Address by the Estonian President at the Conferment of the Grand Cross of Terra Marianaon Mr Carl Bildt at Kadriorg on July 25, 1996
25.07.1996

It was not so long ago that we were struggling for the restoration of Estonia's independence and needed supporting companions. Today, five years since, I am glad that our companions have remained with us. Estonia has new obstacles to overcome on her way. This time it is the way to the integrating economic and security structures of Europe.

Today I have the privilege, on behalf of the Republic of Estonia, to express our respect and gratitude to you and in your person to the Swedish state and people. Over a long period of time you have rendered consistent and pricipled support, by word and by deed, for the recovery of Estonia's independence and - which, unfortunately, is still more important and a lot more difficult - for the consolidation of Estonia's independence. Even as the rest of the world was still temporizing over our struggle, you did not hesitate to join in the ''Monday movement'', the weekly demonstrations in Stockholm which presently spread all over Sweden. You also remained true to your principles in the prime minister's seat. When Estonia was aspiring for membership in the Council of Europe and severe charges were brought against her in the Council's Parliamentary Assembly over alleged discrimination against ethnic minorities, you had the courage to confront double morals and defend the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in Strasbourg. In the summer of the same year, during the Narva crisis, you risked your prestige and came to Tallinn, and succeeded in working an essential solution in our relations with Russia. Estonia will never forget the key role you and your team had in coordinating the negotiations over the withdrawal of Russian troops from Estonia. You resorted to your good relations with foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev on the one hand and with statesmen of Germany and the United States on the other, formed an international coalition, and at the last moment achieved ground for a breakthrough. The advice you as an expert on submarines gave during the dismantling of the Paldiski naval base has helped us to substantially increase the security of the Baltic Sea. And I must not forget to mention thet Estonia's participation in the BaltBat was your recommendation.

Today, opinions are voiced here and there as if security in Estonia were not threatened enough yet for Estonia's membership in NATO and the European Union. Again I would like to point out your prudence in this connection. In your article ''The Baltic Litmus Test'' in a 1994 issue of Foreign Affairs you said that ''more than any other part of the former Soviet empire, Russia's policies toward the Baltic countries will be the litmus test of its new direction''. The warning uttered two years ago has now become lamentably topical. It is always easier to maintain peace than to recover it. May the Bosnian example, which is so familiar to you, serve as warning to Europe and my fellow countrymen.

Security does not consist of thanks. The essential constituent part of security is the will of the people to defend themselves. This is approximately what John Kennedy said in his famous speech in Berlin, a city that was the litmus test of the Cold War. I can assure you and your fellow countrymen that Estonia has the will.

At present there is a want the world over for politicians who can and dare look far ahead into the future. Who can look and dare tell what they see. Ever so much more delighted I am to see one of them standing here at the other end of the carpet, and the more delighted I am to confer the 1st class Cross of Terra Mariana on the High Representative of the European Commission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Prime Minister Carl Bildt, in recognition of his support to the political choice of Estonia, thus in recognition of his support to Europe.