President of the Republic invited Prime Minister Mart Laar, the Minister of Economy Mihkel Pärnoja, and Chairman of the Board of Eesti Energia Gunnar Okk to lunch at Paslepa today and discussed with them the strategic issues of Estonian energetics.

For Estonia, the establishment of power links to the electric networks of Western Europe, which also means the disconnection of Estonian electricity networks from the power system of the region of North-Western Russia, is a priority of security policy, President of the Republic said. Integration with the Western power system first and foremost means the construction of a submarine cable to the Nordic Countries.

Prime Minister Mart Laar confirmed that Government of the Republic has set itself the same priorities, and that the establishment of such western power connections is one of the Government's political priorities. Laar confirmed that Government of the Republic is prepared to support Eesti Energia in the implementation of the project. Participants of the discussion were on the position that the possible conclusion or non-conclusion of the deal with NRG is not going to change these priorities. The work for establishing the power links on the western direction has been started, but calls for active progress, President Meri said. The Minister of Economy Mihkel Pärnoja handed over to the President of the Republic the draft agreements concerning the Narva power stations.

President Meri appreciated Prime Minister Laar's assurance to support Estonia's power integration with the West and the respective efforts of Eesti Energia. ''This is a great step in guaranteeing the economic security of the Republic of Estonia,'' the President said. The President pointed out that if the agreements in their present form do not meet the demands of the Estonian side, the negotations will be continued until the results satisfying the Estonian side are reached.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, August 9, 2000

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