President Lennart Meri received James L. Kateka, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Republic of Tanzania, who came to present his credentials, in the Presidential Palace of Kadriorg today.

Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Kateka said that although Estonia and Tanzania are separated by great distances, they share many things in common, including cherishing prosperity for their peoples, as well as a desire for peace and security. As the Ambassador said, African countries hope that the 21st century would witness the renaissance of Africa, and that the problems inherited from the colonial systems would be solved. As the Ambassador said, developed countries are not going to stop the wheel for the less developed to get on board, the latter have to make their own efforts to get on board.

The Ambassador also said that small countries should communicate more closely, both between themselves and at the United Nations. The Ambassador also mentioned the great potential of the co-operation in the field of tourism, and the great tourist attractions of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, which Estonians could discover in Tanzania.

President Meri compared the time of the colonisation of Africa with the Soviet occupation. He also recalled the linguist Johannes Aavik, who besides the renovation of the Estonian language, has also helped the universities of African countries to develop their national languages.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, April 20, 2000

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