President Lennart Meri received Stephen Christopher Brady, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to the Republic of Estonia, who had come to present his credentials, in Kadriorg today.

Presenting his credentials, the Ambassador said that the relations of the two countries are founded on the fact that the key figures of the current Australian government, and especially Prime Minister John Howard, were active supporters of the Estonian people’s struggle to restore their independence throughout the 70s and the 80s. This support, both in the Australian government and in the opposition, contributed to Australia being one of the first countries to recognise Estonia’s return to independence, the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador recognised the notable achievements of the Estonian foreign policy, especially the inclusion to the first wave of the accession negotiations of the EU, and hoped that Estonia’s accession to EU would not decrease the importance of good relations between Estonia and Australia. The Ambassador also mentioned successful co-operation in the United Nations Organisation, the World Bank and the OECD, and hoped that Australia’s support would also facilitate Estonia’s entry into the World Trade Organisation.

When presenting his credentials, the Ambassador of Australia promised to the President of the Republic to support the participation of Estonians on the Sidney Olympics in the year 2000.

On the meeting following the presentation of the credentials, President Meri also raised the issue of the possible co-operation of the oil shale industries of Estonia and Australia. Estonia’s accession to the EU, the forthcoming referendum for declaring Australia a republic and other subjects were also discussed.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, January 14, 1999

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