President Lennart Meri received Robin Cook, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Kadriorg today to discuss the relations between the two countries and the situation in south-eastern Europe.

According to Foreign Secretary Cook, the history of the co-operation between the two countries forms a solid basis for the co-operation in future. Cook is a firm supporter of Estonia's accession to the European Union, and recognises Estonia's work done so far. According to Cook, Great Britain considers it proper to base the acceptance of new member states to the EU on their actual readiness to accede.

Cook recognised Estonia's work done for the integration of national minorities, as he said, it is useful for the European Union to accept Estonia as a good example of the integration of national minorities.

As President Meri said, Europe begins not with the geographical borders but with an attitude; the EU countries have a common goal and different methods for reaching this goal, this is the beauty of Europe, said President Meri.

Discussing the situation on the Balkans, Foreign Secretary Cook said that Europe can not allow the recurrence of the Kosovo events; the Balkan countries must be supported, but the support would definitely not come on the account of other Central European countries, including Estonia.

As President Meri said, the co-operation between Estonia and Great Britain should be developed, especially in the field of science and education; according to Foreign Secretary Cook, the British Foreign Office has this year increased four times the total sum of scholarships allocated to Estonian scholars.

From Kadriorg, President Meri and Foreign Secretary Cook proceeded to the city centre, to the opening ceremony of the new Embassy building of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 28, 1999

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