President: We do not quite trust our government

There is a clear dividing line between the Baltics, skeptical of government messages, and the rest of Europe, President Alar Karis tells Postimees in an interview.. Photo: Madis Veltman

The looming coronavirus winter will likely not see a second Baltic bubble, while there is a clear dividing line between the Baltics, skeptical of government messages, and the rest of Europe, President Alar Karis tells Postimees in an interview.

You highlighted several important avenues of cooperation, such as cybersecurity and climate change, during your meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. How would you phrase your foreign policy priorities? What kind of a foreign policy does Estonia need?

Our priorities are already set in some respects. We are part of the European Union, which is where our foreign policy priorities stem from. However, mutual relations with different countries are also important and one reason for being here in Helsinki. That also goes for Lithuania and Poland.

The European Union has countries that feel differently or have not taken a stance on certain matters. We need to communicate with all our neighbors.

While relations with neighbors are usually seen as smooth sailing and common values, are there any bottlenecks or problems?

You are right to point out that statements according to which everything is better than it used to be come with the territory. There are differences of opinion between friends, while I find that to be normal in some ways.

“Baltic cooperation” is an expression that is often thrown around, while I think we haven’t quite perfected it. We always have differences. Such differences exist today between us and Lithuania regarding some matters. We must also see where Poland’s supreme court ruling ends up – a dialogue with the EU needs to be pursued.

These are all different views, and it is our task to find sympathizers instead of limiting ourselves to Baltic cooperation. If we want to make a statement, we need to seek a broader alliance than just Latvia, Lithuania or Finland.

A small country does not have too many options. While we can introduce initiatives by ourselves, we need to find friends to take them forward.

While we’re on the subject of Lithuania – the country’s decisions for an eastern energy blockade are threatening to leave us with a harsh winter and hefty power bills. (Lithuania said in September that it will limit Baltic power trade with Russia and Belarus – ed.) Will Estonia and Latvia continue to support this policy or will we try and influence Lithuania to mitigate these positions?

There is pressure. The country’s decision to pull out clearly affects us too. I have consulted with our energy minister in terms of what it mean for us or how quickly we would be able to react should Russia also take steps.

The hybrid war on the border is another burning issue for the southern Balts. What other aid can Estonia provide and is there a line we will not cross?

The thing with help is that it is usually sought. We are from a time when help was offered even when no one asked. And it was largely the case with Lithuania, we just sent our people over and helped build the fence.

But we need to think about whether something like that could happen here and whether we are ready. I spoke to my Finnish colleague Sauli Niinistö about it yesterday (the day before – ed.) and he said Finland has the experience from 2015 when a lot of people crossed the border from Russia.

Hybrid warfare is a little different for every country. We have been fortunate in that this wave of migrants did not cross our border. But we are talking about the EU border here none the less and it ultimately makes little difference. Hence the expression that the Estonian border is now in Lithuania. It matters to us, not just Lithuania.

Unfortunately, the Baltics are among back markers when it comes to combating the coronavirus. People still vividly remember travel restrictions and closed borders. Are any plans being discussed to prevent a disaster in the Baltic countries?

There are no plans for another Baltic bubble. The coronavirus has demonstrated the fragility of the EU. Beautiful words come easy when times are good, while countries quickly returned to worrying about their own populations once the crisis hit, which is entirely understandable.

However, the fact Eastern Europe has the lowest vaccination rates also has to do with having little trust in the government and what its members say.

Compared to other states, such as Denmark or Finland, where even recommendations are complied with as if they were orders.

Do you plan to meet with your Latvian colleague and when?

The date is set for November 5, with the meeting taking place in Estonia. Because we already visited Latvia, I figured we could host them this time.