On the Estonian experience of integration

Estonia quite painfully went through the financial crisis that had affected many countries of the world, including Europe. This Baltic country is even called model for the European Union. On November 16 the new Ambassador of the Estonian Republic to Ukraine, Lauri

LEPIK, presented his credentials to the president of Ukraine. In an exclusive interview with The Day, Mr. Lepik, a librarian turned diplomat, told about the experience that Estonia is prepared to share with Ukraine and about what Tallinn thinks of the trials of some former Ukrainian ministers.

“IT IS GOOD THAT PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING OUR EXPERIENCE”

Mr. Ambassador, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday [the interview was recorded on November 15. – Author] that Europe was going through the gravest crisis after World War II and called for building a new Europe. What is Estonia’s vision of a new Europe?

“I think my country is one of Europe’s most integrated countries. We are members of the EU, NATO, and the Schengen area. We joined the eurozone on January 1, 2011. It is Estonia’s deliberate policy. I think a so high degree of integration inspires a strong feeling of certainty, stability, predictability, and promotes the development of our state and people.

“But, as for a new Europe, this debate is at the very beginning. There are different ideas. I think we will be discussing all these matters. Our experience shows: the more one is integrated into the European Union, the better. I do not think we should opt for a two-speed European Union. It is very important that all EU members be equal. And if this debate begins, we will have to weigh up all the circumstances and make a joint decision.”

The German weekly Der Spiegel recently carried an article on your country titled “Estonia as a Model for the EU,” and yesterday’s issue of the Canadian Globe and Mail published the article “Estonia’s star shines in debt crisis – but for how long?” What is your attitude to this kind of publications?

“Of course, it is very interesting to read articles on my country. Let us say it frankly: it is good that people are discussing our experience. It is good that people are seriously inquiring about how we rode out the crisis. But I think our 20-year experience of reforms shows that one should try to solve his problems on his own. We had very many advisors. When we were introducing our own currency in 1992, everybody advised us not to do so. We were told it was impossible. I mean one must weigh up all the viewpoints and make a decision, although there can be some very interesting advice.”

“OUR POLICY OF INTEGRATION IS SUCCESSFUL”

The Estonian and Russian press often prints articles about the integration of non-Estonians into Estonian society. For example, the Riigikogu member Anders Herkel says there were quite good preconditions for the rallying of Estonians and non-Estonians. What will you say to this?

“I can affirm that our experience of integrating the population of Estonia – the Estonians, Russians, Ukrainians, and Jews – is a great success. We began to work in this direction long ago. The conditions we have created allow every individual who lives and works in Estonia to receive citizenship and take part in local life. Non-citizens, too, can participate in local elections and work in their trade at any organizations. And those who know both the Russian and Estonian have more opportunities to find a job. Our policy of integration is successful and can serve as a model for other countries. We can see that the states that criticized us in the 1990s are now following our example and implementing the projects that we have successfully put into practice.”

Do these projects also include the policy of a 60-percent Estonian language medium in Russian schools?

“I think a part of the population supports this policy, for it is essentially aimed at encouraging most of the native Russian speakers to send their children to Estonian-medium kindergartens. There are also those who criticize this policy, but they are in the minority. Of course, constructive criticism is always useful, for in this case we can modify and improve our policies.”

What do you think of the fact that Nord Stream is now a reality, even though many countries of Eastern Europe protested against it?

“Yes, it is a reality. We were cri-tical of the decision to build this pipeline because we believed it was an act of so-lidarity on the part of the EU. It was a decision of two countries: Germany and Russia. Only then was there an attempt to explain that it was also a decision of the EU which is involved in this project.”

“I WANTED TO HELP BUILD A NEW ESTONIA”

Mr. Ambassador, how come you, a librarian, turned into a diplomat?

“It was quite simple. I worked at the National Library of Estonia for 5 or 6 years and did a postgraduate course in Saint Petersburg. And in 1991, when we began to restore our statehood, I was 30. I was the library’s deputy director for research and faced a dilemma: to start from scratch and become a diplomat or to stay on at the former workplace. I finally decided to try myself out in civil service. I wanted to help build a new Estonia. In 1992 I entered the Estonian School of Diplomats and did an international course for novice diplomats at Leeds University. Then I was employed at the Fo-reign Ministry. I worked as deputy ambassador in Washington between 1996 and 2000. My wife is also a diplomat and an ambassador. When I was in Washington, she went on a four-year leave and was a housewife. In 2000 she was appointed ambassador to Berlin, and it was my turn to go on a four-year leave. I worked then at the Estonian Institute of Foreign Policy as an expert who often visited Berlin. I finished writing my dissertation there at Humboldt University. In 2005 we were sent to Brussels: my job was deputy head of Estonia’s mission at NATO.”

Is the mission in Ukraine your first ambassadorial appointment?

“Yes, it is.”

Did you want to be appointed to no other place than Ukraine?

“Certainly. It is a very important country for us. Ukraine is of a top priority in our foreign policy. So I am very glad that I was destined to perform my first mission as ambassador in Kyiv.”

What tasks did Tallinn assign you?

“My No. 1 task is to develop our bilateral relations, trade, and cultural ties – all that unites our people. I must say, of course, that I am not doing it from scratch. My task is to find new initiatives and new shades in the development of relations between the two countries.

“And, as we are in the EU and NATO, I was assigned the task of helping to work out a joint attitude of the European Union and the alliance towards Ukraine.”

As you have touched upon the EU subject, I would like to know about Estonia’s attitude to what is going on in Ukraine. I mean the conviction of Yulia Tymoshenko and the imprisonment of many members of the ex-premier’s cabinet. Is this going to hinder the signing of the agreements on association and a free trade area?

“We strongly support Ukraine’s aspiration to conclude an agreement on association and a free trade area. We consider it very important. The latest news about the latest round of negotiations is quite optimistic. I hope we will bring this process to the end.”

“PEOPLE MUST BE SURE THAT COURTS AND JUSTICE ARE FAIR”

Last week Kyiv received German Minister of State Cornelia Pieper who said that the German side’s condition for signing this agreement as liberation of political prisoners, including Tymoshenko and other oppositionists. What can you say on this matter?

“I think one of the very important factors for the development of every state that aspires for EU membership is confidence of the population in justice. People must be sure that courts and justice are fair. I do not think that the trials now underway in Ukraine will increase this confidence. And, no matter whether or not a country wishes to get closer to the EU, this factor is in itself very important. Nobody can help here anybody. It is the authorities and the lawmakers that are supposed to make decisions and carry out reforms in order to increase the feeling of fairness and confidence in courts. I think it is also one of the crucial moments for this country’s domestic development.”

You said you would do your best to develop bilateral relations. But of the elements that promote this is the business climate in the country you stay in. Do you think it is improving in Ukraine?

“The business climate can and must be improved always. I do not know so far how many minutes, hours or days it takes one to launch a new business in Ukraine. All I know is that this can be done in 18 minutes in Estonia. It takes one this period of time to register a new enterprise. I think that facts like this are self-explanatory. What I said about stability and predictability also applies to the business climate. If the law changes every other day, it is rather difficult to attract businesspeople here.

“I think you have an enormous potential. I know that some Estonian businessmen are doing quite successfully in your country.”

And they are not going to leave, as some Polish investors are?

“I don’t know. I don’t think they are going to do so. The people who have a longtime experience of working in Ukraine usually feel comfortable. Of course, there are some problems. And I, as an ambassador, deal every day with the specific problems of Estonian businesses. It is my duty. I think we will try to encourage our businessmen to evince interest in Ukraine. But it is not a simple thing to do.”

“WE CAN SHARE EXPERIENCE IN ESTABLISHING AN E-GOVERNMENT”

Have you referred these questions to the Presidential Administration yet?

“Yes, I do this as well. We have some problems which I will try to solve. We have some positive experience of an intergovernmental commission. We are now coordinating a date for the next meeting of this commission.

“We can share experience in establishing an e-government and all that this involves. We have experience and projects that may be interesting for the Ukrainian side. I hope that the first session of the intergovernmental commission with my participation will provide a positive impetus to the development of relations between the two countries.”

Can you give an example of the projects that aroused the interest of the Ukrainian side?

“It is positive that the Ukrainian government is showing interest in our pension reform. As for the e-government, we can assist you with some concrete projects. There are two aspects here: the work of the government itself with or without papers, and the way individuals can make use of these projects which the state is to offer electronically. We have some very interesting experience here. As for the tax policy, more than 98 percent of Estonian individuals and businesses are using the Tax Department’s electronic forms. There also are some other forms that will help people deal with the state without bureaucrats.”

How does the Estonian diaspora in Ukraine feel? Have there been any infringements of their rights?

“There is an Estonian cultural association in Ukraine, with branches in Kharkiv and the Crimea. There are very old Estonian villages in the Crimea – we marked the 150th anniversary of their foundation this year. My country will try to help them every year. We are sending there a teacher from Estonia. Those people are very active, they always gather, they have their own ensembles. I am very pleased with their activities.”

Are you going to learn the Ukrainian language and join the group of the ambassador who already speak it?

“I have such an intention. I have just been here for three months only. It took me a lot of time to ‘psych me up.’ My immediate task is to move to a new embassy building on 43b, Pushkinska Str., in early 2012. This work takes very much time. Last week I met Mr. Popov and told him frankly that I was greatly satisfied with the way the city hall works and tackles the ubiquitous technical problems.”