Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
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APPENDIX 16<br />
HELSINKI-TALLINN EUROPE FORUM<br />
The main elements of <strong>Estonia</strong>’s <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong>’s competitiveness are security,<br />
prudent political leadership <strong>and</strong> sustainable development. These three<br />
dimensions st<strong>and</strong> in an interactive relationship but are also closely linked to the<br />
global competitiveness of the European Union. In the global context, business<br />
<strong>and</strong> related interests on the one h<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> politics <strong>and</strong> security policy on the<br />
other are intrinsically intertwined <strong>and</strong> their mutual relations are sensitive.<br />
Awareness of real political <strong>and</strong> economic challenges <strong>and</strong> their transparent<br />
processing from various angles as well as mutual underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>between</strong><br />
key politicians <strong>and</strong> businessmen are topical issues in <strong>Estonia</strong>, Finl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the<br />
rest of Europe. However, there is no <strong>for</strong>um in Europe at present <strong>for</strong> regularly<br />
addressing <strong>and</strong> analyzing the links <strong>between</strong> business <strong>and</strong> politics <strong>and</strong> their<br />
mutual implications.<br />
A summit meeting of top executives called European Business Leaders<br />
Convention (EBLC) has been held in Finl<strong>and</strong> every two years since 2003. The<br />
purpose of this exclusive <strong>for</strong>um of executives <strong>and</strong> experts is to carry on <strong>for</strong>wardlooking<br />
discussions on Europe’s challenges <strong>and</strong> opportunities. No business<br />
<strong>for</strong>um of a st<strong>and</strong>ard equivalent to EBLC has ever been organized in <strong>Estonia</strong>.<br />
The second Lennart Meri Seminar was held in <strong>Estonia</strong> last March to address<br />
<strong>for</strong>eign <strong>and</strong> security policy issues in Europe. The seminar has quickly achieved<br />
a unique status because of its high-level participants <strong>and</strong> profound approach<br />
to issues. No similar event is organized in Finl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
<strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> could field a joint proposal <strong>for</strong> convening a Europewide<br />
<strong>for</strong>um focusing on the links <strong>between</strong> business <strong>and</strong> politics, <strong>and</strong> related<br />
challenges. Such a step would certainly increase the visibility of Finnish-<br />
<strong>Estonia</strong>n cooperation <strong>and</strong> give added weight to both countries in addressing<br />
topical European issues.<br />
The conference could be held in <strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> in alternating years. It<br />
could be organized jointly by the EBLC Council <strong>and</strong> the Organizing Committee<br />
from Finl<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> the International Centre <strong>for</strong> Defence Studies (Rahvusvaheline<br />
Kaitseuuringute Keskus) <strong>and</strong> the Lennart Meri Europe Foundation from<br />
<strong>Estonia</strong>.<br />
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