Dear Mr. Luman,
Members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for me to celebrate with you the 75th anniversary of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Although the activities of the Chamber founded in 1925 were interrupted for decades in the meanwhile, you have again acquired a distinguished place in today's Estonia.

2945 members is a weighty number. If we add that the members of the Chamber provide 80% of Estonia's export, the important role of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in shaping the economic climate of Estonia becomes especially manifest.

Your role in present-day Estonia is wider than that of separate professional organisations, because you represent the whole of Estonia's wide economic spectre. This enables the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to have an influential say in drafting legislation, as well as in the conduct of economic reforms and, through participation democracy, in directing trading companies and foundations. With opening your offices at Jõhvi, Tartu, Pärnu and Kuressaare, you have proved that business can also be made outside Tallinn.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has arranged seminars introducing Estonia to foreign businessmen, and helped to extend the activities of Estonian enterprises abroad. Here, the state and the enterprises have co-operated actively. I am glad that many of those present here have accompanied me on several state visits, of which the presentation of Estonia as an opportunity of trade and investments has always been an indelible part.

Our co-operation gains importance on our way to the European Union. The accession process presents real demands to us. We must not merely harmonise our legislation, but also prepare Estonian enterprises for the strong competition of Europe and for high demands of the consumer and the environment. The European Union means above all high quality of life, and therefore also a change of attitude.

I would like to thank all enterprises that have in their business activities reached the point where they consider it possible to support culture, medicine, and science. President of the Republic's Cultural Foundation has received several donations that have enabled us to issue scholarships and grants and, to mention our most extensive project so far, to arrange exhibitions of Estonian paintings in Tallinn and in Berlin and soon, hopefully, also in Paris. It is in fact so that our art exhibition has awoken some interest in France, and President Chirac has personally offered his assistance in presenting Estonian art in Paris already in early summer next year. This would be our next step in presenting Estonia to the big nations of Europe through culture, as it is the common cultural background that underpins the European Union and its common values.

As you know, Estonia has set herself the goal to be prepared for accession to the European Union by the end of the year 2002. It was pleasant to hear, during my last week's state visit to Germany, from all the German leaders of the state that Germany supports quick internal reform of the European Union and the accepting of new members by the candidates' own merits. Thus, we have to go on working just as hard as we have worked, and with an even stronger feeling of perspective.

Ladies and gentlemen,

on these conditions, we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry already in the European Union. For this, I wish you strength and stamina, and readiness to face new challenges.

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