Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Officers and soldiers of the Estonian Border Troops,

I am glad that You honoured with Your presence the opening of the Center of Estonian Border Control. It is perhaps a small, but nevertheless international event. I would like to focus your attention on three points.

First, the importance Estonia gives to an effective control of her borders. We are fully aware that our eastern border will be the outer border of the European Union and already is the outer border for all those countries, with whom Estonia has signed visa-free agreements. In other words, we have invested into the free movement of people, goods and ideas within the European Union, knowing that before soon Estonia will join the Union as a member state. For a member of other regions the Estonian border is already a common border.

My second remark concerns our relationship with the Russian Federation. Estonia has been actively pursuing the policy of positive engagement with Russia, and our relations, as well as those of our neighbours, have been steadily improving. Paradoxically, a highly sophisticated well controlled border is a pre-condition for furthering an open and active co-operation with Russia. This seemingly paradoxical situation has a simple explanation. Our common border can be regarded as part of the general framework of Confidence Building and Security Measures. In this connection, allow me to express my deep satisfaction over yesterday's "Open Sky" flight, arranged jointly by Finland and Russia, despite the fact that the Russian parliament has not been willing to ratify the Open Sky agreement. Estonia has, together with its partners, emphasised that we would like to participate actively in the general menu of Confidence Building and Security Measures, agreed by all the member states of OSCE. The peaceful, stable and economically booming nature of the Nordic-Baltic region is an important part of building the new Europe. The well-being of the Baltic States is a vital part of Europe's stability and we are watching with deep sympathy Russia's present struggle for building an economically sound and democratic society. We have different views on security, but I am sure that the Estonian-Russian border must be regarded and understood as a tool for confidence building measures. The whole Baltoscandian region has become one of the major "points of contact" with Russia both for the European Union and also for NATO. Under President Yeltsin's leadership Russia's democracy and economy have had the chance to develop. Let me assure you that by presenting you a modern border Estonia regards herself as a European partner to all democratic forces in Russia, ready for deepening and enlarging our cooperation.

My third remark is a brief one and deals with the so-called asymmetric threats, the most important security challenge of the future. I am speaking about the proliferation of narcotics, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and the need to protect vulnerable infrastructures - against small groups of people, extremists or terrorists. Every country needs strong defence guidelines to counter these threats. I am sure that Estonian border troops will enjoy the full confidence of our partner-states and Russia and that the Estonian border will encounter all possible threats and remain an open border, a cornerstone for future friendly relations.

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