This morning, President Lennart Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri began their official visit to the Republic of Turkey. After his arrival in Turkey, President Meri laid a wreath to the grave of Atatürk, the first President of the Republic of Turkey. This was followed by the official welcoming ceremony at the Residence of the President of the Republic of Turkey, where the national anthems of both states were played and the Presidents Lennart Meri and Süleyman Demirel inspected the guard of honour.

On the meeting with the Estonian Head of State President Demirel recalled that during his state visit to Estonia last year the possibilities of Estonia becoming a member of NATO were discussed. ''I said that Estonia was an independent country, and thus free to decide which security organisations to join. Despite Russia's statements that NATO can not enlarge to the territory of the former USSR, I have supported Estonia's becoming a full member of NATO if Estonia so wishes,'' Demirel said. ''I assure you that Turkey is still firmly on the same unambiguous position. I will represent Turkey on the events of NATO's 50th anniversary in Washington in 1999, and will certainly defend Estonia's prospects of NATO membership there,'' the President of Turkey emphasised. He added, that after the NATO-Russia and NATO-Ukraine agreements the situation has cleared and the NATO enlargement process is under way. Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary are becoming NATO members after 1999. Ten years ago, no one would have dreamt about it, but today, this is reality. ''I repeat, we will support everything that is in Estonia's interest, you can rely upon us as your friend,'' President Demirel promised.

Besides security issues, also regional co-operation and bilateral relations were discussed on the meeting. Speaking of economic co-operation between the two countries, the Turkish President mentioned that in addition to the free trade agreement that is already in force, the double taxation prevention agreement and investment protection agreement will also have to be concluded for the legal basis of economic relations to be complete. As for co-operation in the field of culture, the Turkish President commended the introduction of Turkish studies in Tartu University, and the Estonian President mentioned the distinguished presentation of the music of Eduard Tubin in Turkey in January 1999.

President Lennart Meri said that Estonia and Turkey are communicating on the same meridian and that Estonian products are already sold in the Ukraine, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, and that as the relations develop, the co-operation along the meridian also becomes closer. Jaak Leimann, the Minister of Economy who is accompanying the Estonian Head of State, emphasised the openness of the Estonian economy, the radical process of privatisation and the rapidly developing field of tourism.

President Lennart Meri thanked Turkey for extensive support and congratulated the Turkish Head of State and the people of Turkey on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey that will be celebrated on October 29 this year.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 15, 1998

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