PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 21, 1999
Prime Minister Mart Laar and Baden-WürttembergDeputy Prime Minister and EconomicAffairs Minister Dr. Walther Döring discussed at their meetingtoday cooperation in economic andjustice areas.
Dr. Walther Döring, who receivedpositive impressions during his visit to Estonia, sees a politicalrole for the ground preparation that leads to cooperation andcommercial development between the countries. Laar and Doringagreed that no country can develop a competitive economy alone,but needs a foundation based on partnership. Dr. Walther Döringsaid that trade between Estonia and Germany is increasing andthis is largely due to Estonia's diligent preparation work forentry into the European Union.
Laar invited German businessmen toinvest more in Estonia, citing Finland and Sweden whose shareof investment in Estonia is significant. As an example of goodpartnership, Prime Minister Laar cited Estonia's and Baden-Württemberg`scooperation in the education of Estonian lawyers in the subjectof justice.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Baden-Württembergwas interested in commercial opportunities in Russia. Prime MinisterMart Laar presented Estonia's experiences in that area and mentionedthe Russian regions closest to Estonia, especially the St. Petersburgregion, as partners with greatest potential. Laar said that itwould be possible for the European Union and Estonia to assistthe development of the St. Petersburg region with active and successfulcommercial involvement in the region.
Doring was also interested in Estonia'scooperation with Germany's states.
Laar said that Estonia considersher ties with Germany's states as a priority especially in theareas of commercial development. Estonia's traditional partnersin Germany are the states bordering the Baltic Sea and Baden-Württemberg.
At the end of their meeting, Doringand Laar agreed that the key to the cooperation between Estoniaand Germany is to be found in the era of the Hansa League. Commonunderstanding of history presupposes Estonia's and Germany's partnershipin the future. In the context of the European Union, it is importantthat Estonia's development and direction are understood in Germany.
