President Lennart Meri, who is on a state visit to Iceland, had a meeting with the Icelandic Prime Minister David Oddsson on Wednesday, September 15. In addition to the bilateral relations, also the enlargement of the European Union and NATO, the European security policy and the co-operation between the Baltic States and the Nordic countries were discussed.

President Meri gave David Oddsson an outline of the current state of the EU accession negotiations. Speaking of the security policy, David Oddsson emphasised that as a member of NATO, Iceland is interested in developing the European defence policy, even though Iceland is not a member of the European Union.

President Lennart Meri mentioned that the European countries should improve their capability to manage the regional crises on their own, thus showing also the USA that Europe is not only trustworthy, but also active partner.

The Estonian President and the Icelandic Prime Minister also spoke of the successful development of the Nordic countries and the Baltic countries.

On Wednesday, the President of the Republic also visited the city of Akranes, where the Icelandic President showed him local sports schools. President Meri was glad to see the Icelanders' fascination with sports, culture, and their native language.

Akranes is the hometown of Teitur Thordarson, the chief coach of the Estonian Football League.

In the afternoon, the Estonian President, the Icelandic President and the Estonian delegation visited Haraldur Bödvarsson's fishery, which was founded in 1906 and is the oldest in Iceland.

Today, the President of the Republic will visit Thingvellir, were the world's oldest parliament was once seated.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 15, 1999

back | archive of press releases | main page