In Rome today, President Meri met Mr Romano Prodi, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic. The meeting focused on the enlargement of the European Union. According to Mr Prodi, Italy acts toward Estonia as a future EU member state and is committed to close collaboration throughout the negotiation process.

Both the Estonian head of state and the Italian head of government agreed that as the European Union expands it must see to maintaining a balance between Northern and Southern Europe. President Meri approved of the idea of the Nordic dimension, put forward by President Martti Ahtisaari of Finland; but he also recognized the importance of developments in the Mediterranean region. According to Mr Prodi, Italy considers it important to settle the internal reform of the European Union before it begins to expand.

Mr Prodi also assured the Estonian President that Italy thinks it necessary to expedite the abolition of the visa requirement and is dealing with the matter.

Romano Prodi recalled his visit to Tallinn last February and was pleased to hear that the Estonian guests also attach importance to the plan for deepening economic cooperation which he had initiated.

Another aspect touched upon at the meeting was the need to promote closer personal contacts between Estonian and Italian people, regarding both the economic and cultural fields as well as, for example, sports.


Press Service of the President’s Office
Kadriorg, 27 March 1998

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