This evening, the President of the Republic received the representatives of the organisations of the expatriate Estonians, who participated in the conference on the security policy of the Republic of Estonia organised by the Estonian World Council.

Ülo Anson, the Chairman of the Council, Henno Uus, the Chairman of the Board, Enn Frey, Member of the Board, the Secretary Hans Kobin with Mrs. Kobin, Mati Kõiva, Chairman of the Estonian National Committee in the United States of America, with Mrs. Kõiva, as well as the Committee's Vice Chairman Vello Ederma, Chairman of the Estonian Society in Moscow Riho Nõmmik; Viktor Kõrvel, President of the Estonian Society in Ukraine', Liia Urmaniene, Chairman of the Society of Estonians in Lithuania, Vilma Brinkmann-Põldoja, who represented the Estonians from Germany, Pärja Svarpstina from the Latvians Estonians’ Society and Sven Hanson from the Society of Estonians in Sweden were present on the meeting. From now on, also the Association of the Estonian Societies in Russia is a member of the Estonian World Council.

Also Estonia's international co-operation, to which the Estonians living abroad could contribute, was discussed. The President hoped that the co-operation between Estonia and the State of Maryland could on the grassroot level be extended to other fields besides national defence, where the relations with the National Guard of Maryland have been close for many years. The expatriate Estonians praised highly the Estonian cadets studying in the higher military institutions of the U.S., who have acquired also a civilian profession besides the higher military education in the course of their studies.

The subject of the European security was also touched. As the President of the Republic said, Estonia should tack her stateship so as to avoid the many rocks in the sea of the world. The expatriate Estonians, the President said, are the sextants who help us to hold the right course.

The President of the Republic offered dinner to the participants of the conference.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 5, 1999

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