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US Visa Waiver Programme (continued from page 1) "At that time, we spoke about the Visa Waiver Programme as something in the future, but as something that was self-evidently necessary situation between two strong allies," President Ilves said. "I am glad that now—after mutual thorough consultations and the resolution of technical issues— we have arrived this far." President Ilves acknowledged the effective cooperation in the fields of the interior and justice of the two countries as well as between diplomats that preceded Estonia joining the United States Visa Waiver Programme. "The negotiations and the concluded agreements regarding the exchange of information necessary for the prevention of serious crime only serve one objective, which is a safer and more secure world for our people," the Estonian head of state said. President Ilves invoked a broader view of safety and security than usual and focused on the topic of cyber security. According to President Ilves, the amendment of international law and domestic legislation is important for guaranteeing cyber security, into order to make it possible to pursue cyber criminals and hold them accountable. In addition, the owners of information systems must understand their responsibility for the rational utilization of these systems, the Estonian Head of State said. One must also not forget that international steps to guarantee cyber security must not hinder the opportunity for the unrestricted use of information technology. In Estonia, the Visa Waiver Programme will apply to Estonian citizens who must have a biometric passport for travel to the United States; an electronic application must also be filled out at least 48 hours before the trip, which will ascertain within a few minutes whether the person is welcome in the USA or not. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff also met with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, who stated that the USA is demonstrating great trust in the Estonian nation and its citizens with its decision. However, Foreign Minister Paet also made it clear at the meeting that Estonia thinks it is important that the USA Visa Waiver Programme be expanded to include all European Union nations. Georgia Must Focus on the Future 3 November - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Georgian Head of State Mikheil Saakashvili in Riga. Both heads of state were participating in the third Riga Conference on foreign and security policy. “Georgia and its friends must focus most emphatically on the future, and only on the future— this implies self-confidence, democracy and the intensification of democracy, a market economy, and the consolidation of society,” President Ilves said. The Estonian head of state affirmed support for the continuation of Georgia’s NATO-directed reforms. “The consistency and decisiveness of the efforts made in this regard has been a powerful engine for the reform policies of all the countries that have aspired to accession to NATO, which does not let governments deviate from the course of democratic reforms and prevents them from running aground,” President Ilves said. Speaking about the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Estonian head of state considered it important that all the points of the 12 August and 8 September peace plans of French President Sarkozy be fulfilled. “I hope that the European Union observers, who are doing a very good job in the region, will soon also get access to South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” President Ilves said. President Ilves Congratulates Barack Obama 5 November - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves sent congratulations on behalf of himself and the people of Estonia to Barack Obama on being elected as the new president of the United States of America. "I look forward to further strengthening our two countries' already strong bilateral relations in the challenging years ahead of us and greatly appreciate, along with all Estonians, the support you offered us during the presidential debates," President Ilves wrote. "You can count on me and the government of Estonia to be a trustworthy partner in reinforcing relations between the European Union and the United States," he added. "As NATO allies, we look forward to your Presidency to work together to make the trans-atlantic bond even stronger." According to President Ilves, Estonia is deeply grateful to the United States for its role in defending and furthering the cause of freedom and democracy in the world. "I am convinced that under your leadership as president, we, Europe and the United States, can tackle and resolve the economic and security challenges of our time." Estonian and Latvian Presidents Met in Riga 3 November - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who was attending the third Riga Conference on foreign and security policy, met with Latvian Head of State Valdis Zatlers. Presidents Ilves and Zatlers focused on the global financial crisis and its possible impact on the economy of Europe and, more specifically, the Baltic countries. “In order to cope in the current complicated situation, countries must definitely have financial reserves and a realistic budgetary policy,” President Ilves stressed. Heads of State Ilves and Zatlers considered cooperation and the exchange of information between countries to be important, and this especially between neighbours, which are inevitably affected by each other’s developments. “Regardless of the challenges in the near future, we must have the wisdom to direct our gaze beyond today and see the greater goal and challenge of joining the euro zone,” President Ilves said. “If we accept this challenge, all subsequent decisions must be seen through this prism.” Adopting the euro has been the third important factor in defining the security of the Baltic countries
after accession to NATO and the European Union, President Ilves affirmed. Presidents Ilves and Zatlers also discussed the Russian policy of the European Union after the Russian-Georgian war. Mediterranean Union Sets Example for European Union Co-operation with Eastern Neighbours 4 November - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the meeting of the Mediterranean Union foreign ministers that took place in Marseille, France. The foreign policy leaders talked about the future of Mediterranean Union co-operation. To advance the Middle East peace process and accelerate co-operation in the region, the ministers approved the greater involvement of the League of Arab States in Mediterranean Union co-operation. “The Arab League plays a vital role in advancing the Middle East peace process, and including the League in Mediterranean Union co-operation will strengthen partnership and help with ensuring stability,” said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. According to the Estonian foreign minister, co-operation with states on the southern and eastern banks of the Mediterranean sets a good example for European Union co-operation with its neighbours to the east. “Positive developments in the co-operation between the European Union and its Mediterranean partners creates a good situation for implementing a similar model with the European Union’s eastern partners, especially Ukraine and Georgia, for their more rapid integration into European Union cooperation structures,” said Foreign Minister Paet. The foreign ministers agreed to establish the Mediterranean Union Secretariat in Barcelona. The European Union’s partnership with the countries on the southern bank of the Mediterranean, which was established in Barcelona in 1995, was the foundation for the creation of the Mediterranean Union in the summer of this year. The ministers also discussed the implementation of Mediterranean Union projects. At the Paris summit on 13 June 2008, it was agreed to initiate co-operation projects for reducing pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, developing sea traffic and land transport, using solar energy, protecting citizens in the case of a natural disaster, promoting higher education, and supporting small businesses. The Mediterranean Union includes all European Union member states and countries along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. FMs of Estonia, Palestinian Authority Hope for Successful End to Peace Process 4 November - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority Riyad al-Maliki in Marseille. Topics discussed at the meeting were the situation in Palestine and the peace process. The ministers also discussed co-operation with the European Union for advancing the peace process and bilateral relations. According to Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority Riyad al-Maliki, the European Union plays a very important role in backing the Middle East peace process. Estonian Foreign Minister Paet stated that the peace process that began in Annapolis must continue regardless of the extraordinary election taking place in Israel in February of next year. “The peace process must progress and it must end with the creation of the Palestinian state,” said Paet. “The promises made at the Annapolis meeting must be adhered to, and moves that would jeopardise the negotiations process should be avoided,” said Paet. In addition, Foreign Minister Paet stated that the European Union Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), to which Estonia also contributes, must continue. “It is surely necessary to also extend the EU Border Assistance Mission at the Rafah Crossing Point,” he added. Paet said that Estonia will help to increase the capabilities of the Palestinian security and public sectors. “We consider achieving peace in the Middle East to be essential from a regional and global security standpoint,” said Paet. At the end of last year, Estonia decided to support the Palestine-Israel peace process that was re-initiated at the Annapolis meeting with 12 million kroons (1 million USD) during the years 2008-2010. According to the foreign minister, this is the largest contribution Estonia has ever made for the resolution of a global conflict. “We hope that this sum will help with the creation of a Palestinian state, including the creation of effective security forces, and help to hold off future armed attacks against residents,” said Paet. Paet and al-Maliki also talked about bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Paet stated that Palestine asked Estonia to share its experiences with constructing an e-state. “Currently we are making preparations to help Palestine develop an e-state and e-government,” Paet said. EC Launches Public Consultation of Baltic Sea Region Strategy 3 November - The European Commission launched an online public consultation of the EU's future Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Member states, regional and local authorities, NGOs, inter-governmental bodies, and the general public are invited to put forward their views on the strategy between now and 31 December 2008. "To make this strategy a success, we need to work together with member states, with regions and cities, the private sector, interest groups and the public. We want as many people as possible onboard and that is why we are launching this online consultation," said Danuta Hubner, EU regional policy commissioner. "We need your ideas, your energy, your knowledge and your expertise to help us deliver the best results, for the benefit of all," Hubner added. The consultation seeks feedback on the four main proposed objectives of the strategy: to make the region more environmentally sustainable, to make the region more prosperous, to make the region more accessible and attractive, and to make it safe and secure. Since the 2004 enlargement of the European Union, when Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland became members of the European Union, the Baltic has practically become an internal EU sea. The Baltic Sea Strategy is also seen as a practical channel of co-operation with Russia, the only non-EU country on the Baltic Sea. The initiative for the Baltic Sea strategy came from the European Parliament, and one of its initiators was then member of the European Parliament, now President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves. The European Council has asked the 3
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