Dr. Lambsdorff expressed his delight that the Naumann Foundation had the possibility to celebrate its jubilee at the moment when Estonia that always had belonged to Europe had again become a part of Europe formally too. He added that not only Estonia but also the whole of Europe were indebted to President Rüütel for his great contribution to the positive outcome of the Estonian referendum on September 14.
The President of the Republic thanked the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Dr. Lambsdorff personally for their great support to Estonia, and added that we owed our achievements in developing society to our joint efforts.
Thereafter, they addressed more thoroughly Estonia's accession to the European Union and its probable influence on the relationship between Estonia and Russia. They also touched upon social and economic issues both in Estonia and Germany.
Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 15, 2003
