main objectives. But, they are dependent not only on developments within the Union, or within states participating in the accession process, but also on the prevailing condition of the environment surrounding the Union. We call this zone the European Union's "new neighbourhood". The population of this region, stretching from Morocco to the Caucasus, has a total population of nearly 400 million. And to this must be added Russia with its 140 million people.
It is apparent, that more intensive economic, political, and cultural cooperation with the Southern Caucasus, Ukraine, and Moldova, as with the states of the Western Balkans, Middle East, and North Africa is of major significance for the security, welfare, and competitiveness of Europe as a whole. It is just as essential to help solve the "frozen conflicts" in the neighbouring states and regions.
Therefore, it is completely natural, that the European Union is devoting ever more attention to the European Neighbourhood Policy. Its objective is to help increase social and economic welfare in the Union's immediate proximity. Besides this, the European Union is, of course, continuing to aid developing countries elsewhere in the world. In Estonia's opinion, the greater attention now being paid to the Union's nearby regions is a step in the right direction.
The Neighbourhood Policy has a major place among the priorities established in the Estonian Government's European Union Policy for the Years 2004-2006, that was approved by the Government last spring. It states, that in Estonia's opinion, the European Union should significantly increase its efforts to assist the development of democracy and stability in Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and the states of the Southern Caucasus. This means that concrete action plans should be drawn up to achieve these objectives.
The development of relations with the new neighbouring states is based upon individual action plans. We are happy about the decision adopted last June at the European Union's General Affairs and External Relations Council session to include the states of the Southern Caucasus in the European Neighbourhood Policy process. The Commission plans to release country reports dealing with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan by the end of 2004 or the spring of 2005.
Hopefully, next year, it will already be possible to start talking with Armenia and the other Southern Caucasus states about formulating concrete action plans, which are the basis for realizing neighbourhood cooperation. One of the basic principles of the European Neighbourhood Policy is the "joint ownership" of joint cooperation projects by both the EU and the partner state involved. This means the implementation of projects, which meet every partner state's individual requirements for developing democracy and market economy, as well as more intense cooperation with the European Union.
It is obvious, that the proper development of a new policy with goals as ambitious as the Neighbourhood Policy requires a new approach from the European Union, as well as extensive resources. Therefore, Estonia supports, in the drawing up of the European Union's new financial framework, among other things, the European Commission's proposal to increase the financing of the European Neighbourhood Policy from the Union's budget.
Dear listeners,
Let us take a closer look at the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, or ENPI, which is open to all European Neighbourhood Policy partners, and makes it possible to finance projects in partner states. On September 30, the European Commission presented a more detailed plan, which establishes the ENPI's political framework and stipulates the types of programmes to be implemented, as well as how they will be administered and realized. Estonia's position is, that each state must be dealt with on an individual basis. Action plans can be formulated on the basis of the level of progress and preparedness of each state.
Within the framework of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, Estonia continues to also support the solving of so-called "frozen conflicts" in Moldova and the Southern Caucasus. We find, that the European Union's role in the solving of these and other regional conflicts should be increased. Estonia, just as all the other European Union Member States, is interested in the stable development of the whole Southern Caucasus region. We support the peaceful and constructive solving of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, between Azerbaijan and Armenia, within the framework of the Minsk process and the efforts of international organisations to end the conflict.
And now, a few words about Estonia's transatlantic cooperation. Together with our membership in the European Union, we regard our NATO membership as being our most essential security guarantee. Estonia is now in its eighth month of NATO membership. We are continuing to actively participate, within the limits of our capabilities and available resources, in NATO's crisis management operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
The NATO summit in Istanbul, last June, confirmed the validity and vitality of the Alliance's activities, as well as the need for the further development of its capabilities. The NATO Partnership Policy is becoming one of these priorities. Estonia knows, from its own experiences, how essential the Partnership Policy is. And therefore welcomes the further development of the partnership programme with the Southern Caucasus and Central Asian states.
Cooperation with new neighbours is an activity where the experiences of the European Union's new Member States with carrying out political and economic reforms are especially valuable. We are capable of seeing problems from approximately the same viewpoint as the new neighbours. Estonia's main contribution to the European Union's Neighbourhood Policy could primarily be in the field of information and communication technology, as well as with e-governance. This is a sphere in which Estonia has been quite successful.
As an example, I would bring forth the E-Governance Academy, which was, in the summer of 2002, jointly established by the Estonian Government, the UN Development Programme, and the Information Programme of the Open Society Institute. The purpose of this unique institution is to improve the public and third sector's cooperative capabilities in the communication and information technology sphere.
This is a suitable introduction to the matter of Estonian and Armenian cooperation. After the Estonian foreign minister visited Yerevan in 2001, significant progress has been made in the development of our bilateral relations. That same year, a training seminar for Armenian civil servants was jointly organized by our Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Roads and Communications.
In 2002, in cooperation with our Ministry of Social Affairs, a seminar was held for Armenian specialists concerning Estonia's health and health insurance reforms. During the same year, Estonia's Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Justice familiarized Armenia's senior government officials with our experiences concerning the implementation of civilian control over the state's security structures. And a little over a year ago, in September 2003, an information technology training session was held for Armenian civil servants in the aforementioned E-Governance Academy. And I'm glad to be able to add, that, practically at this very moment, another e-governance training course is starting for Armenian civil servants right here in Yerevan.
Taking into consideration the fact that both Armenia and Estonia are quite small, and, at the same time, well developed in the information technology sphere, we in Estonia believe, that there are good perspectives for promoting cooperation between the two countries in the IT field. Estonia is also ready to share its experiences concerning banking, privatisation, and the technicalities connected with joining the World Trade Organization.
I stated earlier, that although the relations between our two nations have always been very good, they have not been especially intensive. The latter is also true when it comes to out present economic relations. In this field, there is definitely plenty of untapped potential. I've been accompanied to Yerevan by a group representing the Estonian business community. They, of course, came here to meet their Armenian colleagues, and to see what possibilities there are for realistic business cooperation. I'm sure, that our good relations in the political field, along with our increasing contacts, have created a suitable atmosphere for also intensifying economic ties.
Honourable rector, respected staff and students, excellencies,
Please allow me to finally express my conviction, that the positive effects of European Union enlargement will help to further develop the political and economic environments of our two nations, so that an even greater level of stability is achieved. I also believe, that, due to our joint efforts, Armenia will be able to successfully develop its democratic society as well as increase its people's welfare. I wish you well in your endeavours!
I thank you, for your attention.
Yerevan University 16 November 2004
|
| |
|
vpk.ee
