President Lennart Meri yesterday received Bernd Braun, who has been accredited to the post of Ambassador of the Organisation of Security and Co-operation of Europe to Estonia.

As Bernd Braun said to the Estonian Head of State, Max van der Stoel had expressed his satisfaction with the decision of the Estonian Riigikogu to liberalise the Citizenship Act. President Meri expressed Estonia's hope that OSCE would keep to the promise that no further requirements would be posed to Estonia. This is what Max van der Stoel also has confirmed.

On the meeting, the introduction of language requirements for members of the Riigikogu and local government councils was also discussed. We should keep in mind that Estonia is the only country where the Estonian language is spoken, the President emphasised.

The OSCE Ambassador Bernd Braun gave a very positive assessment to the general situation in Estonia.

The air raids against Iraq that had started on the previous night were also discussed on the meeting.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, December 18, 1998

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