President Lennart Meri received the Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, who is on a visit to Estonia, in the presidential palace of Kadriorg today. On the meeting of the Estonian Head of State and the Head of the Finnish Government, the creation of energy circle of the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea was one of the main themes of discussion.

Also the enlargement of NATO and the European Union were discussed. It was Paavo Lipponen's opinion that independent of the number of countries to be accepted to the European Union, Estonia will be among the first to accede. President Meri was convinced that Estonia is prepared for the EU accession far better than expected.

Among other things, the President said that Estonian youngsters are glad to serve in the Estonian defence forces.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 3, 2000

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