President Lennart Meri received Eric Gerada-Azzopardi, the Ambassador Extraordianry and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Malta, who presented his credentials, in the presidential palace of Kadriorg today.

In their speeches, both the Ambassador of Malta and the Estonain President concentrated on the future of Europe, especially the enlargement of the European Union. The Ambassador mentioend that closer relation between Souhtern and Northern Europe are very important. As President Meri said, the development of North-South relations could symbolically be called the Malta meridian.

Also the significant role of small countries and the need for co-operation to achieve greater influence were discussed

Also Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, presented his credintials to President of the Republic today. The Ambassador also delivered the best regards of President Seyed Mohamed Khatami to the people of Estonia.

President Meri and the Ambassador of Iran discussed problems concerning the Kaspian Sea, and the Ambassador also spoke of opening a transit corridor connecting St. Petersburg to Iran and thus also to India. As the Ambassador said, this corridor would considerably reduce the time necessary for transport from Russia to India. In this connection, Presiden Meri also spoke to the Ambassador of the possibilities of the Estonain ports for the exporters from Iran, and hoped that Iran would develop its presence in Estonia.



Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 14, 2000

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