The “Glance at the Mirror” is a selection of the most prominent, vivid, exciting articles that have been published in 2009 about
The “Glance at the Mirror 2010” is being compiled for the tenth year in a row, which makes it an anniversary year for the publication. To make the publication even more special and attractive, the Ministry invited distinguished and eminent representatives of the different areas of life covered in the “Glance at the Mirror” to write a short essay.
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Veiko Õunpuu’s second feature, “The Temptation of St. Tony”, was chosen as the first Estonian film to screen at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA.
The goal of the visit was to expand the spectrum of Estonia-USA co-operation to include more European Union topics. Prior to the Copenhagen Climate Conference, the preparations for achieving an international climate agreement were of particular interest. The meetings clearly confirmed that the US Senate and administration are ready to make a serious contribution.
After the EU-USA summit, co-operation opportunities were specified in the areas of energy, justice and internal affairs, and development co-operation, as well as within the framework of EU Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership. Kaja Tael and Mariin Ratnik expressed satisfaction over the USA’s clear readiness for expanded co-operation and communication in all of these sectors. The US side was interested in the Treaty of Lisbon coming into effect and further EU enlargement, as well as Estonia’s general economic situation and efforts to join the euro-zone.
]]>US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expressed his sympathy for the Estonian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and thanked Estonia for its remarkable contributions to ISAF. Also discussed were different options regarding the continuation of Estonian-US military co-operation in Afghanistan.
Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo pointed out that although for the duration of the elections Estonia has been the biggest per capita contributor to Afghanistan with two infantry companies, keeping up such a presence is not sustainable. "We have come to a common conclusion with the Americans that our military co-operation in Afghanistan should continue primarily with the human intelligence specialists (HUMINT) and also in the context of the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan," said Aaviksoo.
At the meeting, Aaviksoo and Gates agreed that strategic success in Afghanistan is vital since otherwise the region will become a gathering place of mythical significance for Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists.
"At the same time the Afghanistan mission also serves the function of our collective defense - out-of-area constitute one aspect of collective defense because they serve the protection of the interests of all the NATO member states. The problem lies in the fact that we have not yet succeeded in making this simple truth clear and understandable to the general public," said Aaviksoo.
Also discussed at the meeting were questions relating to NATO contingency planning and defense budgets. According to Aaviksoo, the topic of contingency planning has had a higher profile for the public since President Barack Obama's speeches at the Strasbourg-Kehl and Prague summits. "Contingency Plans that address all considerable dangers are a natural and routine part of NATO activities," said the Estonian Minister of Defense.
"When it comes to defense expenditures it is regrettable that only a few NATO member states have been able to fulfill their obligations. In order to give NATO the capability to offer support to its Member States when it is needed, everyone has to start investing in the creation of deployable capabilities," said Aaviksoo.
Aaviksoo said that for Estonia the presence and visibility of the US in Europe and its mutual trust and support are very important. "Very often it is most important to consult and to confer with one another before making major decisions," the Minister of Defense said.
Relations between NATO and Russia were also amongst the topics discussed at the meeting. "It is very clear that considering the actual strategic challenges facing Russia we have to engage in constructive co-operation with them. But that means that we have to have an elementary level of trust, which is still a long way off," Aaviksoo stated.
Additional information:
Peeter Kuimet
Press Officer of the Ministry of Defence
Tel: +372 717 0116 / +372 56 56 41
peeter.kuimet@kmin.ee
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Estonia will be represented in the main programme (for ages 6-12 years) of the biggest kids’ festival ever to be held in Washington by the Puppet Film Studio. In the workshops taking place in schools in Washington and the surrounding area, clips from puppet films will be shown and kids will be guided through the making of a puppet film. “The theme for all our workshops will be the sea and the customs associated with it,” explained Mait Laas, the director of Estonian Nukufilm Studio.
Kinobuss (Mikk Rand and Märten Vaher), which presented very successfully last year, will also be participating in the festival. This year they will organize seminars for teachers and share opportunities for using film as an interesting method of instruction.
A free screening will also take place within the framework of the festival. Anybody who is interested will be able to watch the children’s puppet films “Miriam’s Stories” and “Carrot” and take part in workshops.
The Kids Euro Festival being held from 15 October to 10 November is taking place in Washington, D.C. for the second year in a row, as last year it was more successful than anyone had anticipated. The idea for the festival came from France, which held the European Union presidency for the second half of 2008. All 27 EU member states are participating in the festival. There are 150 free performances taking place within the event. The patron of the festival is First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama.
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Washington
More information:
http://www.kidseurofestival.org/index.php
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