President Lennart Meri received the representatives of the second Canadian trade mission to Estonia led by the Canadian Member of Parliament Sarmite Bulte, in the presidential palace of Kadriorg today.

The meeting mostly concentrated on the need to tighten considerably the so far modest economic relations between Estonia and Canada. As Sarmite Bulte said, Canada has almost no trade with Europe, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but this must change. She confirmed that when planning the visit of the economic delegation, the largest promotion of the Baltic states was done to the business sector in Canada. As President Meri said, Estonia is a very good beginning for Europe for starting more lively economic relations.

On the meeting, the President also talked about his visit to the Suncor power enterprise at Calgary, whose possible investment to Estonian oil shale industry would help to strengthen Estonia's power sector when it will be linked up with the power circle of the Baltic Sea countries. As the President said, he was very impressed with the recultivated lands in the Fort McMurry mining area. As Sarmite Bulte said, the Suncor investment would considerably increase Canada's so far modest investments to Estonian economy, but at the moment, the negotiations have been suspended until April 2001.

Also visa problems were discussed on the meeting, and as Sarmite Bulte said, the issue of abolishing the visa regime has been raised with the members of the Canadian government, and that the issue has also reached the European Council. At the moment, no solution has been reached, but from next week, the Parliament will again convene for meetings, and as Sarmite Bulte said, the visa issue is on the politicians' agenda.

President of the Republic handed over a present to Sarmite Bulte - the book ''Past Pollution of the Soviet Army in Estonia and its Liquidation'' by Anto Raukas.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 11, 2000

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