President of the Republic met the Crimean Estonian Society in the Vorontsov Palace, Alupka. Viktor Kõrvel, the Chairman of the Estonian Society of Ukraine, told the Head of State of the life of Estonians in Ukraine, and also in Crimea, as well as of their intention to open an Estonian school in Krasnodarka, of their wish to support the business between the Estonian and Ukrainian enterprises, and of the plan to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Estonian settlement in Crimea. Kõrvel added that he is presently engaged in writing the history of the Estonians in Ukraine.

In Crimea, there were three major Estonian communities – in Simferopol, Yalta, and Krasnodarka. As one of their problems, the Crimean Estonians mentioned to the President the complicated visa procedures for visiting Estonia that hinder their relations with home country.

President Meri said that there are never too many Estonians in Estonia and invited everybody to come to Estonia. He also said that Estonia would be very glad when the Ukrainian Estonians could help to promote the co-operation between the two friendly countries. The President also assumed that the Crimean Estonian Society could help the local Estonians to prove their Estonian origin.

President of the Republic said that Estonia would be glad to render more help to the Estonian schools and societies outside Estonia, and that next year, it would be good to send Estonian journals to the bigger societies. The President told the Crimean Estonians how Estonia defends her national interests and supports the compatriots outside Estonia. President Meri also spoke of the summit starting today in Yalta and promised to send to the Crimean Estonian Society the big national flag of Estonia.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 10, 1999

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