In the course of his visit to Estonia Victor
Yushchenko addressed members of Estonia’s parliament, the Riigikogu, president’s
press office reported.
In his speech, the President said parliamentary cooperation was an
important part of the dialogue between Ukraine and Estonia.
“I hope such cooperation will be exceptionally beneficial in the
exchange of Euro-Atlantic experience and in other international and
parliamentary areas,” he said.
Yushchenko said he saw “great prospects for economic cooperation” with
Estonia. He added the signing of a free trade agreement with the EU in 2007
would enable Ukraine to carry out policies encouraging foreign investment and
creating a favorable business climate.
He said Ukraine and Estonia should launch joint projects in energy and
transportation.
“In these areas, we can actively use our scientific and commercial ideas
to produce biological fuel and discover alternative energy, and to export
electricity from Ukraine to Europe,” he said.
The President also said the two countries should forge closer regional
and educational ties.
“I consistently support and will support this dialogue,” he said, adding
that he appreciated the efforts by the Estonian government to help the
Ukrainian community.
Yushchenko said he had considered the possibility of opening a Ukrainian
cultural center in Tallinn with members of the Ukrainian community today.
The President said the two nations had been developing their relations
for several centuries. He thanked Estonia for recognizing Ukraine’s independence
at the beginning of the twentieth century and declaring the 1933 Holodomor an
act of genocide in the 1990s. He also offered sympathy to Estonians over their
sufferings caused by totalitarian regimes last century.
