The President of the Republic noted that political, economic and defence contacts between Estonia and the United States were livelier and more substantive than ever before. President Rüütel thanked the Ambassador for the United States' active support to Estonia's accession to NATO.
Ambassador DeThomas observed that Estonia and the United States of America enjoyed a unique relationship, and emphasized Estonia's importance to the United States as a partner. Both the President of the Republic and the Ambassador of the United States of America opined that transatlantic bonds in future, too, were important to promoting relations between our two countries.
In recognition of the Ambassador's services, President Rüütel conferred on him the 1st Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana.
Public Relations Unit of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, June 29, 2004
