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President of the Republic on the Opening of Tallinn Airport on December 10, 1999
10.12.1999

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear fellow countrymen.

Everything has already been said. I would just like to say that an airport is one of these strange buildings, whose quality is measured by the brevity of time one has to spend there. I fully agree with the words of Mr. Rein Loik, because one quiet Saturday, when I visited this building site, I was convinced that this frame here had indeed acquired a completely new content. I am sure that half an hour later, and also half a year later, we can still heartily congratulate our builders. This building certainly is functional, and able to
fulfil the purposes we expect of an airport.

Most of all, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this building was built for a loan, and now we have to start earning money to pay it back. Estonia's background is small, and thus the airport must at once start making plans for enlarging our economic background. There is of course the word transit, and hence it is easy to reach the conclusion that transit rests on three whales: trust, trust, and trust. The trust of Estonian accuracy, of the Estonian efficiency, and one more thing I would like to emphasise – unlike the time when I returned home from Osaka, when I emphasised other things.

I wish that the airport staff would learn to greet people. Learn to smile to the customers and show that they understand – the payment of the loan and the ensuring of this airport first and foremost depends on whether people wish to come here or not. These are the gates to Tallinn, and in this sense you have much more in your hands than just an airport. The key to the gate through which Estonia, with her head held high and I hope also with pride, will enter the European Union, is also yours to keep. Learn to smile. To be polite. Thank you.

 

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