The President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski and his spouse Mrs. Jolanta Kwaśniewska yesterday began their three-day state visit to Estonia. Yesterday, the Polish President participated in the service dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Baltic Chain and the 60th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in the St. Charles' Church.

This morning, the Presidents of Estonia and Poland and their spouses had a meeting in the presidential palace in Kadriorg. President Meri thanked the Polish Head of State and his spouse for participating in the service in St. Charles' Church. The pact signed by the Foreign Ministers of Germany and the Soviet Union must not be forgotten, as its consequences have affected both Estonia and Poland. The common historical experience will help us to build up the future, the Presidents admitted.

On the Presidents' téte-a-téte meeting, and also on the meeting between the delegations of the two countries, the bilateral relations, accession to the EU, and the situation in Russia were discussed. Speraking of the countries' accession to the EU, the Presidents mentioned the need for co-operation between the countries that have already joined the accession negotiations. The Presidents also spoke of the need to extend to accession process to as many of their closest neighbours as possible, especially Latvia, Lithuania, and the Slovak Republic. According to President Meri it is important for Europe to undergo also an institutional change, as history moves faster than politics and politics faster than institutions.

The Presidents confirmed that it is necessary to promote the economic and trade co-operation, and as the Polish President said, there are also some new ideas for co-operation in the field of defence.

President Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri handed over their present to President Kwaśniewski and Mrs. Kwaśniewska, the carpet ''Tuuline'' (Windy) by Mariann Kallas. Mrs. Helle Meri showed to Mrs. Jolanta Kwaśniewska the Catholic centre in the Old Town of Tallinn.

President Kwaśniewski will today visit the Tallinn Town Hall, where he will sign the Book of Honour of Tallinn. At 14.45, the two Presidents will give a press conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Polish President will today have a meeting with the Polish community in Estonia; and President Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri will host a gala dinner in honour of the guests in the House of Blackheads.

Tomorrow, the state visit will continue in Pärnu.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, August 24, 1999

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