Tallinn, Stenbock House, 26 November 2010 – Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met with the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully today. Discussions centred on cooperation between the two countries and the impact of the financial crisis on the economy.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Ansip talked in greater detail about Estonia’s conservative budget policy and the changeover to the euro on 1 January 2011. “The changeover will support Estonian export and increase foreign direct investment to Estonia,” he said, adding that the joining the Eurozone will bring broader benefits to all people in Estonia.
McCully acknowledged Estonia’s success in the conditions of economic downturn. The prime minister said that this was the result of strict budgetary policy, which allowed the state to amass reserves in the years leading up the financial crisis and to reduce the already low foreign debt. “Thanks to our strict budgetary policy, we are now one of three European Union member states that fulfilled the Maastricht budget deficit criterion last year,” said Ansip. He added that the government is not keeping Estonia’s monetary affairs only to comply with external criteria but in the interests of the country’s sustainability. “Estonia will continue to practise strict budgetary policy even after accession to the Eurozone,” he said.
The foreign minister of New Zealand expressed keen interest in Estonia’s economic policy and taxation system. Ansip credited the liberal economic model as the single most important factor in Estonia’s success, and said the country must stick to a uniform, simple taxation system in future. “We also support a liberal economic policy at the European Union level, and the signing of free trade agreements with third countries,” he emphasised.
The meeting also touched on the topic of the NATO summit held in Lisbon. Ansip said that Estonia would continue contributing to the allied forces in Helmand province at its current level as long as necessary and expected.
