Estonian Embassy in Budapest :: News & Events

Estonian Week in Hungary

Wed, 04 May 2011 12:59:24 GMT

The Estonian Week is the biggest annual event in Hungary introducing Estonian culture. In 2011 the Estonian Week will be co-organized by Estonian Institute in Hungary, Szimplafilm and Szombathely Universities.

The events will be held in Budapest, Szeged and Szombathely.

The program features prized new Estonian films - "A Friend of mine", "Snow Queen" and "The Temptation of St Tony"; documentaries "Time is Here", "World Champion", "National Happiness" and "91 Kilometers" as well as student films.

The ensemble Vägilased will give a concert in budapest; a reading theatre performances will be held, presenting Mart Kivastik's play "Nokia 3310".

A glimpse of Estonian current photography will be offered by an exhibition of Fred Jüssi's works "Stone Patters" and Peeter Langovits' "Days Counted".

More information:

Estonian Institute in Hungary; Anu Kippasto

Phone: (+36) 1386 2462

E-mail: budapest@estinst.ee

http://www.esztorszag.hu/

The election of the XII Riigikogu

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:24:22 GMT

Estonia will go to the polls on 6 March 2011, to elect the 101 members of the country’s unicameral parliament (the Riigikogu) for the next four years.

Young Estonian designers at Design Week in Budapest

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:16:31 GMT

The exhibition displays works by the students and graduates of product design at Estonian Academy of Arts as well as works by the Moholy-Nagy Art and Design University design students.

The exhibition features furniture, ceramics and textile. The works of young Estonian designers features national motifs, environment-friendly approach and innovative design, but they also reflect a search for one's place in today's art scene of Estonia and the art market.

The exhibition will be opened on Oct 8 by Viljar Lohu (director of the Young Estonian Artists' Union) and Dániel Barcza (director of the MOME design department).

More information:

Estonian Institute in Hungary

Phone: (+36) 1386 2462

E-mail: budapest@estinst.ee

http://www.esztorszag.hu/

Estonia to reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the meeting of Nato Foreign Ministers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:49:52 GMT

For security reasons, Estonia will reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the unofficial meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers from 17 – 23 April in Tallinn. To ensure the highest possible level of public policy and internal security, controls at the border will be introduced at Estonia’s border with Latvia and at ports and airports.

Border controls will be carried out in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code and State Borders Act.

Scholarship "Estophilus"

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:11:41 GMT

The Estonian Institute offers scholarships to holders of a doctoral degree or Master’s or Doctoral students who are citizens of a foreign state and are studying at a university abroad, to write a research paper on an Estonia-related topic or to gather material for it.

The deadlines are 01 March and 01 October.

The scholarship is designated to cover subsistence expenses, tuition fees and costs directly connected with the research; it may be granted for a period ranging from five to ten months. The scholarship for a five-month period is 40 000 EEK.

Knowledge of Estonian is an advantage but not a requirement.

The scholarship is granted by the Council of Academic Studies of Estonian Language and Culture Abroad, involving experts when necessary. The scholarship is financed by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research and administered by the Estonian Institute.

Applying

The following documents should be presented for applying:

The completed application form
CV
Certificate proving the applicant’s status as a postgraduate student or a copy of a document proving his or her PhD degree
Plan of research
Written confirmation from an Estonian research or development institution to receive the applicant
For postgraduate students a recommendation from their research supervisor

The applications and accompanying documents, marked "Estophilus", should be submitted both by electronic and regular mail to the secretariat of the Council at the Estonian Institute, Suur-Karja 14, 10140 Tallinn.

Further information can be obtained via e-mail katrin at einst.ee or phone + 372 6 314 355.

Application form (in Estonian and English)
Instructions for applicants:
in Estonian
in English

Scholarship regulations (in Estonian)

The grantee must present to the Estonian Institute a report of about the use of the scholarship during two months after the end of the scholarship period.

Exhibition of works by Estonian painter Nelly Drell are at display in the Embassy of Estonia from October 7 to December 29

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:28:23 GMT

Exhibition of works by Nelly Drell was opened at the Estonian Embassy on October 7 and will be open for public until December 29.

The exhibition is open for viewing on Tuesdays and Thursdays 14.00 - 16.00.

To access the exhibition please bring picture I.D. and register in advance by calling or e-mailing, admission is free of charge.
Tel: +36 1354 2570
E-mail: Embassy.Budapest@mfa.ee
Address : Áldás utca 3, 1025 Budapest

Hungary: Baltic Sea culture festival in Budapest

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT

The Baltic Sea Festival takes place in the Hungarian capital Budapest from 3 September to 15 October. The Baltic Sea Festival is a joint project by the Danish Cultural Institute, the Royal Danish Embassy, the Goethe Institute, the Polish Institute, the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, the Estonian Institute, the Finnagora and the Embassy of Sweden with the initiative of the Budapest cluster of the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC). The main coordinator of this undertaking is the Estonian Institute in Budapest.

The aim of the festival is to introduce the Hungarian public to the cultural similarities and differences of the European Union peoples living by the Baltic Sea, focusing on sustainable environment. The other aim is to encourage cultural dialogue and cooperation between the Baltic Sea countries and Visegrád countries (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland).

Festival is the first extensive cooperation project of the Baltic Sea countries in Hungary, including participants from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Finland, Denmark and Sweden.

The Estonian film programme presents Veiko Õunpuu's Empty, Sulev Keedus' Georgics and Ove Musting's Old Men's Paradise. Clarinet player Meelis Vind plays at the Budapest Jazz Festival. The literary programme "Murder Night" deals with thrillers; Estonia is represented by Indrek Hargla.

The design programme contains exhibitions concentrating on sustainable way of life and a creative approach to environmental protection. Estonian representative is Reet Aus with her display Talking Dresses. The installation consists of eight specially designed dresses, made from various second-hand materials. Each dress has a sound improvisation in cooperation with the Estonian-Finnish singing actor Ingrit Vaher and the Finnish sound technician Ville Hyvönen (see www.reetaus.com, www.villehyvonen.fi).

The festival homepage: www.eunic-hungary.eu/balticsea.

Consular Assistance for EU, Norwegian and Swiss citizens at Sziget festival 2009

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:21:11 GMT

If you plan to visit the Sziget festival which will be held from August 10-17 in Budapest, it might happen that you loose your bag, passport or other important documents. In some cases you will need to contact your Embassy for assistance.

Most EU Embassies and the Embassies of Norway and Switzerland and the delegation of the European Commission in Budapest have decided to create a joint service point at the festival in cooperation with the Hungarian ministry of Foreign Affairs. This service point will be open from 12-17 August from 14.00 till 18.00 hours.

In case you end up in a situation in which you might need assistance from your Embassy, please come to the ‘Civil Island’ which will be created at the festival territory and go to the ‘World Tent’. There you will find employees from one of the participating countries who will try to help you finding a solution for your troubles. You will recognize them wearing a black EU t-shirt or cap with the text: ‘E4U assistance’ written on it. Although they might not speak your own language, they will be able to help you with information and advice on what to do next.

Enjoy the Music (but be careful with your belongings)!

Estonia is waiving the visa invitation requirement

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:28:40 GMT

Estonia is simplifying the visa application process for people travelling to Estonia. On May 7 the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) approved an amendment that will waive the visa invitation requirement. The amendment will enter into force on July 30. Visa invitations submitted to and approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board before July 30 will be valid in foreign missions of Estonia as documents certifying the travel purpose within 6 months following the date of the corresponding decision,Waiving the visa invitation requirement means that those applying for visas no longer have to present an invitation approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board or other form of invitation, and from now on other documents will be sufficient to prove the purpose of travel.

The waiving of the invitation requirement will make the visa application process faster and easier. All other requirements will remain as before.

The most important thing for the visa applicant is to present his or her travel plans honestly and clearly and to fill in the visa application with his or her contact information and primary address of residence in Estonia. It is also required to submit documents that certify the purpose of travel and prove the existence of sufficient resources to cover return travel, sustenance and accommodation. It would also be useful for the applicant to indicate his or her connection to Estonia (for example, documents proving marital or family status, or a letter or email written by the person being visited in Estonia describing the person’s connection to the visa applicant).

The consul still reserves the right to ask the visa applicant or relevant individual or organisation to present oral or written explanations of the need for a visa. As before, the consul may request documents that certify the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen area upon the expiration of the visa: return tickets, sufficient means of subsistence, proof of employment, proof of real estate in the country of residence, proof of ties with the country of residence (family ties, professional status) etc.

To prove the purpose of travel, the following supplementary documents could be submitted (the list is non-exhaustive):

For business travel: written confirmation from the company organising the meeting, conference, etc.; invitations/tickets to a fair or seminar; documents that prove the existence of business ties or certify the applicant’s connection to or status in a company.

For personal travel: documents confirming accommodation (hotel reservation, a letter or email which confirms that the receiver will allow accommodation for the visa applicant); travel package; copies of travel tickets.

Exhibit of Estonian jewellery artists in Budapest

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:00:00 GMT

The exhibit Living ornament (Elav ehe), which introduces the works of contemporary Estonian and Hungarian artists, was opened in the gallery Magma.
Estonia is represented in the exhibit by Anneli Tammik and Kristi Paap, while Hungary is represented by Marta Edocs and Fanni Kirali. The artists are united by a similar approach to the art: in creating jewellery, they look to motifs from nature and from their own surroundings.
Anneli Tammik's jewellery is based upon two motifs-spirals and snowflakes. The spiral is a symbol of the cyclical nature of the universe and a metaphor for the course of life. Snowflakes embody exquisiteness and order simultaneously with their inevitable transience. For the artist, the snowflake is a perfect image of nature and the strongest symbol for representing the Nordic spirit.
Krtisti Paap's pieces in the exhibit originate from her earlier series Luba kasvada suureks and her last collection Rohulibled on ainult üks hetk. The inspiration for the jewellery series Luba kasvada suureks was the childhood photos of the artist and her colleagues. Rohulibled was a manipulation of organic forms and lifeless materials-it's an herbarium of necklaces and brooches, collected memories and visions, buds and roots.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the animated film Jewellery Box (Ehtekarbike) was also completed, which ties jewellery with its own unique graphic world. The creator of the film is Szilvia Nyitrai, who is also the curator of the exhibit.

Fingerprints in travel documents

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:35:51 GMT

Starting from June 29th, 2009, all applicants of Estonian travel documents are required to give their fingerprints. The fingerprints are included onto the chip inside the passport cover. Children above the age of 6 are also required to give fingerprints, children below the age of 6 will not have to give fingerprints. As the result of compulsory fingerprint-giving, the procedure of applying for repeated passports by mail will change. In the future, it is possible to apply for a repeated passport by mail only in the case when the person has already received one passport containing fingerprints and less than 2 years have passed since the issuance of this passport.

It is possible to apply for a repeated passport by mail until June 28th, 2009 (passport applications bearing a postal stamp of a later date will not be reviewed without fingerprints - the applicant will have to go to an Estonian foreign representation or to Estonia to give fingerprints). Applications for repeated passports until June 28th, 2009 can be submitted by those persons, whose passport will expire soon (a few months are left until the expiration date) or by persons who for any other reason would like to receive a new passport. There are no changes in the procedure of applying for the initial passport (applications can be turned in at Estonian foreign representations, it is not possible to submit them to the Honorary Consuls). Additional information concerning the fingerprint-taking, use of fingerprints and other questions can be found on the website of the Citizenship and Migration Board.

Estonian Culture Week in Hungary

Tue, 05 May 2009 21:00:00 GMT

For the second year in a row the Estonian Institute has organised an Estonian Cultural Week in Hungary from 6-10 May. This year the main focus will be on Estonian film.

In addition to the Told cinema in Budapest, films will also be shown at the Apollo cinema in Debrecen. The goal of the film selection is to use the best examples to show the various facets of new Estonian cinema-the selection includes animated films (Priit and Olga Pärn's "Life Without Gabriella Ferri" (Elu ilma Gabriella Ferrita), Mait Laas's Kings of Their Time ("Ajameistrid"), Kaspar Jancis's Crocodile ("Krokodill")), documentary films (Andres Maimik's Radical ("Radikaal"), Agne Nelk's Lotman's World ("Lotmani maailm"), Aljona Polnaine's Revolution That Wasn't ("Revolutsioon, mida ei tulnud"), Arbo Tammiksaar's Nazis and Blondes ("Fritsud ja blondiinid")), fictional films (Ain Mäeots's "Taarka", René Vilbre's I Was Here ("Mina olin siin"), Dirk Hoyer's Detour ("Võõras")), as well as films by students of the Baltic Film and Media School.
In the discussions taking place after the films, the Hungarian public and filmmakers will be able to talk with Ain Mäeots, René Vilbre, Olga and Priit Pärn, and Kaspar Jancis

For the first time in a long while, Estonian theatre will be seen in Hungary as well-in the Merlin Theatre in Budapest the VAT Theatre will be performing Pál Street Boys ("Pál tänava poisid"), director Aare Toikka's dramatisation of Hungarian author Ferenc Molnár's famous novel. Toikka's vision of Pál Street Boys will be equally interesting to regular theatregoers as well as people interested in Estonian theatre. In addition, the homecoming of this story is a significant comment on the success of the piece both in Estonia and abroad.

The group Kriminaalne Elevant will give two concerts in Budapest.

Within the framework of the Estonia week, the first issue of the new Hungarian cultural magazine Pluralica will be released, which will be entirely devoted to contemporary Estonian literature and graphic arts. The book-sized (428 pages) special issue contains, in addition to works of writing and art, critiques and interviews with the authors.

The Cultural Week was made possible by the co-operation of the representation of the Estonian Institute in Hungary and the film distribution agency SzimplaFilm. The organisation of the week has also been supported by the Estonian Film Foundation and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, as well as the Told cinema in Budapest and the Merlin Theatre.

Estonian Week 6-10 May

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:00:46 GMT

Estonian Week 6-10 May programme

Estonian Week pocketguide

Estonian Week 6-10 May programme (in Hungarian)

TOLDI MOZI, BUDAPEST

Wednesday, May 6:

19:00 (GH) OPENING

Life without Gabriella Ferri ("Elu ilma Gabriella Ferrita", animation, dir. Priit and Olga Pärn, 45 min, 2008) DVD, NO DIALOGUES

Crocodile ("Krokodill", animation, dir. Kaspar Jancis, 17 min, 2009) DVD, NO DIALOGUES

The screening is followed by a discussion with directors Priit and Olga Pärn, and Kaspar Jancis.

20:30 (SH) Kings of the Time ("Aja meistrid", documentary, dir. Mait Laas, 72 min, 2008) DVD, ENG subtitles

Thursday, May 7:

16:15 (SH) Kings of the Time ("Aja meistrid", documentary, dir. Mait Laas, 72 min, 2008) DVD, HUN subtitles

17:45 (SH) Nazies and Blondes ("Fritsud ja blondiinid", documentary, dir. Arbo Tammiksaar, 84 min, 2008) DVD, HUN subtitles

19: 30 (SH) Revolution That Wasn't ("Revolutsioon, mida ei tulnud", documentary, dir. Aljona Polnaine, 95 min, 2008)

Radical ("Radikaal", documentary, dir. Andres Maimik, Rain Tolk, 45 min, 2008) ENG

Friday, May 8:

16:00 (SH) Short film compilation (Baltic Film and Media School, 120 min, 2009) DVD, ENG subtitles

The screening is followed by a discussion with the curator, Edina Csüllög

16:30 (Café) PLURALICA. Discussion with the editor of Pluralica magazine.

18:45 (SH) Nazies and Blondes ("Fritsud ja blondiinid", documentary, dir. Arbo Tammiksaar, 84 min, 2008) DVD, ENG subtitles

20:00 (GH) Taarka ("Taarka", drama, dir. Ain Mäeots, 94 min, 2008) DVD, HUN subtitles

The screening is followed by a discussion with the director, Ain Mäeots

20:30 (SH) Life without Gabriella Ferri ("Elu ilma Gabriella Ferrita", animation, dir. Priit and Olga Pärn, 45 min, 2008) DVD, NO DIALOGUES

Crocodile ("Krokodill", animation, dir. Kaspar Jancis, 17 min, 2009) DVD, NO DIALOGUES

The screening is followed by a discussion with directors Priit and Olga Pärn, and Kaspar Jancis.

22:00 (Café) CONCERT OF KRIMINAALNE ELEVANT

Saturday, May 9:

16:15 (SH) Detour ("Võõras", film noir, dir. Dirk Hoyer, 62 min, 2007) DVD, HUN subtitles

17:30 (GH) I Was Here ("Mina olin siin", drama, dir René Vilbre, 95 min, 2008) DVD, HUN subtitles

The screening is followed by a discussion with the director, René Vilbre

17:30 (SH) Lotman's World ("Lotmani maailm", documentary, dir. Agne Nelk, 60 min, 2008) DVD, ENG subtitles

18:45 (SH) Taarka ("Taarka", drama, dir. Ain Mäeots, 94 min, 2008) DVD, ENG subtitles

The screening is followed by a discussion with the director, Ain Mäeots

Sunday, May 10:

16:15 (SH) I Was Here ("Mina olin siin", drama, dir René Vilbre, 95 min, 2008) DVD, ENG subtitles

The screening is followed by a discussion with the director, René Vilbre

18:00 (SH) Revolution That Wasn't ("Revolutsioon, mida ei tulnud", documentary, dir. Aljona Polnaine, 95 min, 2008)

Radical ("Radikaal", documentary, dir. Andres Maimik, Rain Tolk, 45 min, 2008) DVD, ENG subtitles

20:30 (SH) Detour ("Võõras", film noir, dir. Dirk Hoyer, 62 min, 2007) DVD, ENG subtitles

MERLIN Theatre

Thursday, May 7, 21:00 Pal Street boys (dir. Aare Toikka, VAT Theatre, in Estonian, HUN subtitles

APOLLO MOZI, DEBRECEN

Thursday, May 7, 15:00 I Was Here ("Mina olin siin", drama, dir René Vilbre, 95 min, 2008)

Friday, May 8, 15:00 Taarka ("Taarka", drama, dir. Ain Mäeots, 94 min, 2008)

Saturday, May 9, 15:00 Nazies and Blondes ("Fritsud ja blondiinid", documentary, dir. Arbo Tammiksaar, 84 min, 2008

Sunday, May 10, 15:00 Detour ("Võõras", film noir, dir. Dirk Hoyer, 62 min, 2007)

Estonian "Käevarjud" in Hungary

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

An exhibit of Estonian gloves created to celebrate the 100th working year of the Estonian National Museum can be seen at the Budapest Textile Museum.

For Estonians, as northern people, gloves are a very normal article of clothing, but in many southern cultures they are seen as exotic. Gloves are not known as a part of Hungarian folk costumes either. The exhibit in Budapest displays but a fraction of the more than 5 000 pairs of gloves preserved by the Estonian National Museum.

There will also be a teaching room open to the public, where guests can learn to knit mittens with the help of experts from the Viljandi Culture Academy folk crafts department. The process requires some unusual needle techniques. The exhibit will be followed by a concert by the Viljandi ethno ensemble Urtapan.

The Estonian glove exhibit is part of the Budapest Spring Festival.

Estonian officers serving in Iraq awarded NATO medals

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:20:27 GMT

TALLINN, Jan 23, BNS - Estonian officers serving at the NATO training mission in Iraq were handed over NATO crisis regulation medals at a festive ceremony at the mission headquarters on Thursday.

Handing over the medals to Col. German Kesa and Cmdr. Ingrid Muhling, Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commander of the NATO training mission and of the development headquarters of the international Iraqi security forces, said that the importance of NATO in building up the Iraqi security forces was increasing and that Iraqi officials highly valued the NATO training mission.

Kolonel Kesa serves as deputy chief of staff of the NATO training mission with logistic, communications, personnel and financial operations under his supervision.

Besides, Gen. Babaker Zebari, commander of the joint staff of Iraqi armed forces, recognized Cmdr. Muhling with a letter of thanks.

Col. Kesa said that the past six months had been of critical importance both for the mission and for the Iraqi security forces. "We have been parties in handing over responsibility to Iraqi authorities. The role of both the NATO training mission in Iraq and the role of countries is changing; and we must establish in cooperation with Iraqi security forces in what spheres Iraqi power structures need our assistance most," he said.

Estonian officers have been taking part in the NATO training mission in Iraq since 2005. Maj. Jaak Tammisto is now serving as head of the administration of the mission, and Maj. Ulo Isberg is starting his service as public relations chief.

The NATO training mission is the only NATO operation in Iraq. The aim of the 200-strong mission is to develop and support an independent and sustainbale Iraqi army, above all military educational institutions and command centres as well as those subordinated to the Interior Ministry.

In addition to training and consultancy the mission also coordinates support in terms of resources and accoutrement necessary for the training of the Iraqi security forces.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8810, sise@bns.ee

Estonia could become the world country with lowest corruption level -- EU commissioner

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:21:37 GMT

TALLINN, Jan 23, BNS - Vice-President of the European Commission Siim Kallas said Estonia could set itself the aim of climbing to the top of the corruption perception index in the world and in the European Union.

Kallas said at a conference on the media and corruption organized by the Estonian Newspaper Association in Tallinn on Friday that it was not such a mad idea as it might look.

Kallas said that Estonia needed something positive in order to stand out, the preconditions for working in the name of that aim existed and besides the budgetary revenues were not of a size worth mentioning.

"Quite a few times the issue has been discussed in various groups what Estonia's positive initiative in the European Union could be. We do not only have abuse of Russia by which we can stand out internationally," he said.

Kallas stated that there was no corruptive culture in Estonia. He said that the summary of the European Union's corruption study, which refers to "a possible corruption free culture, Estonia's advantage in its fight against corruption ahead of several Central and East European countries," allowed making such a statement.

Kallas pointed out that Estonia was ranked 27th in the corruption perception index of Transparency International. Of Estonia's neighbors, Finland is No 5 and Sweden No 1. Russia, one of the most corrupt countries, ranks 147th and also Latvia with its 52nd ranking is not in a very good position.

"We stand in the point of collision, intersection and influence of different business cultures. There are 12 countries of the European Union, including Slovenia, ahead of us and 14 countries coming behind us," Kallas said.

He said that comparing the situation in EU member countries within the limits of his competence, he dared to see Estonia not in the worst light.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8862, sise@bns.ee

Barroso to visit Estonia on Feb. 23

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:46:53 GMT

TALLINN, Jan 22, BNS - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will make a one-day visit to Estonia at the invitation of Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on Feb. 23.

Toomas Sildam, spokesman for the Estonian head of state, told BNS on Thursday that the details of the meeting and the topics to be discussed are being agreed.

"It's clear that there will be no shortage of topics at the meeting of Barroso and Ilves," Sildam said.

According to unconfirmed reports Ilves will confer on Barroso a high Estonian decoration.

"The president has not decided about who will be decorated yet. Under law the president must endorse the list two weeks before Independence Day at the latest," Sildam said.

Last year the president published the list of people decorated with Estonian orders on the occasion of the Feb. 24 Independence Day on Feb. 6.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8862, sise@bns.ee

Estonia's objectives under Czech EU presidency are euro, energy

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:47:31 GMT

TALLINN, Jan 22, BNS - The government today confirmed the objectives of Estonia during the Czech presidency of the European Union which include readiness for the adoption of the common euro currency and energy security, among other things.

The Czech Republic has identified three E's -- economy, energy and Europe in the world, in particular the development of the bloc's eastern partnership and transatlantic relations -- as the key issues of its presidency.

Estonia sees accession to the euro zone and streamlining the implementation of EU structural funds as prerequisites of creating an environment supportive of economic development. The country aims to be ready for the switch to the euro by 2010.

Another subject of great importance to Estonia is energy security that should be taken into consideration in the making of all other decisions, the government said.

For bolstering domestic security, Estonia is interested in the formulation of a general information technology strategy during the Czech presidency with account of the need to ensure central administration of large-scale information systems and consistent development.

The European Neighborhood Policy and development of measures to strengthen it are also included in Estonia's objectives.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8822, majandus@bns.ee

Estonia to no longer send combat unit to Iraq

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:48:45 GMT

TALLINN, Jan 22, BNS - Estonia will not send another infantry unit on a mission to Iraq but will continue taking part in the NATO training mission there, Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo told the government on Thursday.

One of the reasons for the discontinuation of the mission is that Estonia failed to reach agreement with the Iraqi government on the accord concerning the status of the troops.

Thus the next Estonian infantry unit, ESTPLA-18, will not be deployed in Iraq. Estonia will continue taking part in the NATO training mission in Iraq with three staff officers, spokespeople for the Defense Ministry said.

Defense cooperation between Estonia and Iraq will continue in other forms in accordance with a bilateral agreement that is now being drafted.

Aaviksoo said there were three reasons why the mission in its present form was ended. The first is the stabilization in the security situation in Iraq.

"The second is that according to the Riigikogu mandate, concluding an agreement on the legal status of our soldiers was a prerequisite for the continuation of Estonia in Iraq, on which it is not possible in the light of the decision by the Iraqi parliament to reach an agreement satisfying both sides," said the minister.

The third reason is that the Iraqi government has clearly expressed the wish to continue bilateral defense cooperation in a non-combat form.

Aaviksoo will head to Iraq soon to officially end the mission of Estonian troops in a ceremony. He will also meet with Iraq's Defense Minister Abdul Al-Qadir Jassam to discuss the future of defense cooperation between the countries.

The Estonian defense forces have been taking part in the mission in Iraq since June 2003.

The Iraqi government has turned to the United Kingdom, Australia, Romania, El-Salvador and Estonia with a request to continue military cooperation also after the UN mandate for the coalition troops ended at the end of last year.

The previous Estonian combat unit, the 34-strong ESTPLA-17, returned from Iraq shortly before Christmas. ESTPLA-18 is manned and has been in readiness for deployment.

On Dec. 17 last year the Estonian parliament voted to extend the mission for Estonian troops in Iraq until the end of 2009 on the condition that Iraq will file a corresponding request and either a troop status accord will be signed or a UN resolution adopted on continued foreign troop presence in Iraq.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8814, sise@bns.ee

Govt backs Estonia's continuation on Middle East mission

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:49:51 GMT

TALLINN, Jan 22, BNS - The Estonian government on Thursday gave its nod to a bill that will extend the participation of Estonian military observers in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) mission in the Middle East until the end of next year.

According to the bill forwarded to the parliament, Estonia would continue participating in the United Nations' military monitoring mission in Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Syria with up to five defense forces personnel, spokespeople for thr Estonian Defense Ministry told BNS.

Participation this year is budgeted to cost 2.2 million kroons. Capt. Margus Aas and Capt. Georg Linkov of Estonia currently serve on one-year missions with UNTSO.

The existing parliamentary mandate expires on Feb. 22.

As of last summer more than 150 monitors from a host of countries were deployed with UNTSO.

Estonian observers have been deployed in Israel and Syria as part of UNTSO since 1997.

(EUR 1 = EEK 15.65)

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8862, sise@bns.ee