Estonian minister: Putin statement has to be taken seriously

Photo: Raigo Pajula

 Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet has said he takes seriously the words said by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday about improving the relations between Estonia and Russia and does not regard them as pure diplomatic courtesy.

"At the presentation of credentials various sentences are said and sometimes nothing is said at all at the presentation of credentials. I would indeed take the words of the president of the neighboring country seriously," Paet told BNS.

As the minister said, it has been a goal for Estonia all the time to have continuously good relations with all its neighbors, including Russia.

"Looking at the cooperation of recent times and its intensification in many areas, the development has been positive. If we look at economic relations and contacts between individuals, such as tourism or communication between various ministries, relations clearly have moved toward the better in recent years. A direction like that could continue. It's very positive when the president of Russia sees a need to develop relations with Estonia further," Paet said.

Paet said it was normal for relations between two countries to be businesslike, contentful and mutually respectful.

Accepting credentials from the new Estonian ambassador Juri Luik on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready to promote constructive relations with Estonia.

"We are neighbors. Our interests coincide in many areas. We propose building on this positive potential," Putin was quoted by Interfax as saying.

Russia is prepared to build constructive relations with Estonia "following the principles of good neighborliness and respect for each other's interests," the Russian president said at the ceremony held in the Alexander Hall of the Grand Palace of the Kremlin.

The Russian president received on Thursday the letters of credence of 19 new ambassadors, representing respectively Australia, Benin, the Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Mexico, Moldova, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Serbia, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, and Sweden.

President Ilves appointed Luik the new Estonian ambassador to Russia in June 2012.