President Rüütel highlighted the good relationship between Estonia and Lithuania, which, since the restoration of our independence, has yielded very valuable results. "I am very glad indeed that the Baltic States proceed together along the chosen way, support each other and are successful in their endeavours. Also in future, we have to see our role just in the same manner. As members of the European Union and NATO, we will face new challenges and we have to think jointly how to develop a common area of well-balanced security and economy in the whole region," the President said.
According to the Lithuanian Ambassador, Lithuania always had admired Estonia's rapid integration into Europe. Ambassador Vinkus also spoke with appreciation about how the local elections had been carried out in Estonia - an event, which is facing Lithuania on December 22. The Ambassador repeated the invitation presented to the President of Estonia by the Lithuanian Head of State, to meet after the Prague Summit in Vilnius.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 31, 2002
