Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus

ESTONIA AND FINLAND IN 2030: VISION
In many areas, the societies, economies and basic structures of Estonia and
Finland have converged. In both countries, global competitiveness is primarily
based on education, innovation, development efforts, the mutually adjusted
division of labour and the shared use of often limited resources. All the most
important development strategies and policies have been harmonized. The
public and privates sectors of the two countries cooperate in almost all areas.
By international standards, Estonia and Finland are regarded as the most
secure countries in Europe. Cooperation between Estonian and Finnish security
and law enforcement authorities serves as an example for other countries
on how to organize cross-border cooperation. Estonia and Finland operate
shared maritime and air space surveillance systems. No serious environmental
damage or accidents have happened in the Gulf of Finland. Estonia and Finland
were instrumental in creating a joint Baltic Sea-wide shipping control system
now used by all the Baltic rim countries. A railway tunnel between Helsinki and
Tallinn will open for traffic at the end of the year.
Estonia and Finland have not experienced any serious problems related to
energy security. Of the joint energy resources, approximately 50% comprise
nuclear energy, 30% renewable sources and 20% fossil fuels. Half of the
energy produced in Finland from coal and half in Estonia from oil shales is
produced without carbon dioxide emissions.
Broadband services are used all over Estonia and Finland and all citizens in
both countries avail themselves of data communications services. Two thirds
of Estonians and Finns use digital signatures and electronic authentication
with more than 80% using them in their transactions with the authorities
and companies. All key official registers in Estonia and Finland have been
implemented according to the same criteria thus making it possible to use
them cross border.
Estonia and Finland enjoy high esteem in Europe and are known for their
indigenous and diversified cultural life. Estonia and Finland constitute a
common research and development area and their Cross Gulf University is
a cooperation organ of high international standard. Thanks to the top-level
business and political forum held in Helsinki and Tallinn in alternating years,
the cities are known as the Davos focusing on Europe issues.
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