In its session held today, the Round Table discussed the issues related to the strategy and tactics of its activities. The Round Table admitted it is very important for national minorities to be acceptable and strong partners of the state in the social, political and cultural dialogue.

It was agreed to make some changes in the structure and composition of the Round Table according to these objectives. The Round Table will strengthen its expert group, which will enter into co-operation with the work teams that develop activity plans for national programs concerning minority populations and bills of laws. A relevant agreement with the Office of the Minister of Population has already been achieved.

At the same time the Round Table seeks to expand its representations of national cultural societies, which in the ideal case could function as the cultural council of national minorities. ''The treatment of national policy in Estonia is entering a new phase, where emotional approach is replaced by systematic and rational analysis and co-operation,'' said Hagi Šein, Representative of the President by the Round Table.

The Round Table is an advisory council that works by the President, in which representatives of cultural societies and parties of minority populations as well as the Russian community are represented.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 9, 1999

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