President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen who is on her state visit to Estonia will visit Saaremaa together with the President of the Republic today.

The presidents arrived at the Roomassaare Airport by the plane of the Finnish Air Forces and the delegations by the planes of the Flying Squad of Border Guards. Saare County Governor Jüri Saar greeted the guests.

Mayor Jaanus Tamkivi received the presidents in the Kuressaare Town Hall and in his greeting speech, he also said that 60% of the tourists who visit Saaremaa are from Finland. The presidents signed the books for guests of honour of Saare County and the town.

The Presidents of Finland and Estonia visited Kuressaare Stronghold where they watched the cleaning of the moat surrounding the stronghold that is financed by the Ministry of Environment of Finland with 770,000 Kroons.

Head of the Foreign Relations Department of Saare County Government Tarmo Pikner talked about the environmental projects of Saaremaa and the Minister of Environment of Finland Satu Hassi assured that Finland will continue financing environmental projects of Estonia after Estonia has become a member of the European Union. The Minister of Environment said she was happy to see the concrete results of the co-operation.

Saaremaa ports were also discussed. Lennart Meri said that Saaremaa really needs a deep-sea port, this investment would regulate tourist economy on the island and would in no way be in conflict with nature conservation. In the opinion of the President, Saaremaa should become more Saaremaa and not less Saaremaa. The President expressed his regret that the excessive promises to build the port in three months and receive large ships have caused mistreatment of the issue of the port.

At the meeting, the President of Finland Tarja Halonen asked about the selling of land to foreigners. Saare County Governor Jüri Saar told her that there have been no problems yet and that foreign investments are extremely necessary. When purchasing land, foreigners need the consent of the county governor and Jüri Saar said that there has been no case yet where the county governor has refused. According to him, land in Saaremaa has been sold to 130 Finnish citizens and this is still far from the dangerous limit.

The Presidents of Finland and Estonia and their delegations also visited the Kaali meteorite crater where they were greeted by the local parish elder and children from the Kaali School. President Meri promised that he would bring his guests to the Kaali meteorite crater where the work started by archaeologist Vello Lõugas has to be completed.

President Lennart Meri and President Tarja Halonen planted an oak tree in front of the Kaali schoolhouse and thereafter Saare County Governor offered the guests lunch in the Kaali Pub.

The presidents will return to Tallinn at 16.15.

At 16.45, the presidents will give a press conference in the press centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The state visit of the President of Finland will end with a reception held in the Embassy of Finland before her departure.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, May 17, 2000

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