Estonian Review 24 - 30 September 2010

PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER ADDRESS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FOREIGN NEWS
DEFENCE NEWS
ECONOMIC NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
CULTURAL NEWS

PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER ADDRESS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Ilves Emphasises Estonian Support for Afghanistan, Georgia

24 September - In his address to the UN General Assembly in New York, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves emphasised Estonia’s role in rebuilding Afghanistan and Estonia’s unconditional support to the complete independence and territorial integrity of Georgia, and also called upon the countries of the world to join forces in the fight against cyber terrorism. According to the President, Estonia directly participates in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals through its contribution to humanitarian operations ranging from Afghanistan to Haiti and in counselling emerging economies in the application of information technology solutions increasing the effectiveness of the state. "For Estonia, the development of ICT has been a crucial engine of economic development and modernisation throughout the last 20 years. This is why today our experts advise governments on ICT solutions all over the world,” said President Ilves in his speech.
The Estonian head of state called upon the countries of the world to unconditionally respect human rights, including freedom of speech and self-expression, and to respect the rules of international law that preclude the jeopardising of the independence of any state by threatening to use force or by using force.
According to President Ilves, “Estonia reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability of Georgia. Humanitarian issues and wider access to the conflict zone must be addressed. Furthermore, the free movement of people living within the internationally recognised borders of Georgia must be ensured,” said the Estonian head of state. “Without justice, efforts to ensure sustainable peace might easily be wiped out.”
President Ilves drew the world’s attention to the fact that confronting the security challenges of the 21st century depends on successful co-operation among all states, international and regional organisations.
“Facing cyber threats is no exception. Estonia urges broad cross-border and cross-sector capacity-building in protecting critical information infrastructures," said President Ilves.
“The necessity of closer co-operation among states, between the private sector and civil society, is critical when we realise that in case of a cyber attack, all traditional security measures may be rendered useless. I can assure you that all-encompassing preparedness will pay off when a real crisis strikes,” the Estonian head of state added.

Paet: We Must Support Women in Conflict Zones

26 September - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet spoke at the UN General Assembly conference dedicated to alleviating the situations of women in conflict zones. Speaking at the conference along with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Finnish Minister Elisabet Rehn, and many others, Paet emphasised that in order to improve the situation of women in conflict zones, increased attention and support will be required first. Paet stressed that women in armed conflict zones need help to get by in everyday life and to improve their opportunities and security. “During the past few years Estonia has carried out projects geared towards women, and our development co-operation projects have focused on women’s opportunities to protect their rights and increase their confidence and social activeness,” said Paet. “After the 2008 war in Georgia, Estonia sent psychologists to Georgia to counsel women and children suffering from war trauma. Our recent aid projects in Afghanistan have been geared towards improving the health-care skills of women. We also emphasise politics, in which women should play a greater role,” Paet stated.
At the conference marking the 10th anniversary of UN resolution 1325, which focuses on women and their security, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the broad spectrum of violence against women that takes place in conflict zones, from physical and sexual violence to psychological abuse. Ban called upon the nations to be focused in their endeavours and to increase their resources for aiding women in conflict zones.
This year’s UN General Assembly is focused on the Millennium Development Goals, particularly topics related to women, peace and security. Estonia is organising an international conference dedicated to the rights of women to take place in Tallinn in November.

FOREIGN NEWS

Foreign Minister Emphasises Development Co-operation in Blouin Foundation Speech

27 September - While performing at the Blouin Foundation conference in New York, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that two requirements for effective development co-operation are a significant reduction in corruption and the establishment of good governing standards in development co-operation partner countries.
Paet stated that giving aid to developing countries will remain less effective as long as sufficient steps are not taken in those countries to fight corruption and establish good governing standards and rule of law. “The goal of international development co-operation must be to fundamentally change our partner countries, not just constantly give them humanitarian aid. Without these kinds of profound changes, the motivation of donor nations to contribute to development aid will wane, and the financial fulfilment of development aid goals will be jeopardised,” Paet stressed.
At the conference, Paet gave the example that the European Union’s giving of development aid to third countries should conform to the EU’s values and political goals more than it has before. “Inevitably a question arises as to the efficiency of development aid if, for example, a country that receives consistent financial aid from the EU acts internationally in a way that is against the EU’s principles, or if it oppresses its citizens,” he added. The goal of the Blouin Foundation, which was founded in 2005, is to increase awareness of the challenges and opportunities of globalisation. This year’s conference was the fifth one organised by the foundation to act as a forum for think tanks dealing with leadership experiences, the academic world, international media, and state leaders.

Baltic-American Freedom Foundation Opened

24 September - Today in New York Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Latvian Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis and US Deputy Secretary of State John Steinberg announced the official opening of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), which will offer scholarships to citizens of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In the meeting prior to the opening, the foreign ministers focused on Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s relations with the United States of America.
Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia would like to intensify co-operation with the USA even more. “For Estonia it is important that this fall at the NATO, European Union-USA and OSCE summits, topics that are vital to USA-Baltic co-operation are discussed, especially regarding the security sector,” said Paet. “This scholarship programme opened today by me and my American, Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues creates more ties between the societies of the USA and the Baltic nations and strengthens reciprocal visibility,” he added.
The Estonian foreign minister also expressed his readiness to develop common development co-operation projects with the USA. “Estonia is becoming more active in developing its development co-operation sector and contributing to development in the world. In Afghanistan as well as in new democracies like Georgia, Moldova and others, we could carry out joint development co-operation projects with the United States,” said Paet.
Other topics addressed at the meeting were co-operation between the Baltic states and the USA in Afghanistan, arms control topics, and possibilities for resolving conflicts in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia and in Transnistria in Moldova.

President Ilves Meets with German Head of State

28 September - “Good relations between Estonia and Germany have two dimensions – on the one hand, our partnership is based upon the solidarity of the European Union and NATO member states and, on the other hand, we share common historical and cultural points of contact,” said President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at his meeting with President of the Federal Republic of Germany Christian Wulff, who was in Estonia for a one-day working visit.
President Ilves assured the German president that Estonia wishes to contribute to strengthening the euro area when it joins in three months’ time. "I have no doubt whatsoever: for the European Union to operate as an organisation, the rules must be the same for everyone, regardless of their size or local particulars,” said the Estonian head of state. “Estonia will continue with its current economic policy, which is focused on a conservative and balanced budget policy. This is the only way one can lay a foundation for economic growth in the long term, thereby serving the interests of all the citizens of the EU."
According to President Ilves, the now receding credit crunch vividly demonstrated weak spots in the economic policies of different countries, but he also pointed out the weaknesses of both the international and internal co-ordination mechanisms of the European Union. "All of this combined led to a weakening of the international strength of the euro zone and the credibility of the euro," the Estonian head of state said.
In his view, an important conclusion can be drawn from the crisis – a strong euro area serves everybody’s interests. "The efforts of all members are required for a strong euro area. Estonia supports the strengthening of EU budget policies,” President Ilves said.
Presidents Ilves and Wulff also had a long discussion on energy security. "A common energy policy is required to ensure the energy security of the EU, for better co-ordination of national energy policies, and to enable the entire EU to speak as one,” said the Estonian head of state, adding: “The establishment of a well-operating internal market is also required; energy links between the member states are the pre-requisites for that, which would finally link the Baltic states with Central Europe."
When speaking about Estonian-German relations, President Ilves recalled the fact that Germany has been one of Estonia’s main five trading partners for a long time and that these two countries are close allies in both the European Union and NATO.
“Our co-operation in the implementation of the Baltic Sea Strategy and Germany’s participation in both the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn and the air security mission of the Baltic states serve as examples of this. Also, members of the vessel defence team on the German frigate Hamburg will include Estonian Defence Force members, if and when the vessel is deployed to protect cargo ships during Operation ATALANTA,” said the Estonian head of state.

Reacting Quickly to Emergency Situations is Important to Estonia

28 September - During his meeting in New York with UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that reacting quickly to emergency situations is important to Estonia. “We have done so this year after the disasters in Haiti in Pakistan, when we have helped to co-ordinate the delivery of aid to those who need it. There are Estonian experts working in Haiti and Pakistan right now, co-ordinating the distribution of aid,” said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. “The construction of a field camp for 70 UN aid workers in the city of Sukkur in Pakistan was recently started with the help of some Estonian rescue experts,” Paet added.
The new UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos emphasised that co-operation with Estonian humanitarian aid co-ordinators and experts is good. “Our co-operation confirms that a contribution does not always have to be large financially in order to be effective,” said Amos.
Foreign Minister Paet also introduced Estonia’s plans for participating in international aid activities. “With the draft of the state budget approved by the government last week, Estonia is taking an important step towards fulfilling our international responsibilities,” Paet said.
Foreign Minister Paet also met in New York with representatives of the American Jewish Committee, with whom he discussed the suspended Middle East peace process and its developments, as well as co-operation with the Jewish community in Estonia. “The Estonian Jewish community is active. The main Jewish organisation, the Estonian Jewish Community, functions in accordance with statutes that are a continuation of the Jewish cultural autonomy that was originally declared in 1926,” said Paet during the meeting. “Estonia has condemned all crimes against humanity, including the Holocaust. The Holocaust is taught in our school system, and during the past few years many Estonian teachers have had the opportunity to supplement their knowledge at courses organised by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum,” Paet noted.

Estonian and Hungarian Presidents Discuss Cyber Security, Regional Strategies

24 September - Today President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves met his Hungarian colleague Pál Schmitt in order to discuss co-operation in the European Union and NATO, in addition to bilateral relations between Estonia and Hungary.
President Ilves commended Hungary's decision to join NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre based in Tallinn and thus contribute to the collective fight against contemporary security risks. “Sharing responsibility with Hungary on NATO's mission in Afghanistan, we also jointly perceive the broader dimension of security and the fact that in these days people's lives can be threatened by cyber attacks aimed against hospitals, power plants and other infrastructure. Facing such threats collectively is the only option,” assured President Ilves.
The central issue in today's discussion was Hungary’s priorities during its Presidency of the European Union in the first half of the next year. These included the adoption of the Danube Strategy, which would establish closer co-operation of the states situated on the banks of the River Danube under the aegis of the European Union. The Danube Strategy is based on the Baltic Sea Strategy. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves was one of the authors of the idea of the Baltic Sea Strategy five years ago while serving as a member of the European Parliament. “The Treaty on the European Union and the legislation in force create multiple opportunities for closer regional co-operation and, along with that, we can develop our economy, resolve environmental problems and, among other things, reduce bureaucracy,” said the Estonian head of state.
Presidents Ilves and Schmitt also discussed the issues of cultural relations and kinship between Estonia and Hungary, because in 2012 the Sixth Finno-Ugric World Congress will be held in Budapest and the Estonian head of state is expected to participate.
Hungarian President Pál Schmitt took office a month and a half ago, on 6 August 2010, and this was his first meeting with President Ilves.

Council of Baltic Ministers Meeting Held in Riga

24 September - At today’s Baltic Council of Ministers meeting in Riga, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius discussed regional economic and financial issues and co-operation in the field of security and energy. The prime ministers signed a joint declaration on co-operation objectives in all of the above fields.
Prime Minister Ansip said that it is especially important that Estonia achieve its goals in the field of energy. According to the Estonian premier, that means establishing a common, functioning electricity market in the Baltic states and enlarging the Nord Pool Spot bidding area to include Latvia and Lithuania. “Estonia is interested in creating an electricity market that is functional in practice in the Baltic states as one part of a common electricity market with the Nordic states,” Ansip said.
With regard to economic co-operation, the prime ministers discussed the need to continue structural reforms in all three countries. The officials said that Estonia’s changeover to the euro will support the development of the entire region’s economy. The premiers were also briefed on the development of the transport infrastructure of all three Baltic states.
The prime ministers expressed their approval of the creation of a working group on social issues, which will start tackling the task of developing unified health care services. The prime ministers also discussed Baltic-Nordic co-operation.
This year, the Baltic Council of Ministers is chaired by Latvia. Estonia will hold the presidency of the intergovernmental Baltic co-operation body next year.

Ilves Meets with Presidents of Namibia, Cape Verde

24 September - President of the Republic Toomas Hendrik Ilves met yesterday in New York with Head of State of the Republic of Namibia Hifikepunye Pohamba and assured him of Estonia’s readiness to share its skills and knowledge in establishing an e-governance system for Namibia. “The common strategy of the EU and Africa emphasises the need for co-operation in the IT sphere, and Estonia is willing to contribute to building up IT solutions in African countries, particularly Namibia,” said President Ilves. He added that Estonia welcomes representatives of Namibia to come and experience our IT achievements and participate in the training programmes offered by the e-Governance Academy.
Namibia, which gained independence in 1990, established diplomatic relations with Estonia in 2004. In the past number of years, the country has become popular among Estonian tourists looking for an exotic destination.
President Ilves also met yesterday with Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde José Maria Neves. Possibilities for co-operation in the IT sphere were discussed at the meeting—the same issues have already been discussed by the representatives of Estonia and Cape Verde at a number of previous meetings.
The head of state emphasised that after having achieved its main national goals by becoming a member of the EU, NATO and the OECD, Estonia is ready to expand its international communications network, and that includes to Africa.
Cape Verde, which gained its independence back in 1975, established diplomatic relations with Estonia in 1991; to date, relations between the two countries have been governed by co-operation in the IT sphere.

Paet Meets with Several Colleagues in New York to Discuss Visa Freedom, Bilateral Relations

28 September - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met in New York with Tunisian Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Murray McCully.
At his meeting with the Tunisian foreign minister, Paet proposed that Tunisia, as an important tourist destination, could offer visa-free entry to Estonian citizens. “Currently visa-free travel to Tunisia is only available for people travelling with tourism groups,” he added.
In addition, the Estonian and Tunisian foreign ministers discussed Estonia’s desire to become an observing member of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF). The Tunisian foreign minister expressed his support for Estonia to gain observer status during the International Organisation of the Francophonie summit in October.
At his meeting with Foreign Minister of New Zealand Murray McCully, the foreign ministers discussed opportunities to intensify economic contacts between the two nations. Paet noted that there is an agreement for working and holiday visas in effect between Estonia and New Zealand. “Since it came into effect in 2007, the working and holiday visa system has been used by 67 Estonians and 2 New Zealanders,” he stated. Paet also issued an invitation for McCully to visit Estonia.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet also met with Foreign Minister of Yemen Abu Bakr Abdallah al-Qirbi and Foreign Minister of Lesotho Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa.
The meetings focused on opportunities for intensifying relations with Yemen and Lesotho. Paet discussed matters related to developing economic co-operation and appointing reciprocal honorary consuls. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that in order to augment its relations and representation, Estonia would like to consistently expand its network of honorary consuls. “In many nations we are represented by and our citizens are aided by our active honorary consuls. We are interested in continuing to develop our network and would like to find opportunities to appoint honorary consuls in Yemen and Lesotho,” said Paet.
At the meetings with the foreign ministers of Yemen and Lesotho it was agreed to establish diplomatic relations between Estonia and Yemen and Estonia and Lesotho.

DEFENCE NEWS

Finnish Defence Chief Describes Estonia’s Progress as Impressive

28 September (BNS) - The commander of the Defence Forces of Finland, Gen. Ari Puheloinen, said while visiting Estonia's defence structures on Tuesday that the country's development has been impressive.
On the second day of his official working visit here, the Finnish defence chief visited Ämari Air Base and the 1st Infantry Brigade in Paldiski and laid a wreath at the Monument to the War of Independence in Tallinn.
"The development of Estonia's national defence is impressive. Estonia has in my view succeeded very well in developing various capabilities," Gen. Puheloinen was quoted by spokespeople for the General Staff in Tallinn as saying. The general said he saw the exchange of experiences in international military operations as a potential new area of co-operation for the two nations.
The commanders of the Defence Forces of Estonia and Finland spoke about the countries' experience in foreign operations, co-operation in the Nordic Battle Group in the future and participation of both countries in the EU operation ATALANTA. They also discussed bilateral co-operation in military training, matters related to joint procurements of equipment and weapons, as well as possibilities to deepen co-operation between the Baltic and Nordic countries.
"The national defence of Estonia and the national defence of Finland have many common aspects, as our countries are situated in the same security space," Estonian Defence Commander Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots said. "We have a lot in terms of experience to share with each other. Estonia has more experience in combat activity, whereas Finland on the other hand has more experience in the use and servicing of combat hardware. The joint procurement of air security radars is a good example of how we can save on defence expenditures," Lt. Gen. Laaneots said.
On Monday the Finnish defence chief met with Estonia's Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo and with Estonian volunteers who fought as part of the armed forces of Finland in World War II.
The Defence Forces of Estonia and Finland engage in intense co-operation in logistics. Also, military officers and senior officers from Estonia have received and continue to receive training in Finland. Both countries participate in the EU's Nordic Battle Group.
Puheloinen has served in different positions in the Finnish Defence Forces since 1971. Among other things he has been commander of a tank battalion and of armoured brigade, assistant military attaché in Moscow and head of the Finnish Eastern Command. He succeeded Adm. Juhani Kaskeala as Finland's chief of defence on 1 August 2009.

ECONOMIC NEWS

Ryanair to Launch Flights From Tallinn Starting 13 December

30 September (BNS) - The low-cost airline Ryanair will start flights out of Tallinn on 13 December, sales and marketing manager Laszlo Tamas said at a news conference in Tallinn on Thursday. He named Oslo Rygge, Stockholm Skavsta, Dublin, Edinburgh, London Luton, Duesseldorf Weeze and Milan Bergamo as destinations. Flights to Oslo, Stockholm and Dusseldorf are scheduled to begin on 13 December, to Dublin on 14 December, to Milan on 16 December, and to London and Edinburgh on 10 January. Ryanair has bases at all the above-mentioned destinations. The sale of tickets will start on the website of the carrier on 1 October.
Travellers arriving by Ryanair are expected to leave around 50 million euros in Estonia annually, he observed. Ryanair expects to carry 300 000 passengers annually on the aforementioned routes. If Ryanair does well in Tallinn during the first six months, new destinations can be expected.
One of the main reasons why Ryanair decided to come to Tallinn was the favourable terms offered to companies launching new flights by the local airport operator, Tallinna Lennujaam, Tamas said. Tallinna Lennujaam CEO Rein Loik told BNS that the favourable terms will be in effect for five years. The airport charges of a carrier opening new routes will be 75% lower than usual, and passenger-related expenses will be approximately 50% lower.
Ryanair expects to carry 73.5 million passengers on international flights this year. Its passenger numbers totalled 65 million in 2009.

South Korean Company to Start Using Lactic Acid Bacteria Developed by University of Tartu

28 September (BNS) - The South Korean Maeil Dairies Co. has started using Lactobacillus Fermentum ME-3, a strain of probiotic lactic acid bacteria developed by Estonia’s University of Tartu, in its Pure series of products.
Jane Saatre, the university's marketing manager for industrial property, said Hyang Rim Corporation, the distributor of the products of the Italian company Probiotical that industrially produces the bacteria, helped bring about the co-operation.
"Product development preparations and getting all the necessary permits from the local authorities took several years. The company also plans to use the ME-3 bacteria in a new series of products it has in the pipeline," Saatre said.
The university said Maeil Dairies Co. is using the bacteria under a non-exclusive license agreement which allows the right of use to be granted to other companies of the same region as well. For example, one of South Korea's largest dairy industry companies has shown interest in the bacteria as well.
Maeil Dairies Co. started work in 1969. The corporation has by now seven factories and sells imported products in addition to its own products.
The company's aim is to become by 2012 one of the 10 most successful food industry firms of South Korea with sales of 16.6 million kroons (EUR 1.06 mln), including 12.5 million kroons from the sale of food products.

Estonia to Spend EUR 161 Mln on Research and Development Next Year

30 September (BNS) - According to the 2011 state budget bill, the Estonian government plans to spend 2.52 billion kroons (EUR 161 mln) on research and development next year, of which external funding will make up 1.31 billion kroons. The sum represents a 4% decline from this year's, but a 23% increase in spending was written into this year's budget.
The outlays on research and development in 2011 form 1.09% of the anticipated gross domestic product. In 2013 this indicator is expected to reach 1.3%.
By area, the funding is concentrated in the domains of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Economy and Communications.
Of the 2.07 billion kroons to be allocated to the Ministry of Education and Science, appropriations for the Estonian Science Foundation make up 137 million kroons, base financing of science 112 million kroons, target financing 360 million kroons, and improvement of the infrastructure of research and development institutions 94 million kroons.
The R&D outlays of the Ministry of Economy and Communications amount to 318 million kroons including 120 million kroons in support for technology development centers and 163 million kroons for supporting technology renewal and productivity growth in enterprises.

Estonian Air’s Passenger Numbers Up 8 Percent on Year in August

28 September (BNS) - In August 59 197 passengers flew Estonian Air, which marks an increase of 8.2% against the same month a year ago. The number of passengers grew for the fourth month in a row, the national carrier said. Passengers of regular flights numbered 54 593, an increase of 10.3% on annual comparison. The number of passengers on charter flights at the same time contracted by 12.3%.
In the first eight months of 2010, Estonian Air had 383 271 passengers in all, 1.6% fewer than in the same period last year. The company carried 345 511 people on regular flights, down by 2.5% year-on-year. Estonian Air flew 361 361 passengers in all out of Tallinn in the eight months.
"The overall eight-month result is influenced by the decline in passenger numbers in the first four months. Since May passenger numbers have shown a growth trend and the overall decrease in passenger numbers has become smaller from month to month," Estonian Air vice president for commerce Rauno Parras said.
Estonian Air operated 6 768 flights in the eight months, 0.8% more on annual comparison. In August it performed 898 flights, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%.
In the first eight months the regularity of Estonian Air was 98% and the 15-minute punctuality was 86.8%. In August the corresponding figures were respectively 99.5% and 88.2%.

August Electricity Sales by Eesti Energia Up 12 Percent on Year

28 Septembe (BNS) - Estonia's national power utility Eesti Energia sold 799 gigawatt-hours of electricity in August, 12% more than during the same month last year.
Sales to retail customers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania totalled 475 GWh and sales at electricity exchanges and to resellers were 324 GWh. In both segments, growth of 12% year-on-year was recorded, the company said.
S ales to retail clients on the domestic market grew by 3% on annual comparison to 404 GWh. Latvian sales contracted by 13% to 28 GWh. In Lithuania retail sales soared from less than one gigawatt-hour in August 2009 to 43 GWh. At the end of August Eesti Energia had 81 retail customers in Lithuania.
The August sales were positively impacted by the growth of industrial production in Estonia and economic recovery, the company said. Electricity sales in Estonia have been influenced by the opening of the market and the launch of the Estlink price area of the Nordic energy exchange Nord Pool Spot in April. Lithuanian retail sales are influenced by a sales contract for 2010, the launch of the BaltPool electricity exchange in connection with the opening of the market at the beginning of the year and the addition of new retail clients on the open market.
Eesti Energia produced 16 000 tons of liquid fuels during August, nearly doubling output compared to August 2009.
Thermal energy sales by Eesti Energia amounted to 25 gigawatt- hours, 16% less than in August 2009.

Eesti Pagar Acquires Stake in Latvian Dinella

28 September (BNS) - One of Estonia's largest bakeries, Eesti Pagar, has acquired a holding in the third-largest Latvian bakery Dinella in order to expand operations. Eesti Pagar manager Veikko Vaarja said Dinella is a successful company with a strong market position that forms a good basis for expansion. Eesti Pagar acquired a controlling stake in Dinella, Vaarja told BNS, but declined to disclose the exact size of the holding.
"Dinella has an around 20% market share in Latvia at present, but based on Eesti Pagar's experience and know-how of both product development and marketing we shall surely be able to expand its activity," he explained. "A significant factor that led to the deal was also that we have both in Estonia and in Latvia two competitors of Finnish origin in common, and co-operation within the group will now make competing with them easier."
Dinella's new strategy will be finished in the coming months after which also the company's more detailed plans for the future will be made public. The parties have agreed not to disclose the price of the deal.
Last year the Latvian company produced 12 million kilograms of bakery products. Its sales totalled 201 million kroons (EUR 12.84 mln). Dinella employs 460 people. Eesti Pagar, whose output last year totalled 16 million kilograms, controls a third of the domestic market. Its sales amounted to 352 million kroons in 2009.
The Estonian-equity company says it is at present the second- largest bakery in Estonia. Based in the central Estonian town of Paide, Eesti Pagar employs more than 200 people.

SPORTS NEWS

Kanepi Beats Jankovic, Advances to Quarterfinals in Tokyo

29 September (ERR) - Kaia Kanepi, ranked 25th in the world, made it to the quarterfinals in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, after beating the world’s sixth racquet, Serbian Jelena Jankovic. After a bad start, Kanepi won both sets with a 6-4 score.
Overall, the 25-year-old Estonian has beat Jankovic three out of four times, once in the US Open a few weeks ago.
In the quarterfinals, Kanepi will play the winner of the French Open, Francesca Schiavone, who ranks eighth in the world. Kanepi has played with Schiavone three times, of which she has won once. The two will meet in the quarterfinals Thursday, aiming for a 1.5-million-euro grand prize.
Kanepi has played a superb season, winning a title in Palermo, and finishing in quarterfinals in Wimbledon and New York.

CULTURAL NEWS

Estonian Photography Exhibit in Amstelveen

30 September - Today an exhibit of Estonian photography (Eesti Foto) will be opened in Amstelveen, the Netherlands within the framework of the IV International Photography Biennial GRID 2010. This is the most extensive exhibit introducing the works of Estonian photographers to ever be displayed in the Netherlands. The works on display are by four distinctive and fascinating Estonian photographers – Ruth Huimerind, Peeter Laurits, and Tiit and Ivar Veermäe.
Over 20 nations from all over the world are participating in the Photography Biennial GRID 2010. The public gets to see 80 projects that must reflect the most modern and creative trends in contemporary photography. There are 60 exhibits in total that can be viewed in galleries and less traditional settings all over Amsterdam and the surrounding areas. This was the first time Estonia was invited to the Biennial. The Estonian exhibit was realised thanks to co-operation between the Estonian Embassy in The Hague and the Netherlands’ Sociale Verzekeringsbank.
The exhibit will remain open until 5 November this year.