President Lennart Meri had a meeting with Milan Kučan, President of the Republic of Slovenia, who arrived on a State visit, in Kadriorg today. The State visit started at noon with the festive welcoming ceremony in front of the Palace of Kadriorg, where the Guard of Honour and the official delegations of Estonia and Slovenia had lined up. President Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri welcomed President Milan Kučan and Mrs. Stefka Kučan, national anthems were played, the Commander of the Guard of Honour reported and the Guard of Honour – in parade dress for the first time since the restoration of Estonia's independence – was inspected by the Heads of State. On the occasion of the State visit, the Slovenian presidential couple was presented a tapestry ''Põhjarannik'' (the Northern Coast) by Elna Kaasik, and a silk shawl by Liivia Leshkin.

On the meeting of the Presidents, the Heads of State concentrated on the subjects of the good bilateral relations and the functioning free trade agreement, which has yielded good results and opens many opportunities for business contacts. The Slovenian President confirmed that the two Agreements between the two Governments that have as yet not been concluded – the Investment Protection Agreement and the Double Taxation Prevention Agreement, will also be signed in 1999.

As President Kučan said, the bilateral relations are so excellent that there is almost no need for negotiations. The main focus of the meeting was on the enlargement process of the European Union and NATO. As the Estonian President pointed out, the enlargement process is first and foremost in the above organisations’ own interest. Both parties described the process of their EU negotiations, and the Presidents spoke of their expectations concerning the Washington Summit in April 1999. Both countries hope for a clearer and more concrete statement on the next NATO enlargement round from Washington.

President Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri offered lunch to the Slovenian President and his spouse in Kadriorg. In the afternoon, the State visit of the Slovenian President will continue with the ceremony of laying the wreath to the memorial of schoolchildren and teachers killed in the War of Liberty; thereafter, the Slovenian President will have a meeting with Toomas Savi, Chairman of the Riigikogu, and Prime Minister Mart Siimann. At 16.30, the Heads of State will give a press conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tonight, President Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri will host a dinner at the House of Blackheads in honour of the President of Slovenia and Mrs. Stefka Kučan. The text of the speech given by the Estonian Head of State will be forwarded after the dinner.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 24, 1998

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