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The President of the Republic At the dinner hosted by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr Georgi Parvanov and Mrs Zorka Parvanova in honour of the President of the Republic of Estonia and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel Sofia, May 26, 200526.05.2005
Honourable Mr. President,
Honourable Mrs. Zorka Parvanova,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I feel honoured to begin my state visit to your country in your beautiful capital Sofia. Since the very moment of our arrival we have experienced a feeling of warmth from being among our friends. Here - at the crossroads of different influences, we can clearly understand the diverse history of our continent.
Looking back at the history of our nations we could find many similarities. Being located in the immediate neighbourhood of bigger states, we both have been touched by the whirlwinds of history. They have dishevelled us, but we have always found strength, wisdom and stamina to overcome them and have managed to remain ourselves.
With the present state visit, I would like to continue high-level content-rich and fruitful communication between our two countries. Today we have to make joint efforts on political, security and economic levels, since we both are member states of NATO and will very soon become partners also in the European Union.
This is the reason why on my visit I am accompanied by a big business delegation. I am confident that the contacts established here will bring us a lot of benefit as they help to intensify the relations between our countries and help us to learn about each other better.
Honourable Mr. President!
I am delighted to be here at this historic moment, in spring of 2005, when Bulgaria has signed the Accession Treaty to the European Union. Just two weeks ago your Parliament ratified the Accession Treaty to the European Union by an overwhelming majority, which makes it possible to become a member of the EU in 2007. Such success is definitely worth of high recognition and it has been achieved thanks to strong willpower, belief and convictions that your people and your governments have possessed overcoming scepticism and doubts.
The Estonian experience has proved that the accession to the EU is a strong development and stability factor. NATO continues to have a central role in building up the defence of Europe, but at the same time the European Union is taking up increasingly bigger share in the political space of our continent. I am deeply convinced that the European Union has to strengthen its position, and to have a bigger say in international affairs. This is the only way how to guarantee that the political influence of Europe would correspond to its economic influence.
In the world that is split by numerous hotspots of tension, a strong and unified Europe would be a balancing force, and we all would win from it.
The perspective of the EU accession facilitated the implementation of quick and extensive social-economic reforms in Estonian society. At the same time, it focused the activities and goals of the entire state administration. This is a valuable package of experience, which we are ready to share with Bulgaria.
I am sure you know that Estonia traditionally has close cooperation both with the Baltic as well as with the Nordic countries. The Nordic-Baltic cooperation continues to be important for us, and Bulgaria is certainly interested in that activity, as many aspects of such regional cooperation could be introduced also on the Balkan Peninsula.
I am very pleased that we can discuss together the above- named topics. This will continue the extensive dialogue that has developed between Bulgaria and Estonia. What we have built up in the field of our political, economic and cultural relations, both on local as well as on personal level, deserves attention already today.
On behalf of myself, my wife and the whole delegation, let me once again to thank you, Mr. President, for the hospitality and warmth you have extended towards us. Allow me to raise a glass to the prosperity of people of Bulgaria, to the friendship between our countries, and to your personal happiness and success!
To your health!
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