Postimees digest, Thursday, February 7
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Postimees
Editorial: time gives meaning to things accomplished
Time puts things in their proper perspective. With this year’s decorations now awarded, this is twice true.
When, in 2009, president Toomas Hendrik Ilves decided to keep the decorations-list under hundred, many wondered. Up to them we had gotten used to somewhat longer lists, reaching 795 (by Lennart Meri in 2001) or even 834 persons (by Arnold Rüütel, 2006).
Back then, a mere hundred decorations seemed too few, Estonia being filled with people worthy of honour and state-level recognition.
Not that there are less of such people today. However, by now we may safely say that the four «short list years» have restored to the decorations their weight and value – slightly tarnished in times past. Presidential recognition is of a unique and special calibre – duly underlined by the present arrangements.
At summit, Estonia to try boosting agricultural aid growth
At the two-day EU 2014-2020 budget talks kicked off in Brussels today, Estonia has hopes of a better deal than initially proposed by Commission. A question mark, however, hovers over Rail Baltica.
This afternoon, as the EU leaders gather to discuss the budget and facing cuts to the tune of €30bn, heated arguments are expected. According to November’s proposal, Estonia’s share of the next EU budget would be €5.88bn.
Estonia is among the few member states with net position – the balance of support received from and payments made to EU budget – improved since initial offer by European Commission. In most cases, it has worsened. At the same time, the overall budget volume has, as compared to the original plan, been cut by €80bn already.
Eesti Energia to resend 40,000 invoices.
Energy giant Eesti Energa has said that a software error caused the company to send 40,000 clients incorrect invoices for January. The firm offered an apology and said it will send clients correct invoices by tomorrow. The average calculation error was 0.01 cents and was caused by the company's computer system falling one hour behind the stock market price for a time.
President to bestow honors on 99 people.
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves has signed a decision to give state awards to 99 people this year. Estonia will commend those who have exhibited great professional character, ingenuity, persistence and courage, reads the foreword of the decision. "Estonia will also thank our supporters abroad, people who understand our goals and aspirations and thanks to whom we have grown stronger and more steadfast," the President wrote.
Number of foreclosures on the rise.
Banks foreclosed on property in 1,300 cases last year, making for the highest annual figure since the economic crisis four years ago and a growth of 56 percent compared to 2011. Bad loans nevertheless made up a rather small part of the loan portfolios of banks.