On the meeting beginning at 10 AM in Kadriorg on Friday, September 3, 1999, the Roundtable of National Minorities of the President of the Republic will discuss the possibilities of co-operation with the EU Phare Estonian language learning programme. The introductory presentation will be made by Ave Härsing, the co-ordinator of the Estonian language learning programme.

The impact of the ''Cultural Autonomy of National Minorities Act'' in the Estonian society will be discussed. The Minister of Culture Signe Kivi and Eduard Odinets, Counsellor to the Minister of Population will consider the question whether the existing Act should be improved, or whether it would rather be feasible to start the composition of a new Draft Act that would regulate the national minority problems in a more modern and comprehensive way. The Ministry of Culture will speak of the amendments to the Act that have already been prepared.

The Roundtable will also discuss the problem of working space of the national cultural societies, as the need for a house or working space where the cultural societies could hold their meetings, organise Sunday schools, celebrate national holidays or receive guests has been on the agenda for a long time. The Minister of Culture Signe Kivi and the Minister of Population Katrin Saks have informed the Roundtable that the State is prepared to assist in finding an actual solution to the problem.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 2, 1999

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