President Lennart Meri met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland Paavo Lipponen in Kadriorg Presidential Palace today. Expansion of the European Union was discussed at the meeting and President Meri emphasised that Estonia was working hard in order to become a member of the European Union and considered it important for Estonia to be ready to join by the end of 2002. According to the head of state it is important that the European Union remain devoted to the principle that expansion should take place according to the individual readiness of states. Prime Minister Lipponen said that this was also in the interests of Finland.

The Prime Minister of Finland introduced the developments in the European Union and the design of common foreign and security politics to the President. Relationships of Estonia and Finland with the regions of West Russia were also discussed at the meeting and President Meri said that in this field, Estonia is interested in co-operation with Finland.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, May 8, 2000

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