Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus

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