Address by Foreign Minister Kristiina Ojuland at the Conference "European Neighbourhood Policy": A Wall or a Bridge?
Tallinn, Estonia
19 November 2004
Dear Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to welcome all of you. It is very appropriate that this particular conference is being held in the capital of Estonia. History has taught the Estonian nation, that practical cooperation with neighbouring countries is essential for our economic welfare and national security.
The year 2004 has been a year of significant changes for Estonia. We are no longer a "nation in transition". Accession to the European Union has increased the opportunities available to Estonia. EU membership means considerably bigger responsibilities and commitments. It is a sort of new beginning for Estonian foreign policy on a much more demanding level. Estonia shares the conviction of the Member States’ majority, that the European Union’s international role needs to be increased. Hence, we have to continue working not merely towards further integration within the enlarged Union, but also, towards more active cooperation between the Union and its neighbours. The accession of the new states is proof that the European Union does not plan to isolate itself. The intensifying of integration within the Union is accompanied by the paying of greater attention to neighbouring states and regions.
The total population of the neighbours of the enlarged EU is nearly 540 million. It is essential to create the means for economic integration, as well as for the intensification of political and cultural interrelations. Of equal importance is the promotion of cross-border and regional cooperation.
It is evident, that security and prosperity in Europe depend, among other things, on the stability of the countries in the immediate vicinity of the EU. It has been central to European efforts to promote and support the circle of security and prosperity around the Union. Hence, the formulation of the European Neighbourhood Policy is extremely important. As we comprehend it, the European Neighbourhood Policy is definitely a bridge, not a wall.
On the eastern borders of the Union, helping Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and the countries of the Southern Caucasus to develop a democratic society, an effective market economy, and a vibrant civil society contributes to the security and prosperity of Europe. Along the southern borders of the Union, the Western Balkans, as well as the countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa, are our partners.
Active involvement is also expected from the countries that these policies are aimed at. Ukraine and Moldova have set a good example by expressing a clear wish for a more intensive level of partnership with the EU.
Dear participants,
The historical background and recent reform experiences of the new Member States are particularly useful when it comes to developing relations with the European Union’s neighbours. Estonia already has substantial experience with carrying out bilateral development assistance projects with several countries, Ukraine and Georgia in particular.
I would like to point out, that many of Estonia’s development assistance projects are realized in cooperation with Estonia’s non-governmental organisations. For instance, last year, the Estonian Fund for Nature implemented a project in Murmansk, Russia, to promote the organizational activities of the indigenous people, the Kola Saami. Presently, the Estonian Society of Nature Conservation is involved in a project of consulting Georgia’s Ministry of the Environment, the goal of which is the enhancement of civil institutions’ knowledge about environmental protection.
Estonia’s contribution could be particularly valuable in the information and communication technology sector, as well as in the sphere of e-government. This is where Estonia has been rather successful in adopting new technologies and carrying out major changes. I would like to point out, that Estonia’s development assistance potential lies primarily in our ability as well as willingness to provide advice and counselling based upon knowledge and experience. In the summer of 2002, the Government of the Republic of Estonia, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Information Programme of the Open Society Institute jointly established the e-Governance Academy here in Tallinn. The main purpose of this educational institution is to improve cooperation between public and private sectors in the information and communication technology field. The target countries of this joint project are, first of all, Central and Eastern European countries, countries of the CIS, plus Asian countries. And future plans also involve African countries. By today, the e-Governance Academy has successfully carried out training courses for officials from Albania, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, and other countries.
Of particular importance are the relations and cooperation between the European Union and Russia. The ratification of the PCA protocol by Russia has created a basis for the further development of EU-Russian relations within the framework of the Four Common Spaces.
The enlargement has created entirely new opportunities for EU and Russian cooperation. It goes without saying, that tighter economic relations between the European Union and Russia are useful and beneficial for both. However, the European Union’s common values and democratic standards should not be sacrificed for economic gains. The European Union should maintain its efforts to thoroughly convince Russia, that the continuation of its democratic and market economy reforms is necessary for successful economic cooperation with the EU.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Successful cooperation can and should also be promoted at the non-governmental level. One way to develop democracy and foster civil society is to intensify cross-border cooperation at the regional and local level. We hope, that the adoption of the new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument will increase the possibilities for more actively engaging our partners in mutually beneficial cross-border cooperation. Estonia is strongly committed to continuing the development assistance projects in the neighbouring countries. Various already existing structures and initiatives can provide a useful framework for such cooperation. There is also ample evidence, that contacts between local authorities, business communities, and non-governmental organisations can create positive results.
The enlargement of the European Union has contributed to making Europe more secure and more prosperous. The European Neighbourhood Policy should widen further this zone of stability based upon democratic principles and economic welfare.
We, Estonians, have not forgotten the days when we were supported in our aspirations. Today, we are a nation, that wants to help its neighbours - to help those neighbours who want to help themselves. I do hope, that this conference encourages us to find new ways for involving the civil society of both the European Union’s Member States and the Union’s neighbours in the building of a better future for our peoples.
Thank you for your attention!
19 November 2004
Dear Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to welcome all of you. It is very appropriate that this particular conference is being held in the capital of Estonia. History has taught the Estonian nation, that practical cooperation with neighbouring countries is essential for our economic welfare and national security.
The year 2004 has been a year of significant changes for Estonia. We are no longer a "nation in transition". Accession to the European Union has increased the opportunities available to Estonia. EU membership means considerably bigger responsibilities and commitments. It is a sort of new beginning for Estonian foreign policy on a much more demanding level. Estonia shares the conviction of the Member States’ majority, that the European Union’s international role needs to be increased. Hence, we have to continue working not merely towards further integration within the enlarged Union, but also, towards more active cooperation between the Union and its neighbours. The accession of the new states is proof that the European Union does not plan to isolate itself. The intensifying of integration within the Union is accompanied by the paying of greater attention to neighbouring states and regions.
The total population of the neighbours of the enlarged EU is nearly 540 million. It is essential to create the means for economic integration, as well as for the intensification of political and cultural interrelations. Of equal importance is the promotion of cross-border and regional cooperation.
It is evident, that security and prosperity in Europe depend, among other things, on the stability of the countries in the immediate vicinity of the EU. It has been central to European efforts to promote and support the circle of security and prosperity around the Union. Hence, the formulation of the European Neighbourhood Policy is extremely important. As we comprehend it, the European Neighbourhood Policy is definitely a bridge, not a wall.
On the eastern borders of the Union, helping Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and the countries of the Southern Caucasus to develop a democratic society, an effective market economy, and a vibrant civil society contributes to the security and prosperity of Europe. Along the southern borders of the Union, the Western Balkans, as well as the countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa, are our partners.
Active involvement is also expected from the countries that these policies are aimed at. Ukraine and Moldova have set a good example by expressing a clear wish for a more intensive level of partnership with the EU.
Dear participants,
The historical background and recent reform experiences of the new Member States are particularly useful when it comes to developing relations with the European Union’s neighbours. Estonia already has substantial experience with carrying out bilateral development assistance projects with several countries, Ukraine and Georgia in particular.
I would like to point out, that many of Estonia’s development assistance projects are realized in cooperation with Estonia’s non-governmental organisations. For instance, last year, the Estonian Fund for Nature implemented a project in Murmansk, Russia, to promote the organizational activities of the indigenous people, the Kola Saami. Presently, the Estonian Society of Nature Conservation is involved in a project of consulting Georgia’s Ministry of the Environment, the goal of which is the enhancement of civil institutions’ knowledge about environmental protection.
Estonia’s contribution could be particularly valuable in the information and communication technology sector, as well as in the sphere of e-government. This is where Estonia has been rather successful in adopting new technologies and carrying out major changes. I would like to point out, that Estonia’s development assistance potential lies primarily in our ability as well as willingness to provide advice and counselling based upon knowledge and experience. In the summer of 2002, the Government of the Republic of Estonia, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Information Programme of the Open Society Institute jointly established the e-Governance Academy here in Tallinn. The main purpose of this educational institution is to improve cooperation between public and private sectors in the information and communication technology field. The target countries of this joint project are, first of all, Central and Eastern European countries, countries of the CIS, plus Asian countries. And future plans also involve African countries. By today, the e-Governance Academy has successfully carried out training courses for officials from Albania, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, and other countries.
Of particular importance are the relations and cooperation between the European Union and Russia. The ratification of the PCA protocol by Russia has created a basis for the further development of EU-Russian relations within the framework of the Four Common Spaces.
The enlargement has created entirely new opportunities for EU and Russian cooperation. It goes without saying, that tighter economic relations between the European Union and Russia are useful and beneficial for both. However, the European Union’s common values and democratic standards should not be sacrificed for economic gains. The European Union should maintain its efforts to thoroughly convince Russia, that the continuation of its democratic and market economy reforms is necessary for successful economic cooperation with the EU.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Successful cooperation can and should also be promoted at the non-governmental level. One way to develop democracy and foster civil society is to intensify cross-border cooperation at the regional and local level. We hope, that the adoption of the new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument will increase the possibilities for more actively engaging our partners in mutually beneficial cross-border cooperation. Estonia is strongly committed to continuing the development assistance projects in the neighbouring countries. Various already existing structures and initiatives can provide a useful framework for such cooperation. There is also ample evidence, that contacts between local authorities, business communities, and non-governmental organisations can create positive results.
The enlargement of the European Union has contributed to making Europe more secure and more prosperous. The European Neighbourhood Policy should widen further this zone of stability based upon democratic principles and economic welfare.
We, Estonians, have not forgotten the days when we were supported in our aspirations. Today, we are a nation, that wants to help its neighbours - to help those neighbours who want to help themselves. I do hope, that this conference encourages us to find new ways for involving the civil society of both the European Union’s Member States and the Union’s neighbours in the building of a better future for our peoples.
Thank you for your attention!
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