President Lennart Meri who started his state visit to the Czech Republic met with the President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel in the Prague Castle today morning.

In the meeting, President Václav Havel confirmed that the Czech Republic supported the wish of Estonia to join NATO already in the next round. The Presidents admitted that there were no problems in the bilateral relationships of the states. President Meri added that the economic relations could be more active.

When the expansion of the European Union was discussed, President Meri emphasised that the large number of different nations and states is the basis of the success of Europe, and that this road has to be developed further in Europe. The Presidents said that both Estonia and the Czech Republic have the possibility and the obligation to give their experience, including their idealism, to the European Union.

When Russia was discussed, President Meri said that he was convinced that Russia had understood the need to co-operate closely with the present and future members of the European Union, which is evidenced by the current visit of the delegation of the Russian Duma to Estonia.

In the opinion of President Meri, the Karl University in Prague could offer the possibility to study Estonian and other Finno-Ugric languages in the future. Václav Havel said he was glad that to his knowledge, there were 70 people in Estonia who studied the Czech language.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, May 30, 2000

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