In Crimea, there were three major Estonian communities in Simferopol, Yalta, and Krasnodarka. As one of their problems, the Crimean Estonians mentioned to the President the complicated visa procedures for visiting Estonia that hinder their relations with home country.
President Meri said that there are never too many Estonians in Estonia and invited everybody to come to Estonia. He also said that Estonia would be very glad when the Ukrainian Estonians could help to promote the co-operation between the two friendly countries. The President also assumed that the Crimean Estonian Society could help the local Estonians to prove their Estonian origin.
President of the Republic said that Estonia would be glad to render more help to the Estonian schools and societies outside Estonia, and that next year, it would be good to send Estonian journals to the bigger societies. The President told the Crimean Estonians how Estonia defends her national interests and supports the compatriots outside Estonia. President Meri also spoke of the summit starting today in Yalta and promised to send to the Crimean Estonian Society the big national flag of Estonia.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 10, 1999
