The President of the Republic had a traditional working lunch with Prime Minister Mart Laar today. The Prime Minister gave the President an overview of the privatisation process of the Estonian Railways. The President received the information and emphasised that in such processes, it is important to consider the long-term strategic interests and the security policy objectives of the state.

President Meri expressed his opposition to the course of the reorganisation of rail traffic so far, considering above all the difficulties caused to the poorer citizens of Estonia in the regions where passenger traffic has been terminated. The Prime Minister assured the President that today’s coalition meeting had discussed the possibilities of maintaining travel opportunities for the people and the reconsideration of the passenger traffic subsidy question. The President expressed his satisfaction with this opinion.

The Prime Minister also submitted to the President the preliminary summary of the results of the work of the SIGN OF ESTONIA working group and asked the President of the Republic to contribute his proposals.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, March 14, 2001

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