Address on Estonia’s Foreign Policy to the Riigikogu on Behalf of the Government of Estonia

Address on Estonia’s Foreign Policy to the Riigikogu on Behalf of the Government of Estonia

21.02.2012

Honourable Chairman,
Respected Members of the Riigikogu,
Dear guests,

President Lennart Meri has said: “In a changing world, the winner is the one who moves together with the world, yet at a slightly faster pace than the world”. This is our foreign policy goal – to have the ability to react to and anticipate the changes happening in the world, whether they affect our security or our welfare. Estonia is becoming more and more tied to far-off regions, though a majority of our everyday ties remain here in Europe.

To put it briefly, the government’s primary foreign policy goals this year are as follows: To stand up for Estonia’s security interests at the NATO summit in Chicago. To contribute to a solution for the European economic and debt crisis. And to support Estonian companies all over the world. In order to do all of this, we also must turn our attention to our network of representations and its development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In times of crisis we run the risk of forgetting everything else. It is important to us that other problems do not damage our security – the foundation without which there is no well-being.

NATO’s next summit will take place in May in Chicago, where the allies will consider how NATO’s defence capability corresponds to today’s needs. The USA’s leading role remains essential even after the reduction of defence spending and forces stationed in Europe. The USA will remain tied to Europe, but it is clear that European allies will have to do more. The alliance as a whole must ensure that deterrence capability does not decline. Estonia’s defence spending in 2012 equals 2% of its gross domestic product. With this proportion, we are fulfilling the obligation we accepted when we joined the alliance. Other than Estonia there are, most likely, only three NATO members that will accomplish this goal in 2012. As this is not a symbolic milestone but rather the answer to a concrete need, we must ensure that the 2% requirement remains among NATO’s primary goals.

We must not forget that there are many countries outside of NATO that are increasing their defence spending. In our region the ongoing militarisation of Kaliningrad is cause for concern, as is the increase in armed forces stationed in Leningrad and Pskov oblasts.

I am pleased that on 8 February the North Atlantic Council approved the continuation of the NATO air policing mission over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The current and ongoing air policing mission is an excellent example of the intelligent use of the allies’ joint resources and capabilities – the successful implementation of the “smart defence” concept. In the future an important role in ensuring airspace security will also be played by Ämari air base, which is Estonia’s largest defence facility.

From the perspective of Estonia and Europe, security policy plays an important part in the upcoming US presidential elections, with issues including changes in the US defence budget and military missions. For us it is essential that the USA remains dedicated to strong allied relations with Estonia. Estonia does not take this close relationship for granted – we are constantly working on it both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Through our participation in the ISAF mission, Estonia along with its allies is contributing to our collective security. Afghanistan is still a priority country for Estonia in terms of security policy as well as development co-operation. Unfortunately our participation in Afghanistan has come at a very high price. It is with great respect that we remember the Estonian soldiers who have fallen to protect the lives of others and the security of Estonia, the most recent among them being Corporal Agris Hutrof. 

In Chicago the alliance would like to confirm a strategic action plan for Afghanistan that will define the mission’s activities for the next few years. Last year the process of handing over responsibility for security began, during which Afghanistan will gradually take over responsibility for security from the forces of the international mission. The transition process has also started in Helmand Province, the area of responsibility of Estonia’s soldiers. In order for the people of Afghanistan to trust their own armed forces – and for our role in Afghanistan to diminish – they must first and foremost trust their country. At the Afghanistan conference held in Bonn on 5 December, it was confirmed that international aid would continue for at least ten years after the security responsibility transition is completed.

For Estonia, development co-operation in Afghanistan is becoming more important. We will continue leading the health care segment of the Provincial Reconstruction Team’s work in Helmand Province and starting up a training centre for medical workers. In Kabul we focus our activities on education and good administrative practice. We will also continue contributing to the NATO Training Mission and the European Union Police Mission. We would like to help Afghanistan reach the point where it can ensure basic services and the further development of these services for its own citizens.

An important security policy area in which Estonia is and will remain active is cyber security. NATO has adopted a policy that sets out the principles for cyber security as well as an action plan for implementing them. Last year we also continued working on involving our allies in the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence located in Tallinn. The USA and Poland joined the centre, and hopefully the Netherlands and Turkey will do so soon. We would like for cyber security to improve as a result of the work done by the EU, Council of Europe, UN, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe as well.

Two years ago the NATO foreign ministers met in Tallinn for the first time. An important event this year will be the meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Estonia. The future development of NATO will be discussed among 28 countries and 14 partners. This will be a good opportunity for Estonia to address the defence-related issues that are important to us.

We would also like to develop the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy. The policy supports and supplements NATO’s role as the primary ensurer of our security. It is clear that the European Union must endeavour to do more than it has before.

The government supports the initiative of the Weimar Triangle – Poland, Germany and France – to strengthen the EU’s crisis management capability. Shared capability is especially important at a time when the defence budgets of member states are decreasing. The EU’s ability to plan and lead missions and operations must be improved. The European Union must have truly functional rapid response capabilities, and in order to make this happen Estonia is prepared to participate in the Nordic Battle Group again.

A concrete example of our contribution to the EU Security and Defence Policy is our participation in the anti-piracy operation Atalanta in co-operation with France and Germany. In addition to military missions, Estonia plans to continue contributing to the civil missions of the EU, UN, and the Organisation for the Security and Co-operation in Europe. In April of last year the Participation in International Civil Missions Act came into effect, which regulates experts being sent to participate in civil missions. There are currently 17 civil experts sent by Estonia participating in international missions. In the future we must contribute even more in this area.

Respected Riigikogu,

The European debt crisis is in the international spotlight. It is not a euro crisis, because excess debts and deficits are a problem regardless of the currency. The solution is responsible fiscal policy. This has worked out well for Estonia, but any feeling of superiority is inappropriate. Our neighbours’ concern is also our concern – this goes without saying in a single market environment. But we can be satisfied with the fact that Estonia’s image in the EU has grown stronger within the past year – we joined the euro, our economy took an upswing, the headquarters of the EU IT agency is coming to Estonia. “Do not forget the Estonians. They are the best of Europeans”. These words were spoken by Otto van Habsburg in London back in 1993.

I already mentioned the threat that crises can pose to security. An inability to perceive the reality and conform to changing circumstances has brought forth populists in many places in Europe. Extremists from both the left and the right are ready, without hesitation, to fill the empty spaces left in the European political landscape by the departure of such great figures as Václav Havel and Otto van Habsburg this past year. This is all the more reason why we need clear support for balanced and reasonable policies and more faith in one’s country.

Europe has the means to get out of this crisis successfully. EU member states have strengthened financial discipline, mutual macroeconomic monitoring, and the rules of financing. We have agreed to reduce debt burdens and deficits. We have created reserve funds and the temporary European Financial Stability Facility is fast becoming the permanent European Stabilisation Mechanism. European countries are not the only ones that have tremendous debt burdens, but we are the ones who have done the most to get them under control. This is also demonstrated by the fiscal pact signed by 25 countries, which in the future will hopefully apply to the entire EU. What also deserves mentioning is the free movement of people, capital, goods and services, which is unique in the world. Although the EU has a long way to go in improving competitiveness, the further development of the single market – including the single digital market – is the most effective means the EU has to stimulate economic growth. Therefore I would extend what I said about having faith in one’s country to all of Europe.

Honourable members of Riigikogu,

The implementation of a steadfast and effective EU Neighbourhood Policy is also important for strengthening Europe’s security and well-being. In December of last year the EU decided to open negotiations with Moldova and Georgia for concluding Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements. Last year negotiations drew to a close for an EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, but the signing of the treaty depends on domestic developments in Ukraine. Considering the current political situation in Belarus our communication with the country centres solely on supporting civil society, the opposition, and independent media, which we have done while also seeking new opportunities. But the situation must change. The human rights violations in Belarus are unacceptable.

The revolutionary processes that began in Europe’s southern neighbourhood, in other words the Arab world, have triggered Estonia’s growing interest towards developments there. We are looking into opportunities to help, whether by building up institutions that support democracy or by developing technical solutions in order to implement e-state opportunities more widely, which we have done for example in Tunisia. The whole world wins if, after the crumbling of corrupt and autocratic governments, Arab peoples can find a path towards a more free and fair society. Right now the people of Syria need the support of the international community. The European Union, like the West in general, will continue to put pressure on Syria’s regime even if some countries attempt to hinder these actions.

Along with the changes in the Arab world, getting Israel-Palestine relations in order also continues to demand our attention. Both peoples have a right to live in a peaceful and safe environment. A prerequisite for this is a two-state solution. Regardless of the complicated nature of the situation and the apparent deadlock, it is essential to continue international efforts to create an atmosphere that is conducive to bilateral negotiations. A solution will only be possible if one-sided steps that damage the process are avoided in the future. We must also keep a close eye on events in Iran that threaten the whole region and directly affect the peace process.

In terms of European Union enlargement, the most important achievement was completing accession negotiations with Croatia in June of last year and signing the accession treaty at the end of last year. In March we will present the Croatian accession treaty to the Riigikogu for ratification. Croatia’s accession to the EU is a good example of the EU keeping its promises if all the agreed conditions are fulfilled. Hopefully we can soon begin accession negotiations with Montenegro and Macedonia and give candidate country status to Serbia. The rapid progress of negotiations with Iceland could hopefully lead to EU accession quite soon. Turkey is and will remain important to the EU. The accession process, which is useful for both Turkey and for the European Union, must continue.

Respected members of Riigikogu,

The Nordic-Baltic, or NB8, region is one of the most rapidly developing in the world. Politically, economically, financially, socially, and in other areas, all of these countries are in very good or fairly good condition. This still applies if we include Germany and Poland in addition to the NB8 countries, as they make the Baltic Sea region even stronger.

As the chairman of Baltic co-operation last year, we focused on three sectors: energy, transport, and knowledge-based economy. The development of Rail Baltic is absolutely necessary. The firm support of Finland and Poland for this project is also important.

Looking forward, the year 2014 is shaping up to be the year of the Baltic Sea for Estonia, as we will be the chairman of NB8, Baltic co-operation, and the Council of the Baltic Sea States all at once.

For both Estonia as well as our close EU neighbours, one of the most vital questions is sustainable energy. In this area the most important thing is connecting energy and gas markets among countries. The European Commission has done very good work to start connecting energy islands with the European Union market. The plan to connect the energy markets around the Baltic Sea is the best example of this process. When the Estlink-2 electric cable is completed, Estonia’s connectedness to the Nordic electric network will improve significantly.

Issues that must be resolved in the ongoing year are the conclusion of the agreement to build the Visaginas nuclear plant in Lithuania and agreeing on the location for a liquefied natural gas terminal. Looking at the next few years, one of the biggest challenges will be the complete integration of the energy systems of Estonia and our Baltic partners with the European Union.

One of Estonia’s chief priorities in the EU is the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Good work has been done on further developing the strategy during Poland’s presidency, and we hope Denmark will continue this. In order to ensure that the implementation of the strategy is supported with the necessary financial resources, we hope to update the Baltic Sea Region Strategy action plan during Denmark’s presidency. We are also working towards getting the Baltic Sea Region Strategy funding principles affixed in the next EU financial framework.

Dear Riigikogu,

It is essential that the European Union continues to support the development of democracy, rule of law, and civil society in Russia. Hopefully it will one day be possible for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to give a positive score to the level of freedom in Russian elections. The fact that civil society in Russia is growing stronger is a very welcome development.

After negotiations that lasted nearly 20 years, Russia is joining the World Trade Organisation. This will have a positive effect on our trade relations. In answer to Estonia’s biggest concerns, export duties placed on roundwood by the Russian side will decrease and railway taxes for inter-Russian and cross-border goods transport will become standardised.

Also in focus in Estonia-Russia relations is the updating of the contractual relationship. In 2011 we signed a social security agreement and the implementation protocol for a readmission agreement. We also changed the passage point agreement. 
                                                                                               
Honourable Riigikogu delegates,

The wider world around us is influencing Estonia more than ever before. The issues that seemed worlds away from us twenty years ago are now demanding more and more of our attention.

Estonia’s goal this year is to be elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2013-2015. The protection and promotion of human rights is one of Estonia’s priorities. From year to year we have made our international human rights-related activities more effective, focusing in particular on the rights of women and children. In terms of human rights, one important development is that an Estonian representative will be leading the work of the International Criminal Court’s Assembly of States Parties for the next three years. This is recognition of Estonia’s activities thus far in supporting the International Criminal Court and international tribunals.

Estonia is a rule of law state. Therefore freedom of speech and expression on the internet have recently been in the spotlight and will remain there in the future. Freedom of expression on the internet is a human right and the government stands by this principle. At the high-level internet freedom conference that took place in The Hague in December, Estonia joined a coalition of countries that believe that freedom of expression is a human right in the cyber environment as well. Internet access should be supported and expanded. Freedom of expression on the internet will surely become one of the topics that we will develop further internationally if we become a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Development co-operation is an aspect of every state’s global responsibility. We would like to increase the official portion of the state budget dedicated to development co-operation to at least 0.17% of the GDP by the year 2015. Our development co-operation contribution has increasingly been tied to introducing e-state services and supporting our partner countries in developing this sector.

Afghanistan – which I already spoke about – and the European Union Eastern Partnership countries continue to be the priority partners for Estonia’s development co-operation. We primarily focus on Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus. The topics that are most important to us include strengthening the education sector, promoting good administrative practice and democracy, and supporting the economy. As of last year, supporting the reform processes in Eastern Partnership countries and training officials has been handled by the Estonian Centre of Eastern Partnership.

From year to year Estonia has dedicated more and more humanitarian aid to alleviating human suffering in crisis zones such as South Sudan, Pakistan, Libya, and Côte d’Ivoire. In addition to the deadly earthquakes in Japan and Turkey, in 2011 the attention of the world was also on the Horn of Africa, where the biggest famine of the last 20 years developed.

Globalisation creates new needs as well as new opportunities. The Estonian public initiative “Teeme ära!” gave rise to the global movement “Let’s Do It!”. The movement’s goal this year is to collect 100 million tons of garbage in 100 countries with the help of 100 million volunteers. This is just another good example of how if an Estonia idea is good, it will be taken up by the world. Small size is not limiting.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Estonia must grow in the world as well as in Europe, but also grow in the world along with Europe. Asia’s economic rise and global attention on that entire region are reflected by Estonia’s foreign policy. It is an up-and-coming region with a lot of potential for us. To put it figuratively we are only at the start of the path in our relations with Asia, but the dynamic of the past few years is demonstrated by the increase in our representations in the Asia-Pacific region as well as a significant increase in the number of high-level reciprocal visits. The activities of the Riigikogu with regards to Asia are also welcomed, and the upcoming Asia discussion will play an important role.

Relations with India are more active than ever before. Last year three Indian ministers visited Estonia. Estonia’s e-governance experience is a subject of reciprocal interest. The Estonian Development Fund’s India foresight project is mapping out economic and business relations and future opportunities more generally. In order to support the endeavours thus far, help create business ties, and ensure consular services on-site, the government decided to establish an Estonian embassy in New Delhi – this will also help to promote educational and cultural contacts.

Although the earthquake in Japan in March and the ensuing accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant disrupted many plans for co-operation, continued communication showed the strength of our relations. In addition to the obvious moral and political support, Estonia has also made its financial contribution in the humanitarian aid sector, donating through the Japanese Red Cross. Regardless of the difficult circumstances, we have also found new opportunities for comprehensive economic co-operation with Japan. A good example is the unique project being carried out with Mitsubishi from 2011-2013: since we sold part of our carbon credits quota to Japan, there are plans to establish a country-wide infrastructure for charging electric cars and over 500 Mitsubishi electric cars will soon be on Estonian roads.

Co-operation with China is ongoing and developing both bilaterally and internationally. In 2011 we opened an honorary consulate in Hong Kong, whose work and activities will hopefully help to promote business ties between the countries and provide support to Estonian citizens living in the area – much like the Shanghai consulate general, which achieved full working status last year.

Another topic receiving growing attention is intensifying relations with countries in South-East Asia. This region is important in terms of both future economic as well as security interests. About a month ago I returned from a joint visit to Indonesia with Finnish Minister of European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb and Estonian and Finnish entrepreneurs. Co-operation with our close neighbours the Finns took on a new dimension. During this year we will name ambassadors residing in Tallinn to the most influential South-East Asian countries, including Indonesia, in order to strengthen ties and make co-operation more effective.

Establishing representations in Central Asia forms a connecting link between Europe and East Asia. Work has begun at our embassy in Astana, from which we also represent Estonia in neighbouring countries in the region.

Along with Asia another rising star is Brazil, which rose to sixth place among world economies and with whom Estonian relations have recently become closer. It remains in our interests to achieve visa-free travel for Estonian citizens to Brazil. The establishing of a Brazilian embassy in Tallinn allows us to address issues of mutual interest more regularly.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Traditional diplomacy and its importance have not gone anywhere. But attention towards business and foreign economic relations grows deeper all the time. All economic sectors and companies’ endeavours are important to the Foreign Ministry. In addition to our embassies, we have also been getting our honorary consuls more involved in this field of activity.

Estonian export grew 38% last year compared to the year before. Therefore Estonia’s total export turnover is higher than ever before. Our foreign trade deficit is one of the smallest we’ve ever had. Our primary trade partners are still our neighbours – Finland, Sweden, Russia, and Latvia. In light of what I said before we must realise that although Asia’s economies are rising on the global stage, the most important things for Estonia are still its own neighbourhood and the European single market, which have plenty of untapped potential.

The co-operation among the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Enterprise Estonia, Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other business development organisations has been good. Many information days and seminars have taken place in Estonia and in foreign markets. One notable event was the aforementioned joint visit with our Finnish neighbours to Indonesia.

Due to globalisation and new responsibilities in foreign policy, a greater need developed to analyse the network of Estonian representations. We currently have 46 foreign representations, among them 33 embassies, 7 permanent representations, 4 consulate generals, one special mission, and one chancery. Estonia has 144 honorary consuls in 66 countries. We are analysing opportunities for the foreign service to better achieve its goals in a changing world. When it comes to our goals, our European and transatlantic relationship is irreplaceable. Estonia’s security and well-being are most closely tied to the EU, NATO, and our neighbourhood.

However, we do not leave the dynamic developments happening in the rest of the world unnoticed. The interest of Estonian companies and people towards far-off regions has grown. In the year 2011 we opened an embassy in Kazakhstan and a consulate general in Sydney, and soon we will open our embassy in India. We are considering the possibility of establishing a representation in Brazil. In the future we may also consider representations in the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and in the Balkan countries. In addition to this, the Foreign Ministry has continued expanding the network of honorary consuls and including them in providing support for our companies.

Honourable Riigikogu,

Last year we saw success in the cultural diplomacy sector, an area that is important to the government. Tallinn was also the European Capital of Culture.

The large-scale Estonian cultural festival “Estonie Tonique” that took place in Paris in 2011 was the biggest Estonian cultural event ever held abroad. More than 200 performers from Estonia took part in the diverse programme and over 50 events were held. Estonia was also the main guest country at the Helsinki Book Fair. Last year teaching materials based on the documentary film “The Singing Revolution” reached classrooms in the USA – through these about a million US students will learn about Estonia’s recent history. The restoration of St. John’s Church in St. Petersburg played a significant role in building up a cultural bridge with Russia.

Ladies and gentlemen,

When our citizens find themselves in trouble, helping them is naturally the priority of every state institution. The most serious case was the kidnapping of seven Estonian citizens in Bekaa Valley in Lebanon on 23 March.

In January of 2011 disturbances erupted in Egypt. In co-operation with Finland’s consular services, we were able to bring home all the people in Cairo and the surrounding areas who wished to leave. The most important thing is that not one of our citizens was harmed during these events. In March, when Japan was struck by an earthquake and a tsunami, our embassy helped Estonian citizens in the area and arranged transport for those who wished to evacuate Japan.

During the year 2011 our consuls completed 50 123 registered consular operations, which is 34% more than in the year before. We accepted 146 395 visa applications, which means a yearly increase of 21%. The Foreign Ministry’s goal is to do everything it can so that Estonian citizens can always count on help and support from their state should they need it when they are abroad. For this the Foreign Ministry has significantly increased its consular capacity.

Thank you for listening. I thank you all for your co-operation and wish for a more peaceful world for us all.