This afternoon, President of the Republic had a meeting with Siiri Oviir, Chairman of the Central Faction of the Riigikogu, in Kadriorg; and in the evening the President also received Siim Kallas, leader of the Estonian Reform Party there.

On the meetings, the President handed over to the leaders of the Central Party and the Reform Party a document seeking for the gradual increase of the defence expenditure and urging the politicians not to involve security policy issues in the election contest. ''National defence expenditure means investment in the continuity of the Republic of Estonia. These issues should not become a target of political contests in the election campaign, just as the continuity of the Republic of Estonia can not become a target'', the draft statement of the political parties asserts. So far, the President has presented this document to the leaders of the Moderates, the People's Party and the Pro Patria Union. Prime Minister Mart Siimann and other members of the National Defence Council are already familiar with the document and have supported the positions presented therein.

The President hopes to get the support of all political forces represented in the Riigikogu to the above document in the nearest future.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, December 2, 1998

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