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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FOREWORD<br />
<strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> are very close to each other both as states <strong>and</strong> nations. At<br />
almost all levels <strong>and</strong> sectors of society, the relations <strong>between</strong> the two countries<br />
are exceptionally intense. Very likely, the relations would have evolved to the<br />
point at which they are today even without any additional push given by the<br />
<strong>Estonia</strong>n <strong>and</strong> Finnish governments. Even so, in 2002 Prime Ministers Paavo<br />
Lipponen <strong>and</strong> Siim Kallas held that it could be useful to examine the bilateral<br />
relations in a less unorthodox manner <strong>and</strong> explore the potential shared future<br />
outlook in view of the time when both countries would be members of the<br />
European Union.<br />
As a result, a report named <strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> in the European Union was<br />
drafted by Jaak Jõerüüt, a <strong>for</strong>mer <strong>Estonia</strong>n Ambassador to Finl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Esko<br />
Ollila, a <strong>for</strong>mer governor of the Bank of Finl<strong>and</strong>. In the report, both authors<br />
presented their own view of the future relations <strong>between</strong> the two countries<br />
<strong>and</strong> issued over <strong>for</strong>ty proposals <strong>for</strong> action <strong>for</strong> the purpose of promoting the<br />
relations. Most of the recommendations have already been implemented.<br />
Five years later in June 2007, Prime Ministers Andrus Ansip <strong>and</strong> Matti Vanhanen<br />
decided to launch a project to draft a new report addressing the future relations<br />
<strong>between</strong> <strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong>. Jaakko Blomberg, Finl<strong>and</strong>’s <strong>for</strong>mer Ambassador<br />
to <strong>Estonia</strong>, <strong>and</strong> Gunnar Okk, Vice-President of the Nordic Investment Bank,<br />
were invited to write the report.<br />
The main aim of this new report is to generate ideas on how <strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong><br />
can respond to the challenges presented by globalization in collaboration rather<br />
than individually <strong>and</strong> how the two countries can support each other in improving<br />
their competitiveness. The prime ministers were particularly interested in the<br />
potential <strong>for</strong> cooperation in education, research <strong>and</strong> innovation, <strong>and</strong> energy<br />
issues. No preconditions were laid down <strong>for</strong> the report in terms of <strong>for</strong>m,<br />
subjects addressed, structure or scope.<br />
Just like the authors of the first report, the undersigned have, over the past<br />
few months, talked to a number of experts <strong>and</strong> people representing a wide<br />
range of activities both in <strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong>. Many useful comments were<br />
also received in writing. We wish to thank all those who dedicated their time<br />
<strong>and</strong> ef<strong>for</strong>t in discussing the issues <strong>and</strong> those who were involved in preparing<br />
the report. The <strong>for</strong>eign ministries of both countries have supported our work.<br />
Credit must also go to Ruta Rannat, who was responsible <strong>for</strong> most of the<br />
translations <strong>and</strong> language revision. Although the report is not an academic<br />
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