President Lennart Meri received Filipe Gueterres, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Portugal to the Republic of Estonia, who came to present his credentials, in Kadriorg today.
In his speech, the Ambassador of Portugal spoke of the centuries-long ties between the two maritime states, and emphasised Portugal's wish to support Estonia on the way to the European Union.
The President of the Republic thanked Portugal for the support and said that Portugal's experience and the benefit that the EU membership has brought to Portugal are an example and inspiration to us.
Also Estonia's wish to accede to NATO was discussed at the meeting. The President of the Republic emphasised that membership in the European Union and in NATO are two parallel goals. The Ambassador agreed that no EU member state has expressed the wish to leave NATO, and that the two organisations complement each other.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, April 12, 2001