President Lennart Meri received the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy, the Minister of European Affairs Umberto Ranieri, this morning in Kadriorg.

President Meri spoke of his last year's State visit to Italy, when he had sensed Italy's strong support to Estonia. The President regretted that during his current visit, the Italian Minister of European Affairs did not have the time to visit the well-functioning control system of the Estonian Border Guard on the eastern border of Estonia, which in the future shall be the eastern border of the European Union. According to President Meri Estonia wishes to give the European Union a strong and secure border as her contribution to the EU.

According to Minister Ranieri, Italy has always supported and continues to support Estonia's foreign policy aspirations. As the Italian Minister said, he hopes that during the Finnish presidency of the EU the exact time will be appointed for the conclusion of the association negotiations and Estonia would become a full member of the EU as a result of her work. The Estonian President assured the Italian guest that Estonia knows her responsibilities to the EU and hoped that the work done by Estonia would also be visible to the members of the EU.

Also the enlargement of NATO and the guaranteeing of the common foreign and defence policy of the EU were discussed on the meeting.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 3, 1999

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